Eyecandy in Jeddah

Nadagdagan ang magaganda sa Jeddah.

For three days that is. ;)

An international symposium related to my job prompted me be a representative of my office at this event that was held at Intercontinental Jeddah. My primary duty was to be "eyecandy" really--to get the participants interested/informed about one of our medical journals by giving out its copies and flyers. As mentioned in my profile, I work in publishing so there you go, I produce these materials and was proud to get the chance to show off these babies. At first I was pretty much wrecked over the preparations and having to travel on my own in a place I've never been to before. But hey, I'm not one to say no to an adventure. Especially if it's paid for! :P

My booth by the Exhibition Center @ the Intercon

I had a very generous sponsor who booked me a room at the Radisson SAS (along Medina Rd) and had me fly business class via Saudia Airlines. That setup alone set the tone of my trip: Posh in Jeddah. And how posh the trip was! Devouring smoked salmon and prawns for lunch at the Intercon, joyriding through the boutiques of Tahlia St. and dining aboard a (mini)ship while cruising Jeddah waters at Mashar Al-Aham, Obhur--were just some of the "posh" things I did while I was there.

My hotel room @ The Radisson.

Smoked salmon and fried prawns for lunch. (hidden shot)

Aboard the mini-ship that took us around Obhur Creek
(eastern side of the Red Sea, I'm told)

Of course, I did not miss King Fahad Fountain, Jollibee and Al-Baik! Thanks to the friendly kabayans who offered to show me around these places. Special shoutout to Ms. Arlene Luna and Mr. Ador Javier! You guys rock!! My Jeddah visit would not have been as complete if not for your sincere kindness.

The friendly crew at Jollibee were all smiles in welcoming the "tourist" = "me". :D

Jollibee....parting is such sweet sorrow! :'(

Al-Baik broasted chicken at 1 in the morning. YUM-Oh! Again, thanks to Ms. Arlene for insisting I try these!

Suffice to say, I was mixing (a lot of needed) pleasure with business. Being eyecandy is hard work but I'm not complaining. I just felt renewed at the opportunity to have been able to smile all day and meet new people from all walks of life. And of course, promoting our journal. :) The symposium had over 1,200 participants, so clearly, the surroundings had a stark difference from my regular days of sitting in front of the computer as my only form of "social life".

Other than that, I found Jeddah to be relaxed and pleasant. What struck me above all was the attitudes of the people, especially the Saudi folks. I never thought I'd meet a decent Saudi guy in my entire life (maybe because they're all in Jeddah! *haha*) But I did, perhaps three or five of them. I found our conversations equally platonic with no malice/seduction intended which is such a relief coming from a place that deems eye-contact as a form of flirtation already.

This is what a decent Saudi guy looks (and acts) like.

This is what a decent AND funny Saudi guy looks like. :D

Jeddah was almost "normal". For me it was friendly, fun and refreshing. The trip may as well have been a blessing in disguise. Prior the 23rd, I was reaching new heights of haggardness. Now, I can't even remember what I was fussing about. That trip did me goooood.

However, I still consider Riyadh as my home and Jeddah...well, Jeddah was the next great escape.

Cheers!

This is Out of Town 2. Enjoy other Out of Town entries here.

Solids and Pastels

It's COLLAGE WEEK 1!

These are the details that made our week:
(Click photo to find out.)

This week, the Pink Tarha Girls* and friends bring you the hot colors of summer!

*Eyecandy23's key item for the week is missing because of another commitment she's soon to blog about. ;)

50’s Doll

If you can’t keep the old stuff and yet adore vintage style like me, this is the best time to produce this look. With the ‘vintage feel’ flooding almost every store, it’s easy to start your own collection. Black and white is one combination I find hard to resist. Enjoy this classic outfit for that elegant 50’s doll look!

Gothic Romance.

Gothic top H&M
Skirt NEW LOOK
Heart sunnies TOPSHOP
Pearl Necklace MS. SELFRIDGE
Silver clutch CALLIOPE
Red peep toe wedge shoes NINE WEST
Bow headband NEW LOOK

Finally, hairdo and make-up to complete the look:

Now you're ready to go!

This is Inside Our Closet 3. Check out other clothing mixes here.

