Name That American Icon!!!

Can't get any more American than Harley-Davidson. I like this orange one.

















A & W! Root beer and chili dog anyone?













BK Lounge














There are Blimpies, Quiznos and many Subways, here.














A couple of the many Dunkin Doughnuts and Baskin Robbins. See the Cinnabon on the right?














Fudruckers, Applebees and Chilis are also in demand. Oh, don't forget Tony Roma's and their Carolina Barbeque sauce and Texas Chicken, known in the US as Churhes Chicken.

More pics of Dar Al Arqam

Inside the school




























This is the play area. Notice the soccer goals, or rather "futball" goals.

Dar Al Arqam

These are photos of the boys school. It is called Dar Al Arqam.

A Few Popular Vehicles

Here are some photos of some of the more popular vehicles found here in Riyadh. I realize the last post was quite boring so don't throw any virtual eggs at me.

My findings are not scientific but I would dare say the Toyotas are the most popular here. Starting with the Camry, the Land Cruisers and Hilux pick ups (sweet little beauties, very practical and rugged).

Driving is very very very dangerous here and probably the most stressful thing one encounters while living here. Very Dangerous.

8 Door Suburban

Talk 'bout family oriented. You rarley find two door vehicles here in Riyadh but this is kind of "extreme". EIGHT doors count them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (not counting the tail). This one was for sale.
NICE! Notice the Lexus wheels on this two door Toyota Land Cruiser. What a vehicle.
Four Door Toyota Hilux a favorite with the youth, enough power and a light rear end. Good combination for a lot of tire spinning.
Ol' School Toyota Land Cruiser. You see lot of the old and new on the roads. Just straight practical. Get the job done.
Six door GMC Suburban. "Gymz" they are called by the locals not gee-m-cee.
I have many more vehicle will post later , insha'Allah

Dates anyone

These are photos of a date branch a Saudi friend brought myself and neighbors. He has several palm trees inside his villa walls and delivered these to us before Ramadhan.



Since then he has brought us hundreds of dates from Qassim, his city of origin. He told us that his mother made him come home (to Qassim) to get the dates and distribute them to friends.

Going into the third week of fasting and we are still eating them.

I can say the nicest people I have met here so far are normally from Qassim, Medinah and Abha.

Some photos in the kitchen

The 110v outlet we are use to in the US Water heater switch (a water heater is located in each bathroom and the kitchen)
From left to right we have the light/fan switch, water heater, 100v, 220v (british system, most items bought here are 220v)
Just some goodies.

More pics of neighborhood

This is the women's college being built across the street. It has several buildings near completion since this photo that was taken before this summer. Here is a booth inside of Riyadh restaurant. Quiet and quaint, me and friends eat tradional Saudi chicken and rice here. Good food and very inexpensive.
The inside of Riyadh resaurant. Local food is not good if you are doing the Atkins. Lots of rice, white bread and plenty of sugar in the tea.

But a large, I mean large, plate of rice and whole chicken can be bought for 20 Saudi Riyal (that's about $5).
This type of restaurant is for men only because of the close quarters. But many places are more accommodating for families including booths with curtains for privacy, seperate family sections and entrances for families and and another section and entrance clearly marked for single men. Almost all deliver. Even the American fast food places deliver for free.

More photos of our neighborhood

This photo shows the proximity of the masjid to our doorstep. Literally right across the street. Local gym to workout in for those that can afford it. Satellite tv while your on the treadmill, olympic size pool, Nautilus the works....
This masjid is around the corner on Tabuk st.

SUPER SIZE ME!!!!!

Here is the McDs in our neighborhood. It is located about a four or five minute walk away. On the weekends and especially after school lets out at the start of the weekend(Wednesday) it is bustling. During Ramadhan they are open until 4 am. Not sure about eating a Big Mac for suhoor (pre-fast meal normally around 3 or 4 in the am).
On the menu they do have some ethnic food like the McArabia made with beef kofta and arabic spices served on pita bread and some traditional arab sweets (cheap knock offs) . We normally only go to McDs for the ice cream.

You can post now.

I apologize. Previously non-registered bloggers were not allowed to post. I have since changed that setting so now everyone can post.

Shaheed

A friends Villa/Home

This obviously is NOT our home but a Saudi friend of mine.

Our Neighborhood

I will begin by sharing some photos of our neighborhood called Izdehar here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This is a shot of our building, we live on the second floor. You can see there are several store fronts below our apt.

Notice the street signs are in all arabic on the side roads.

Our local masjid is less then a "stone throw" away. It is right across the street from where we live.

Welcome!!!

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

As salaamu alaikum (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon you),

Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoy my blog, but more importantly I hope you get something out of your visit. My intention in creating this blog is simply to share some my experience living abroad. Your comments and feedback are welcomed and encouraged.

Shaheed