Overview
** JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA **
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First, KSA-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia now offers tourist visas. See link —-> https://www.visitsaudi.com/en
The website has a ton of information on where to go and what to do. @robertmichaelpoole has done some extensive travel in Saudi and has amazing pictures and stories. I have a few pics and highlights @elcidjarhead
Bottom line up front: Saudi is a dry country (no alcohol). Do not stress that. You should be focused on the cultural and etc. Lol.
Is it safe: Yes. Nothing else to be said.
Custom and Courtesies: Pretty much your basic muslim etiquette.
Women (all women) have to cover up. A black abaya (neck down cover) is highly recommended but not absolutely necessary in Jeddah. Jeddah is the most relaxed of the three major cities (Dammam and Riyadh-the capital being the other). A very long shirt will suffice. That is coming directly from my friend who is muslim and lives there.
Other info: Seating is sectioned at restaurants in KSA. Even at McDonald’s. It is separated into family and single areas. Often times there are separate entrances and separate ordering setups. Men and women can sit together in the family section that arrive together and are related to each other. This is strictly to prevent men from seeing women or being in close proximity to women they are not related to.
Example: Firegrill is their version of Chipotle and there are two completely different serving lines. Both offering the same thing.
Prayer time: Prayer time in KSA in way more serous than the likes of the UAE. Stores close theirs doors and food is not served in restaurants. This includes the mall.
Things to do: 1. Old Jeddah. Historical Old Jeddah, for centuries, was the most important, largest and richest settlements in the region. AN ABSOLUTE MUST IN JEDDAH. Old Jeddah has a distinctive character among the decaying urban homes. It is amazing. 2. The Jeddah Corniche: This is a wonderful place to walk the coast and observe families having picnics and general social life. There is a cool JEDDAH sign for the gram. 3. King Fahd’s fountain. The largest fountain in the world (not the coolest thing, but pretty cool) that shoots a stream of water higher than any other fountain. Saudis are all about being number one. The tallest building n the world is being constructed in Saudi by none other than the Bin Laden construction group. 4. Tallest flag pole. 5. Shopping malls-Just like Dubai, luxury brands are a thing.
Traveling while black: The Saudis are very proud people and some are uppity like most people anywhere that may have a few dollars. The only issues I have ever encountered happened while leaving the country. I have been to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. At the time I was traveling on a diplomatic passport and in the diplomatic line. Often times I would get waved away to the gen pop line only to be sent back to the diplomatic line by the gen pop person when I approached his or her counter. Note: The lady in the gen pop line was so nice. I could not see her face but I can tell she had a huge smile and was very polite. I think this was solely due to skin color. I would occasionally get a nice guy who would greet me and things would go smooth. All of this prior to tourist visas being available. I would have to assume that they are trained to be polite if they want tourism to flourish. Outside of that things were normal. Most arabic countries are import their labor so the labor force are not locals and they could care less about you being black.