“Enjoy Saudi Arabia” - my friends told me  with the sarcastic smile, seeing me off in airport ready for the new extreme adventure

Saudi Arabia in 150 words:

Saudi Arabia occupies the majority of Arabian Peninsula, extremely rich in petrol and well known by its ultra-conservative Wahhabism religious movement within Sunni Islam which is predominant feature of Saudi culture. This feature provokes curiosity and disapproval from the rest of the world. As well as India, KSA is standing between two incompatible pylons VII the century Sharia law, based on Hadith scriptures and XXI century high level technical progress. Adaptation of fourteen century gap is not easily incorporated to the contemporary globalization. Visiting Saudi Arabia is as a trip to the past, époque of Crusades what we know from the history school classes.
Saudi Arabia has it’s own magic, conservative islam preserved the virginity of old traditions, old habits and purity of medieval religious perception.

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1.  Saudi traditional men's wear called a thawb, which has been called the "Arabic dress". During warm and hot weather, Saudi men and boys wear white thobes. Saudi  keffiyeh or kufiya pattern is generally red ad white.  Abaya is a women's wear, traditionally black, cut can be inritched with any decoration, head piece is generally matching the entire look.

2. Indian UMRAH pilgrims in Chennai airport. Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca, during anytime of the year, Hajj is reserved only for particular time. Numerous Umrah pilgrimages are not considered as Hajj. Men should wear the same garment during all procedure (garment is looking as a simple wrap around from a fabric very similar to white towel)

3. Roshands are the feature of many dwelling structures in Arabic, Pakistani and Northern India, combined natural light and ventilating window. Roshands are usually located high on a room's walls, and often on top of windows, or occupy all wall making the resemblance with the balconies. Emerald blue colour is very particular for Makkah region.

4. Mosque in Al-Balad.Traditional tall buildings of old Jeddah are tall and graceful, constructed of coral, limestone and decorated intricately with beautiful Indian or Javan teak facades which ventilate the houses as well as shade the narrow streets.

Old part of Jeddah - "Al Balad", now taken under charge of UNESCO world heritage

Life starts at midnight during the month of Ramadan

Alrahmah Mosque (Floating Mosque).  Al Rahma mosque beckons gently from the northern tip of Jeddah’s waterfront, a turquoise-domed structure built out across the Red Sea and anchored to the shore by a low-walled walkway.

Busy Balad life after Maghrib prayer. Al-Balad is the historical area of Jeddah, the second largest city of Saudi Arabia. Balad can literally be translated as "The City" it's the only old historical part of the City of Jeddah. Gold and perfume souk in al-Ballad.

Balad at the daytime. 

In Saudi traditional families women’s and men’s life is totally separated at home and in public places. Brother-in-law possibly never heard the voice or saw the face of his brother’s wife…

Dramatic tree and a cat. Cats are real invaders of the city and probably of all country. I never seen even one dog since 6 months!

Afgani souk. “Come-come, see my hand made carpets from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan! Pure wool, pure silk, pure quality - good price. Only for you today Ramadan discount!”
Back to 70th pilgrims were bringing carpets to Makkah, Medina and Jeddah for reselling and paying back their Hajj loans. Nowadays shop owner explained that for unknown reason, government banned this carpets “import”

Ramadan lights in Balad

Expat's beaches are separated from the rest of the world with two huge walls with prison looking gates. They are clean, tiny with extremely expensive entrance fees (just entrance is “provided”). Saudi nationals are not allowed (in their own country!) Unfortunately for the amazing coral reefs it makes more sense to fly to Egypt for the ween end. Bien dommage.....

Street in Al BAlad in couple miles from the seashore

Pakistani fabric market.
In every country while sketching outside, you meet a person who talk to you first and then will be taken  the initiative to defend you from the other viewers, explaining them that artist should not be troubled and declaring themyour artistic statement.

Diving -  is the main allowed distraction young generation

Hookah and nargile is smoked by men and women in all shapes, flavors and colors.

Life starts after the sunset when the air is cooling down. Amazing fairy tale sky covers heaven dome with billions of stars. Desert gives the same feeling as the sea. No wonder the caravans as marine were easily navigated by stars in ancient times.