Sunny Days

Now that sandstorms have been invading our days in the city, there's no denying what's to come next... a seemingly perpetual summer! While Filipinos love the Philippines' summers, I'm not sure what to make of the desert's scorching hot months. But in anticipation of the sunshine-y days, here's an ensemble that's perfect for a stroll in the beach or a walk in the park:

Summer weekends and getaways

Most of the items here were on sale when bought:
Floral cloth bag and necklace MISS SELFRIDGE (90SR to 39SR)
Denim romper STRADIVARIUS (119SR to 20SR)
Green flipflops IPANEMA (40SR in Batha)
Shades TERRANOVA (50SR to 20SR)
Summer Kikay Kit Essentials: NEUTROGENA Cooling Body Mist Sunblock to keep the harmful UV rays away / ZARA Cosmetics Bronzer for the sun goddess glow / REVLON Lip Glide in Glistening Sand for a non-sticky shimmer on your lips / ROCKY MOUNTAIN Lip Butter in Summer Lemonade to keep your lips from drying

Hope y'all have a good place in the sun wherever you are! It will help if you keep your cool all the time. ;)

This is Inside the Closet 2. To take a peek at our closet, click here!

How To Make A Long Distance Relationship Work

Let's face it, there's no such thing as a perfect relationship but there's such a thing as a perfect relationship which works for you and your partner. If keeping a normal relationship is quite hard now, try having a long distance relationship (LDR)! It requires triple the effort of a couple to survive one. But do not fret, two of the Pink Tarha girls are in LDRs (guess who?!) so they'll share with you their input on how to make LDRs work. (The right ones to guess who among the PT girls are in LDRs get the chance to date them!)

We're not saying we're experts on this thing, but if what we're about to tell you can help you, then we're willing to take the chance to proudly say that we know what we're talking about! ;)

1. Know your relationship’s worth.

Long distance relationships can make or break couples. You and your partner should have an understanding that is molded by a sturdy foundation of trust, comfortableness and commitment. If you have this, then consider yourself strong and WISE enough to withstand the (sometimes violent) forces of space and time.

2. Always (TRY to) do the right thing.

There is no such thing as an angel on earth. And surely, dark spirits are lurking in every corner waiting for you to fall in their traps. When you find yourself vulnerable, and missing the “physical” attention you use to get--while indecent proposals are hitting at you left and right—choose the person that you want to become. It’s easier said than done (we know). Just keep in mind the one day that you stare yourself at the mirror and see if you will like the person looking back at you.

3. See the silver lining.

One of the things that we appreciate about long distance relationship is the “freedom” to discover who you are and what you’re really made of outside the context of your partner. It’s important to become conscious of your identity and develop it because it is one way to enrich a relationship. It is also a handy reserve for a broken heart. ;) Other pros of LDR are being able to stay on your favorite channel, hog the bed and snore like a construction drill. In other words: Broaden your independence!

4. Grow UP! Both of you.

If there is one major factor in LDRs, that is MATURITY. Stop fussing over the little things, i.e., he/she went out with friends tonight and it’s already 2am in his/her part of the world and you’re anxiously waiting for a text message saying that they’re home, or you have been incessantly calling their mobiles to no avail and you’ve crossed over to paranoia? We mean seriously, if your partner has some form of respect for you and he/she knows what does and does not tick you off, then he/she must be responsible enough to fulfill those expectations. This applies to both parties. Like we mentioned in #1 (see above), if you have that kind of relationship, then trust yourself to be that.

5. Keep in Touch.

With the world’s high tech discoveries, it’s no longer an effort to keep communication lines open. Choose the platform that suits you best – whether it be the mobile phone, the internet, the post office, etc. - say what you want to say and find time to make your presence be felt every day (or okay, every other day). Avoid using the lamest alibi ever-"I'm busy." Puhleez! There’s really no excuse not to keep in touch so don’t make this a source of your (petty) quarrels.

6. Inspire and encourage.

Once in a while, ask your partner of his/her opinions on topics and decisions that matter to you, even if he/she might not be directly involved with them. Make him/her feel he/she is always a part of your life. Let your partner feel that he/she continuously inspire you to improve yourself. Likewise, encourage and guide them to be their best in endeavors they're currently in. Be each other's own cheering squad.

You're welcome to add your insights! Leave us a comment.

So yeah, we're kidding about the chance to date the two PT girls. But you can still guess if you want. ;)

Credits: Images by (2)here and (3)here.

Pinoy na Pinoy

Have you been to Batha? Chances are, I'll be hearing a resounding "yes!" from all Filipino OFWs and their families in Riyadh.

