Am writing this blog as I see the sun about to set over the distant horizon. Have been on my hotel room window overlooking a hospital followed by a barren land and then some construction far far away.
Its rare to get such a clear view of sunset in our cities right till it just vanishes in the horizon. Being a weekend this is one of the rare luxuries I can afford to have for the day. Its been breathtaking and I have been gazing at this for last couple of hours, the color of sand and change in shades of the sky. On a clear day in a desert land this is breath taking, that too when there is little wind and no moisture in air. Sigh, this breathtaking view is being taken away from me for another day. As I now write this line, half the sun is only visible and rest half is below the horizon. So bad I don't have my camera, this would have been one of the rare shots I would have taken in this country, where photography is not encouraged. Sigh...what a sight just went by.
Now that I have been in Riyadh on this trip for 6 days now and have had various new and varied experiences. Some good, some a reminder of sorts yes things here are meant to be different and each an experience of its own. The climate is very hot and dry, not possible to walk beyond a few hundred meters for souls like us who are not used to this kind of dry heat. Takes time to get used to it. In this heat one thing i have been relishing is food. Riyadh would be a gastronomical delight. Its a melting pot of all Arabic cuisines and has good number of Persian outlets and to top that there is no dearth of eateries dishing out Indian cuisine.
I have been lately relishing Persian cuisine a lot and all veg at that. off course Shewarma / Kabab's here in Arabic and Persian cuisines are thing to go for, but there is no dearth of things for the vegetarians. Have been feasting on a regular basis on Hummus (made from Chickpeas), Matabul (Brinjal base), Tabula (coriander base), Fatoosh (veg Salad base preparation) among many other things. Unleavened Persian bread is also so like the ones we have in India. Just amazing.
Another thing we figured out is that food outlets in Riyadh catering to wide variety of economic class people. You can have a meal in Central Riyadh in as low as 8 Riyal (less than 100 Rs) to as high as your pocket permits. This is true for not just local food, even Indian. Also variety of sandwiches is awesome.
Ah, the foodie in me is back to talk about food. Well the only thing that has been troubling me is the need to carry passport as soon as you step out of the hotel. You need to have an id with you everytime, even when you are just stepping out for dinner. Have been told of some good Indian cuisine areas like Haara and Batha. Haara am told is fine but batha is best avoided, On Friday's its akin to Bhagirath palace on a weekday with just people and people, some who have overstayed their duration. Offcourse this is hearsay no way to validate it. Will try Haara some day, have time on side.
In these 6 days, right from the airport, there are signs of change even if i compare it to what was the situation 6 months back on the last trip. Though gradual, things appear to be more open. Not sure how it will be in next month in runup to Hajj. Well I would need to ensure tickets are done early, as in Hajj period getting tickets is difficult. No, people dont land up in Riyadh, they end up going to Jeddah, but connections into the hubs in gulf are full.
Anyways, its almost quarter past 6, let me head to the gym today, since pool is closed for some pool side party. Untill next time, take care.
Its rare to get such a clear view of sunset in our cities right till it just vanishes in the horizon. Being a weekend this is one of the rare luxuries I can afford to have for the day. Its been breathtaking and I have been gazing at this for last couple of hours, the color of sand and change in shades of the sky. On a clear day in a desert land this is breath taking, that too when there is little wind and no moisture in air. Sigh, this breathtaking view is being taken away from me for another day. As I now write this line, half the sun is only visible and rest half is below the horizon. So bad I don't have my camera, this would have been one of the rare shots I would have taken in this country, where photography is not encouraged. Sigh...what a sight just went by.
Now that I have been in Riyadh on this trip for 6 days now and have had various new and varied experiences. Some good, some a reminder of sorts yes things here are meant to be different and each an experience of its own. The climate is very hot and dry, not possible to walk beyond a few hundred meters for souls like us who are not used to this kind of dry heat. Takes time to get used to it. In this heat one thing i have been relishing is food. Riyadh would be a gastronomical delight. Its a melting pot of all Arabic cuisines and has good number of Persian outlets and to top that there is no dearth of eateries dishing out Indian cuisine.
I have been lately relishing Persian cuisine a lot and all veg at that. off course Shewarma / Kabab's here in Arabic and Persian cuisines are thing to go for, but there is no dearth of things for the vegetarians. Have been feasting on a regular basis on Hummus (made from Chickpeas), Matabul (Brinjal base), Tabula (coriander base), Fatoosh (veg Salad base preparation) among many other things. Unleavened Persian bread is also so like the ones we have in India. Just amazing.
Another thing we figured out is that food outlets in Riyadh catering to wide variety of economic class people. You can have a meal in Central Riyadh in as low as 8 Riyal (less than 100 Rs) to as high as your pocket permits. This is true for not just local food, even Indian. Also variety of sandwiches is awesome.
Ah, the foodie in me is back to talk about food. Well the only thing that has been troubling me is the need to carry passport as soon as you step out of the hotel. You need to have an id with you everytime, even when you are just stepping out for dinner. Have been told of some good Indian cuisine areas like Haara and Batha. Haara am told is fine but batha is best avoided, On Friday's its akin to Bhagirath palace on a weekday with just people and people, some who have overstayed their duration. Offcourse this is hearsay no way to validate it. Will try Haara some day, have time on side.
In these 6 days, right from the airport, there are signs of change even if i compare it to what was the situation 6 months back on the last trip. Though gradual, things appear to be more open. Not sure how it will be in next month in runup to Hajj. Well I would need to ensure tickets are done early, as in Hajj period getting tickets is difficult. No, people dont land up in Riyadh, they end up going to Jeddah, but connections into the hubs in gulf are full.
Anyways, its almost quarter past 6, let me head to the gym today, since pool is closed for some pool side party. Untill next time, take care.
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