I reckon ’cause this is suppose to be the Holyland, they call this place The Kingdom. Oh, it’s holy alright but we won’t get into that now. Take a look at these two videos I made with my very own movie camera. Watch out Steven Spielberg. What I find amazing is the sand sculptured up real high without anybody ever touching it. However did that happen so perfectly? In these deserts too, you’ll see tents set up by the nomads. I don’t think you’ll see them here but maybe I’ll get a better angle another time. And just so you know, Saudis are real proud of their coffee. It’s famous, they tell me but I’m not a coffee drinker myself. They offer it in tiny little cups, not all big in mugs like Americans do. Anyway, I drink it most times when it’s offered to me on account of my southerness. Tastes on the bitter side and real different, like ginger’s in there or something. If you like coffee, maybe I’ll bring you some to try. I don’t know. Depending on how you’re acting and whatnot. (wink, wink)
Here I’m on my way to shop at this grocery store called Othaim. I took this right before the start of Ramadan so you’d get a snippet of the town and whatnot. You don’t have to put riyals in a slot for a shopping cart like in Germany. Matter of fact, they don’t do coins here at all. If something costs 91.65 riyals, you pay 92. If something’s 91.15 riyals, you pay 91. Don’t let folk cheat you outta your riyals, okay? I know you’re real anxious to get over here and shop, which is a popular pastime over here. Besides, there’s not a thing else to do, at least in these parts. And it’s cheap as all get out to shop here too. Some things, that is. Food prices are real cheap. Shit, we’re getting ripped off big time in America. Anyhow, a-shopping we go…
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
Is this the topography they are fighting over in the region? Landscape of moon looks more inviting. Re photography: ditch the camera and put up some post cards.
Awww Carl, why be so hard on my photography skills? But to tell you true, I ain’t seen a postcard around here no place. They’re anti-picturetaking so I don’t know if there are any around here where I am. Nobody’s fighting over here. Folk from Syria are migrating to Iraq, which I ain’t all that far from. I suspect the topography may look similar but folk can do all sortsa things with the right mind and building materials.
Do people treat the big coffee pot the way we treat wayside attractions here? (Like the Corn Palace or Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox Babe)
No. It just sits there like any other regular spot you see on a daily basis. I’m not in a place that attracts tourists and the teapot won’t reel anybody in. I don’t know why it’s there all big and whatnot. Seems like something should’ve been happening around it but like so many other structures around here, it’s unfinished. Perhaps.
What culture shock, just watching the video. So lacking in the green we take for granted! Thanks for sharing these images, Totsy.
It’s odd to see green here actually. I posted the wrong video and wanted you all to see the sand. It’s beautiful. Will show another time.
I was wondering about that!
I do know that there is a lot of sand there. Once when I was living in Geneva I looked out the window to see yellow everywhere. It turned out to be a sandstorm from the Sahara — a thousand miles to the south!
That tea pot in the middle of nowhere is really surreal. My folks moved to the desert – Las Vegas – shortly after I moved away from home. To me there is very little contrast between the desert surrounding Vegas and where you’re at .
Thanks for sharing a view I wouldn’t normally see.
Don’t think I’ll be moving to Vegas then.
You’re welcome and thanks for hanging out with me in desertland.
In Vegas, you’d find a thriving metro area – complete with a gaudy strip of casinos, lots of action and about a million residents (that might include the tourists, not sure). Unlike the desert outside it.
Of course, we’re still talking temps of more than 100 degrees in the summertime.
Now, Totsy, Holiness aside, I think they call it the Kingdom because it’s ruled by an absolute monarch. I wish they would take you to the old section of someplace. Now that would be interesting to see! Where you are just looks like sand.
It’s sort of a shame they keep TCNs so far away from regular Saudi life. It’s almost like you are in a prison with the occasional “day trip” for good behavior.
Okay. Makes more sense.
I don’t think they’re trying to take us any place. I’m not complaining though. While it would be nice to see something on the attractive side, this is just another side of The Kingdom that’s not on the tourist map. I’d be like every other tourist otherwise and well, I can’t be like everybody else, I suppose. I reckon this is where I was supposed to be, so it’s all good.
