Sitting Around Al-Balad « JEDDAH DAILY PHOTO JOURNAL

Jul

Sitting Around Al-Balad

Categories: Architecture, Buildings, Clothing, Life, Photo and Saudi Arabia
Tags: Architecture, business, Jeddah, leisure, living, thobe

While driving through the old Al-Balad section of Jeddah one day, I saw this group of men sitting on a corner in front of a business. Most of the men are wearing the traditional long white dress, called thobe. Even though I try to be discreet when snapping informal photos like this one as we whiz by in a car, it’s amazing how people here always seem to spot a camera in this country. Not many people go around taking photos.

5 Responses to “Sitting Around Al-Balad”

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1 Chiara
July 9, 2009 at 1:48 pm

They all look like subsaharan Africans to me, most obviously the fellow in the green African wrap, but also the other 3, even the one with the smaugh. To me it is interesting in terms of expat workers in Saudi, or non-Saudis established in the country for a long time.

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2 Oman Holidays
July 9, 2009 at 11:16 am

I had a great time in Al Baleed taking pictures during the 90/91 Gulf War. I asked permission in the souq – got a yes and got some nice pictures. Then a policeman came up and started telling me I should not – then the shop keepers came up to him and said that it was ok and that he (the policeman) should leave me alone.

In your picture I think the guy on the left is Saudi – the two on the right might be Sudani

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3 Chiara
July 9, 2009 at 5:45 am

Thanks, Susie. It is a great photo, so typical of a MENA scene, and beautiful colours. Maybe they are “Abyssinian” Saudis.

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4 Susie of Arabia
July 9, 2009 at 2:44 am

I’m not really sure, but most of them are dressed in the traditional white thobe of the Saudis, so my guess would be black Saudis.

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5 Chiara
July 9, 2009 at 2:38 am

Black Saudis or Africans?

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About Me: Susie of Arabia

I am an American woman. I met my husband more than 30 years ago when we were both college students in Arizona. So after all that time in the states, my hubby desired to move back to his native home of Saudi Arabia. I've been in Jeddah now since October 2007. My new home is amazing: interesting, fascinating, and colorful. The people are warm, courteous and as interested in me as I am in them, however they highly regard their privacy. My camera goes with me every time I step out the door - I don't want to miss a thing! Please be sure to also visit my other blog, SUSIE'S BIG ADVENTURE, which relates my experiences, observations, and thoughts about living in Saudi Arabia.