Batha is the first place I've seen in Riyadh, aside from our flat in Mursalat and the Jarir Bookstore in North Ring Road. And when I saw Batha... "Nasa Quiapo o Divisoria ba ako?!" Yes, Batha reminds so much of home. Not only because it looks like two of the most popular places in Manila but because of the number of Filipinos in the place.

Batha, the Filipino's haven in Riyadh

This is where you'll find most Filipinos, especially during weekends. It's a helluva place during Fridays after pay day! Traffic is so bad you can't even get in, and when you eventually get inside, you'll have headaches looking for a parking spot. Avoid Batha at all cost during payday weekend! Don't say we didn't warn you. (Watch out for a more extensive post on Batha soon.)

Pinoy Supermarket

Anyway, Batha houses one of my favorite supermarkets in Riyadh... the Pinoy Supermarket! This supermarket contains almost all the Pinoy goods we Filipinos love and crave for. I just hate the narrow aisles but that's just a minor incovenience in exchange for the happiness a box of Chocnut or a pack of Eng Bee Tin ube hopia gives. ;)

Vegetables from the Philippines

Pandan and banana leaves

More veggie shots

I have no fruit shots because I was taken aback by the price of banana saba... 28SR per kilo! Huwaaat?! Almost P300?! I miss banana cue but I am not paying 28SR for a few pieces of saba! Haha. And even the price of Philippine carabao mangoes surprised me. I immediately withdrew my cart from the section and moved on...

Junkfood from Pinas

Ri-chee and Moby!!!

Okay, so Lay's and Pringles outshine Ri-chee and Moby with their quality and packaging and taste but whatever! I love, love the chips from Pinas. Don't you? The 2SR price is higher compared to the Pinas price but I don't care. Ri-chee is such a staple snack in my childhood. Also Kirei Yummy Flakes and Oishi Prawn Crackers, they're all-time favorites!

Er, I realized I only took photos of food, hehe. I'll post pictures of non-food Pinoy products found here on future entries. And here's a list of my must-buy Pinoy food products in Batha:

Navarro's Aligue in a bottle (11SR for regular / 22SR for premium)
Chocnut
Eng Bee Tin mungo and ube hopia (11SR for a pack, hell expensive!)
La-la fish crackers (love the sweet chili flavor)
Squidballs and fishballs (they taste different from their street counterpart in Pinas but they'll do for now)
Purefoods Chunky corned beef
Lady's Choice sandwich spread
Kopiko 3 in 1 coffee
Muncher coated green peas
Rebisco choco/cream/strawberry sandwich

What's your fave Pinoy find in Pinoy Supermarket? Share! ;)

Inside Our Closet 1: Sweet Valentine

:::This is the first entry in our INSIDE OUR CLOSET series.:::

An outfit perfect for a post-Valentine date? Prom outfit?

Dress, Necklace and Bangles: New Look

Shoes: Topshop

Earrings: H&M

Bag: Minna Parikka Maxine

In Saudi Arabia?!

As much as we would love to wear dresses for parties or occasions here, there is scarcity of events in Saudi Arabia for outfits such as this. I have absolutely no idea where to wear it here.

Pang-Batha? Di bale, takip naman ng abaya eh. LOL

Ideas, anyone?

Remnants of the A/W Sale Season

So it is over... but I'm still not over it!

I'm sure the girls of Saudi are still left with unopened stuff that were accumulated from the frenzy and chaos known as the sale season. I, for one, haven't gone through my purchases one by one. They are still piled up on my reading couch: tried on once, labels still intact. Every time I open my wallet, it keeps reminding me that it committed suicide, not once but many times over in the first months of 2009. I'm such a cruel boss!

I started the sale season right but even if it's already finished, I just can't get over the euphoria of it all. I'm sorry, eh it only happens twice a year! And I'm in denial like that.

The chaos the sale season brought.

I took advantage of the last days of the sale season by buying stuff I do not normally get for my wardrobe. Like tattered jeans, colorful tops, pastel dresses, bling-y flats... these are the stuff my bleak closet is not made of. And I surprised myself by getting them out of their misery being dumped in piles of goods that say "Come and get us, we're freakin' 95% off!" Who's the idiot who'll not be compassionate enough?! I care! I really, really care!

Bottoms from Bershka, New Look, Peacocks, and Stradivarius

Tops from Stradivarius, New Look, and CityMax

Dress and shirts from New Look, CityMax, and Zara

Gladiator sandals and accessory from New Look

Handbag from Peacocks

Sequined flats from New Look.