It isn’t pretty is it? But then doesn’t really look much different from parts of Texas or Mexico either. Thank you for showing us what you are seeing.
No. We westerners like pretty stuff, don’t we? I didn’t see this much desert in Texas but I wasn’t living on the stateline either. Maybe soon, I can catch some still shots of those high sands that look like pyramids.
Nothing but sand, but what about their towns the must be all civil with all that oil money?
I’ll try to get more town shots but even with all the money here, it looks like nothing you’re imagining. You’d be really surprised and I do wanna surprise you, so hold that thought.
That’s a helluva lot of sand and ugly buildings.. and I’m feeling a bit queasy after the drive :O
This is the regular side of life, or as folk in the UK say, the commoners. Just a glimpse of everyday stuff without the bling.
Had to laugh at your commoners comment Totsy.. I think that might have been a word in common use in the early 1900′s but not now !
Interesting. I’d heard it more often when Lady Di was around and how she made herself accessible to the commoners.
Okay..maybe you heard that said by Americans?
Uh uh…The news guy was British.
Totsy, it’s a good thing you have such a good sense of humour (at least it seems like you do!) … that looks like a pretty depressing environment. Ya gotta be able to laugh!
Have to be able to laugh around here. Like you say, it’s depressing otherwise. Also, imagine all that sand and heat with no rain in the forecast. If not careful, this weather can change your whole attitude.
Geez, do you long for a tree?
There are a few trees around here they planted. Real green and looks quite odd but yeah, nothing like trees you and I know.
Totsymae – darned if I’m not a wondering just “why?” you’ve chosen to exile y’self to the Middle Kingdom for months on end – still the hibsicus tea will hold the blood pressure steady and the experience will be well worth the journey, no doubt, cheers cathul8r molly
Not really so bad when I see it from a temporary standpoint. And that hibiscus is good stuff. Like taking a mild sedative.
But traffic looks sparse…best I can say….
Good way of looking at it. I don’t miss traffic.
How generous of you to give us this tour!
If only I got paid for this.
I have no idea what a “TCN” is, but I don’t want to be one if I have to eat sand.
I thought you held the camera remarkably still. Don’t pay attention to Carl. Now, that teapot is wacky. Funny shaped and all. What’s inside the thing? I’m confused about what this area is. It looks kind of commercial, but more military or something. The buildings are nondescript and all unfinished. What goes on there … like what kind of industry?
Heck, I don’t know what TCN is either. I thought it was one of those ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ sorta acronyms. Carl likes to talk smack. I ain’t paying him no mind. I don’t know the purpose of that teapot. It’s about the most attractive thing here, I have to say. Funny shaped and all. This area is rural, up north, going toward Iraq. It used to be even more rural but they’ve actually built it up over the last 10 years. I don’t know about industry. The Saudis don’t seem to be the most industrious folks. They’re very laid back. Very. Besides, it’s too hot to think most times, so industry mostly happens outside of the country. They’re living off the oil.
Let me guess…you are not in Dubai!
I find you little videos highly interesting because it is just what the average ordinary day in Saudi looks like. I would suffer from “nature deprivation” I’m sure.
TCN…I googled it. It think in this case, your reader meant “Third Country National”. Does that make sense?
Nope. Not in Dubai. Would be a nicer place to be, I understand. One thing that’s natural that I didn’t see anymore in the states, are stars in the sky. I do hate seeing these starving cats outside the villa. They don’t have vets in these parts. If you’ve got those kinda skills, it could be well worth starting a business of that type here. Heck, a lot of businesses may find success here.
Interesting to see some green on all that sand. But what am I talking about, that what oases are, right? Hahaha!
I don’t know how that happens. I know some of these trees aren’t naturally grown here, so I can’t believe those pieces of grass are natural either. There’s not root but who knows. I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong about a lotta things.
Totsy, I’m watching the video looking for signs of life. One Charlie Brown tree. Something!
I’m too chicken to film where there is life. They’re real funny about cameras over here. I did see a YouTube moment last night but had I filmed it, I’d be sitting in the jailhouse with my camera.
Gotcha. When you put it that way, makes sense. Above all, I want you to be safe.