Last Weekend in Riyadh



It rains 2 days a year in Saudi. This evening was one of them, a cool 21 degrees!
We had tickets for the  Illusionists show at Winter Wonderland after Jen was finished work.  It was jam packed with families having fun on extreme rides, playing fair games and several entertainment shows were going on aside from our own. Roger was called up on stage to examine the cuffs, ankle shackles and locks on the Houdini water immersion. It was amazing , especially how long he held his breath for. They were the best magicians from 7 countries. And Roger enjoyed his experience on stage.
We bought gas on our way home; it is 50 cents a litre. Jen said that they doubled the price last year. It must have been almost free before that.
I swam a lovely 22 lengths in the pool(my daily exercise)
One side of the  movie Theatre


with a young woman (Lina) who lives in Paris who was visiting her parents here. Roger was doubting whether to wear the Saudi clothes to the restaurant, whether it was appropriate, and she assured him that it would be well received. Jen drove to Winter Wonderland and the ladies on the trolly asked us where we were from, giggled, ask to take our pictures, and welcomed us to Saudi. As we were leaving, a fellow approached Roger asking him  where he was from and offered to adjust his ghutra/ shemagh.(the headscarf)  He also showed Roger how to fit the black igal.(corded rope that sits on top of the head scarf.)

Tweaked version

Walking down towards the restaurant


Roger received several thumbs up and it was a very positive experience.
Leaving the house
There were the best fireworks display we have ever seen as well.  The next morning we headed to the Ritz where Jennifer had arranged for us all to have brunch. We tasted dates and Arabic coffee. We dined for 3 hours sampling as many things as we could. Then we headed up to our room to spend the night. Unfortunately, the pool and spa is just for men. We did purchase some Arabian sweets. After
Seafood and lamb

Scallops with lemon mousse
Jen
A beautiful tile at the National Museum
The Ritz
 a great sleep and breakfast in a soundless room, we went to the Kingdom Tower mall, having a coffee in a Canadian coffee shop,( Cariboo coffee) the first one Jen has found that you can buy things during prayer. We watched the movie *Born a King (excellent)  in the most luxurious movie theatre in Saudi. The seats really recline, they give you a
Juices with Rose water
satan pillow and blanket and serve you a meal. We had wanted to walk the bridge in the kingdom Tower but ran out of time. Then we went to the National Museum which was wonderful. Home for sleep at the end of another amazing weekend !
Arabian sweets

Lobby

View from our window

The pool

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