I even made a friend jump with glee by taking her to stores that were still on sale. And she couldn't help but swipe that card! I'm a BI much?! Hey, she's from UAE so what are the odds that she'll be finding these items there? Okay, chances are, she will but... will she find them in those pretty cheap prices?! Yeah, I thought so too. Now, I'm tagged as her "ultimate shopping buddy in Riyadh" in our Facebook pictures. Hehe.

Once in a while, we have to do that... surprise ourselves by doing something unpredictable and owning something we could've ignored in the first place. And, finding people whom we can share our interests! It's been a wonderful season. I'm ready to let go now only because there'll be another that'll start mid-year.

Sigh. July's S/S Season Sale seems such a long wait noh? Double sigh.

Of Syndromes and a Woman

I've been out of the (blog)loop lately due to a series of syndromes.

There was the:
SSWS
(Sale-Season-Withdrawal Syndrome),
PMS
(you know what that is), &
HsTS
(Haggard-sa-Trabaho Syndrome).

Cumulatively it is regarded as a bad case of SSS (Super Stress Syndrome) scientifically known as Haggardous Milletus Caktuz.

--

Anyway, since I've been "away", zero-visibility sandstorms have been prevalent in the city, China visited, the King was in the neighborhood and Valentine's day went by like a blur (At least I got a Ferrero choco-trio, a white rose and some sweet talk from a special someone). Also, just yesterday, King Abdullah reshuffled the Council of Ministers and named Noor Al-Fayez as the Deputy Minister for Girl's Education. This is a pretty big deal since she is the first woman EVAR to be appointed in the government council. (Read the full story here). The best thing to do is HOPE and may all the pioneer women icons of Saudi Society mark this as a glorious day.

I'm hoping to post some more relatively relevant entries as soon as my "dark cloud" clears up. In the meantime...Tesbaheena ala khair*!


*goodnight/sweet dreams

Where We Party

In this part of the world, parties are not unheard of... if we're talking about parties that have separate places for men and women. When you ask about parties that make men and women mingle with each other, you'll probably receive blank looks.

We, Filipinos, of course attend parties with our families and friends so it's hard to imagine a party with gender segregation. So how do we celebrate large gatherings like birthday parties or wedding receptions in Saudi Arabia? Through places called "isteraha."

Isteraha in Exit 8.

Isterahas are gated compounds which house several big rooms for cooking, eating, and dancing/singing. Some isterahas have swimming pools and playgrounds. There's a wide lawn for outdoor picnics too. Each compound is surrounded by high walls to keep in the noise and avoid prying eyes from nearby establishments. Some isterahas are big enough to accommodate vehicles inside. Parking though is always available outside. Rental rates go from 450SR on Fridays (5:00am to 12 midnight) to 600SR on Thursdays. There's a cluster of isterahas off Exit 8 and another in Khurais road.

Let's party!

The good thing about isterahas is that they give us the freedom to celebrate parties with our loved ones without dividing the crowd. The bad thing about isterahas is that they also get raided by the religious police, especially during Christmas. Argh. No matter, it's still good to know that Filipinos are enjoying occassions together, as one big happy family!

How To Celebrate Valentine's In Saudi Arabia

This is for all the Filipinos in the Kingdom. For non-KSA-based people, find tips for a normal Valentine's day on other sites. We're sure tips for you will be all over the net.

Because the day of hearts is near, let the Pink Tarha gehls help you in celebrating Valentine's day in Saudi Arabia... (Yeah, even if technically you cannot celebrate it here because of er, religious reasons. Let's not go in-depth with those reasons okay?) Moving on... Follow our simple dos and have a sweet, worry-free February 14!

This is the best way to celebrate Valentine's in Saudi Arabia:

1. Celebrate in advance... or belated.
No occasion is never too early or late to celebrate. To avoid the hassles of February 14, have fun on the 12th or 13th (weekend here) or the next weekend. You better bet that the religious police is on heightened alert on the 14th for subversive citizens. So avoid throwing and attending Valentine parties, whether it be in someone's house or in Isteraha. Besides, the celebration of love is not a matter of when. It's the who that counts. Naks!

