صباح الخير ("Sabah el kheer" or Good Morning) friends. It's very early Sunday morning here in Saudi Arabia, and my work week is just beginning. I had two very relaxing days off and now I'm ready to start some training. We will be in the Red Sea Mall today and tomorrow.
Last night was great. We went to out to dinner with one of the GMs, Badr. We met up his friend Kazi who is Pakistani just moved to the KSA. On our way to dinner, Badr took us to the Red Sea and we watched the sunset. Look at how beautiful it was. I took many photos, but this is the one that I like the most. I was able to use the instagram app to make the colors feel more dramatic....what a great app!
Here is the non-Isntagram version:
For our first "local meal", we decided to have some traditional Turkish food. Much like America, Saudi Arabian food culture is partially made up of that of others. We went to this place that didn't look like much from the outside. As we arrived, the place looked run down and abandonded. There were metal grates pulled downover everything. The only sign of life was four boys sitting out front smoking. When I looked at the time, I realized that it was prayer time. Soon after wearied and stood in front of the restaurant inhaling exhaust fumes from the highway, the metal grates popped open and the restaurant sprang back into life.
Jason and I sat back and let Badr do all of the ordering for the table. The food was delishous. It was delivered to the table in the order that it was ready. First we had a plate of four different salads. In reality they were dips, but the translation to English comes out salad. There was traditional hummus as well as yogurt. In addition there was a potato salad and a spicy salsa. All were so delicious. This was served with a warmed flat type bread. Since I know allow you folks reading all love food, I've taken photos! Here's one of this dish:
On to the next course. This was a plate of kebabs, both meet and chicken on a bed of rice. The rice, although it looks plain, took on the favors of the different kinds of meat and really was tender and flavorful. Each bite of meat was delicious and had different seasoning and spices on it.
This was immediately followed two dishes that came out at the same time. One was a pizza of sorts. We had an assorted variety of spicy chicken or beef. Then came a sizzling hot dish that was cooked in a skillet. It was either meat or chicken and vegetables. Cheese was put put on top and then it was fire roasted until the cheese was sizzling and bubbling. Both of these dishes were so amazing. (I really loved the sizzling one, but then again who doesn't love hot melted cheese?)
To top of our meal we had a small glass of a hot green tea and some unique conversation.
Some of the topics were definitely off color and had we been in America would certainly not have been discussed around work people. This is how life differs in the Middle East. A lot of the topics that westerners see as taboo like race or salary are openly discussed.
You would think that after dinner that big we would be unable to move! Badr brought us to an outdoor cafe where sat around and chatted some more while smoking a hooka. Jason and I are both non-smokers, but figured that we had to experience smoking sheesa while we where in the KSA.
Here is the hooka itself:
Here's one of me:
I have to get ready for work now but I will share more details later about the sheesa experience.
All-inAll it was a great evening, we weren't out too late and we were able to experience a small piece of Saudi Arabian culture. I'm looking forward to next weekend when Jason and I will be going to Old Town!
What about you? How was your Saturday? Big night out for anyone? Email me and keep me posted on your life....jayliffejessup@wsgc.com. I can't wait to hear from you! Until then have a great day. (Good bye or"Ma’a salama ") مع السلامة
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