Truck Art

This is a very common sight here in the Middle East – work trucks are decorated with colorful art.

MyWorld: BAN THE BRA … salesmen!!!

This is a typical scene in the oldest part of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where there are shops galore selling just about anything you might be looking for. In this strictly conservative and religious society where men and women are separated from socializing together, only men are allowed to work as salesclerks in all the shops. What this means, ironically enough, is that a woman is forced to seek the assistance of a strange man when she needs to purchase new undergarments. A couple of years ago, a law was passed here in KSA that provides for women to be allowed to sell lingerie to other women, but to date there has not been much progress in the way of change to make this happen. So starting on February 13th and lasting for two weeks, women have organized a boycott of shops that continue to employ only male lingerie salemen to protest the situation.
To see a photo of a man peddling panties and bras, see my previous post on this blog. To read more about this topic, visit SaudiWoman’s blog, and another article on the same subject at ChezChiara.
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Fake Palm

I guess there are logical reasons why fake palm trees are seen here in Saudi Arabia, where real palm trees do rather well naturally – I just can’t think of any right now…

Fashion Forward

In a land where women are required to wear a black cloak whenever they appear in public, it’s what’s underneath that black cloak that is the big mystery – and might be very surprising to some! Saudi women are very sophisticated and fashionable. They love designer clothes, shoes, and handbags. I must admit, though, that even I am a tad shocked when I see some of the sexy and revealing clothes I see in shop windows or inside clothing stores. Much of what I see I would have NEVER worn – even back when I was much younger, trimmer, and cuter!!!

Science Innovation Club at Night

This building is the Jeddah Science Innovation Club. The architectural design of the building itself is unusual, but what makes it stand out even more is the monstrous sculpture of a globe that sits atop the structure. Officially innaugurated in June 2006 in the presence of royalty, Ministry of Education officials, the press, and a slew of businessmen and women, the Jeddah Science Innovation Club has set and achieved a variety of goals in many fields of science, including biology, computers, astronomy and math. Student members have particpated in regional competitions and fared very well. Much emphasis is placed on creativity using scientific programs, and recognition of achievements in science is recognized and rewarded.
In a previous post, I featured this same building during the daytime.

SkyWatch: Al-Khalil Museum

This is a beautiful example of a very nicely maintained building in the tradtional Saudi architecture and design. It is part of the Al-Khalil Museum, which actually now houses a mosque and a school for orphans. Many of the older buildings in Jeddah are built of local stone and have carved wood detailing. Many mosques have a dome plus mosque minarets which are usually topped with the crescent moon symbol. Windows are covered with the traditional slatted wood designs called rawasheen. Many older buildings also have a solid fortress-like appearance probably designed specifically to discourage attackers. This building encompasses it all!
To fly MORE friendly skies around the world, visit SKYWATCH.

Conch Shell Sculpture

This is another nautical themed sculpture that overlooks the Red Sea here in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is built of local stone and cement. It is similar in design to the Octopus Sculpture that I posted a while back.
Sorry to plaster my watermark all over, but an unscrupulous person has stolen some of my photos and is claiming to have shot them herself. So my watermark will be plastered all over my photos from now on. Sorry but I have no other choice.

Selling Socks

MyWorld: Headless Schoolgirls

I thought the title of this post might get your attention! Saudi public schools require all boys to dress in the traditional white thobe (long dress) and all girls wear some type of conservative uniform. When girls reach a certain age, they must also then wear the abaya (long black cloak) over their clothing to and from school, plus they must cover their hair with the hijab (scarf). All store mannequins in Saudi Arabia are headless. From what I understand, the reason why mannequin heads are prohibited is because it would be considered a form of idolatry, according to the religious interpretations here. So that also means that there are no statues in the human form either. And animals too. I have seen some sculptures of body parts, but never a complete person or animal. If you would like to see more examples of this phenomenom, here are some previous posts I did on the subject: Headless Mannequins; Confusing Contradictions; Tall Camel Sculpture; The Eye; The Fist; Hungry Horses; and The Supplication.
Well, That’s My World for this week! That’s My World! offers a unique glimpse at life all over our planet. Take a peek at other people’s lives from all over the world by visiting That’s My World!

CDP Theme Day: Wood

This architectural detailing applied to the windows of many dwellings here in Saudi Arabia is called rawasheen. It is a very practical and useful addition to homes here. The slats allow cool air to circulate thus providing a flow of fresh air inside while at the same time affording shade from the harsh sun as well as privacy for the building’s inhabitants. This specimen of rawasheen is from one of the most famous private homes in Jeddah. The home belongs to and was built by native Saudi architect Sami Angawi, whose home is a tribute to the classical Saudi architectural styles. Traditionally wood has been used for much of the trim details of homes and this is a fine example of how it is done.
To see a few previous posts featuring other parts of this exquisite home, just click on these links: Angawi Tiled Mosaic Pool; Angawi House Inside Arch; Angawi House Detail; and Angawi House Carved Door and Pool.
City Daily Photo is an online community of photo bloggers from cities around the globe who share glimpses of their cities with the rest of the world. The first of each month is CDP’s Theme Day. Today’s theme is WOOD. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants