Its Friday and weekly prayer day here. Post the daily routine of swim and breakfast, back to the hotel room. The markets are closed early in the day to let people visit mosques. We decided to visit a local mall to buy some munching stuff, well almost all shops including bakery were closed. We could find one general merchant store open, shopped and back to hotel. There were hardly any cars on road and parkings deserted.
Riyadh would be one of the few cities that can be classified as "Business Only". I said this yesterday and would repeat again. There is hardly any form of entertainment that we know and do. The definition of entertainment is very very different than what expats are used to. But then there are a lot of expats working in here. Lure of higher money is one prime reason with no taxes to pay. So how do these folks cope with it.
Here comes something called compound. No we are not talking about chemical compounds, but areas marked with walls and fences, kind of gated colonies where the expats live. At times these have their own schools, hospitals and shopping complexes inside. No locals live here. Its here within the four walls of compounds that's folks do not have restrictions on dresses and other stuff. Liquor is still not allowed. You cannot have it while in this country. If you need to step out of the compound you need to adhere to all rules of morality as defined in this society.
As expected getting into a compound needs invitation and getting a apartment has a huge waiting list. Its pretty expensive as well. But at-least there is an option. Even if within the four walled, gated, barbed compounds. Well you don't have regimented life inside. Some Compounds are said to ferment their own wine, but then I have not seen this nor can testify if this is correct or not.
we did see a compound close to newer commercial establishment in Riyadh, pretty massive at that but this one did not have a shopping complex of its own. There was one across the road from the compound and the females had to wear Abaya to enter it. That takes me to the mall at kingdom center and a notice at the entry. "This mall is under surveillance. Please abide by all expected behaviours of morality" or something like this. This will give you an idea of expectation from people in this part of the world.
Anyways, malls do open later in the day on Friday and we decided again to out. That being the only source of entertainment for us. I needed to buy some chocoloates and stuff to carry back. Some more shopping by colleagues and we were done for the day. Back in hotel and an early sleep. Tomorrow is Saturday and work week starts. Dont want to have Saturday morning blues particularly when I have get into a meeting early.
Riyadh would be one of the few cities that can be classified as "Business Only". I said this yesterday and would repeat again. There is hardly any form of entertainment that we know and do. The definition of entertainment is very very different than what expats are used to. But then there are a lot of expats working in here. Lure of higher money is one prime reason with no taxes to pay. So how do these folks cope with it.
Here comes something called compound. No we are not talking about chemical compounds, but areas marked with walls and fences, kind of gated colonies where the expats live. At times these have their own schools, hospitals and shopping complexes inside. No locals live here. Its here within the four walls of compounds that's folks do not have restrictions on dresses and other stuff. Liquor is still not allowed. You cannot have it while in this country. If you need to step out of the compound you need to adhere to all rules of morality as defined in this society.
As expected getting into a compound needs invitation and getting a apartment has a huge waiting list. Its pretty expensive as well. But at-least there is an option. Even if within the four walled, gated, barbed compounds. Well you don't have regimented life inside. Some Compounds are said to ferment their own wine, but then I have not seen this nor can testify if this is correct or not.
we did see a compound close to newer commercial establishment in Riyadh, pretty massive at that but this one did not have a shopping complex of its own. There was one across the road from the compound and the females had to wear Abaya to enter it. That takes me to the mall at kingdom center and a notice at the entry. "This mall is under surveillance. Please abide by all expected behaviours of morality" or something like this. This will give you an idea of expectation from people in this part of the world.
Anyways, malls do open later in the day on Friday and we decided again to out. That being the only source of entertainment for us. I needed to buy some chocoloates and stuff to carry back. Some more shopping by colleagues and we were done for the day. Back in hotel and an early sleep. Tomorrow is Saturday and work week starts. Dont want to have Saturday morning blues particularly when I have get into a meeting early.
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