But if you cannot help but "celebrate" on the 14th, follow this guide:

2. Come empty-handed.

If in the Philippines you come knockin' on your beloved doors with flowers and chocolates and teddy bears, it is best to come without those paraphernalia here. Do not buy flowers on February 14, even if it's for your sick relative or friend. Do not be caught receiving one either. Just think of it this way: Who wants expensive flowers which do not last very long anyway? Isn't it more romantic to receive a bouquet on an ordinary day to make it an extraordinary one? ;)

3. Wear all colors... except red.
Who's not happy during Valentine's? Everyone wears this "blooming" smile and you cannot pretend you do not know that a certain "romantic" mood is in the air. So to show that you're happy being married or being in a relationship, wear lots of sunshiney colors... except the color of love, RED. Yes it's crazy but red is the dreaded color for February 14 in this side of the world. You can wear black or grey or white for whatever reasons but please do not wear red. Include all shades of red just to be on the safe side.

4. Have a recession-friendly Valentine's date.
Scrimp and save by preparing your special dinners at home rather than going out. In the first place, if he or she is still your bf/gf, you cannot be seen together in public. If he or she is already your husband/wife, then it's better to save up. If you do not know how to cook, share a take out of kabsa or have Pizza Inn deliver their Buy 1 Get 1 Free pizzas! Watch romantic movies while eating pizzas for that ultimate cheesy effect! ;P

5. Make a "virtual" expression.
The dating game here in Saudi Arabia is primarily via text messaging or online chatting. To avoid mishaps from the authorities, stick to what works--give that special someone a call or a "makalaglag-panty" text message to guarantee a spot in their hearts. That, or you can also post a heart-wrenching comment on their social network pages for the world to see.

6. E-greetings for Valentines

Every time is a good time for love, but February 14 still is something remarkable and special. If you're not the chatty type (see above), you can just download e-cards everywhere in the net without any dithering. Express your love by sending heart-warming valentine e-greetings with your friends and loved ones that are as easy to pick up and answer, as they are to send.

7. Celebrate Valentines... abroad.
If you're really itching to celebrate the love day complete with all the works (flowers, gifts, decors, music, etc...), go to a country that celebrates it for all intents and purposes. For example, fly to nearby UAE, Bahrain, or Europe or time your vacation to the Philippines this February. Obviously, you can go to all the other countries to celebrate Valentine's outwardly except here. Er, you have 1-2 days to decide and book and pack and fly. So this tip is kindda urgent. As in, now na!

That's all for now, folks. Leave your tips on the comment box or let us know how you plan to celebrate Valentine's day in this desert. Maybe you'll spend it sleeping, perhaps? Good for you.

Heart things I heart

Daanin na lang natin sa posting ang celebration ng buwan ng fag-eveg! Here are my favorite heart things:

Heart-quilt black patent bag

Betseyville by Betsey Johnson

Topshop Lavender Heart bag and Black Patent Heart bag from Fanplusfriend

Topshop Red Cardigan with heart buttons

Heart necklaces from New Look, Heart earrings from H&M

Topshop Stripey Heart shirt

Whatever you do on Saturday, remember what it's all about <3...

Love bangles from New Look

Starstruck

Saudi Arabia is one of the few actual realms left in the world which is lead by a King... And I was fortunate enough to see him.

His Royal Highness King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud is the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Head of the House of Saud and also the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. His portrait is seen in every nook and corner of Saudi Arabia. Everyone respects the King.

It was 5:00 in the afternoon yesterday in the office; all employees are tired and wanted to go home. Office hours, kalas!

Eyecandy23 called Sundrenched and informed her that the Royal Family is around. The armored trucks and guards outside our building made it so obvious. We hurriedly went down to catch a glimpse of a prince or a princess, just anyone royal. We decided to use the stairs when I saw someone I admire use it. Before reaching the hallway on the first floor to the outside door, a guard told us to wait. We stood there frozen.

We watched in astonishment as a couple of royal guards, princes, and officials walked past. And then the King, yes, HRH King Abdullah, entered our line of vision. For a moment, we stood there not knowing what to do. We were just simply amazed. I think I was still holding my breath from the time I recognized him until the time he exited my vision. We followed him and his entourage outside and saw him sit in the passenger seat of his black car with untinted windows. I cannot explain my emotion during that time. It was my first time to see the King personally and I was too caught up in the moment!

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah
Image from ABC News.

The King of Saudi Arabia wears a white thawb (or thobe) and white cape with gold linings. He looks very calm and elegant in it. His mere presence invokes remarkable authority. He seems younger in person than the imposing figure on pictures plastered in almost every shop in the Kingdom. Too bad we were not permitted to take a photo of him.

Still, now I can proudly say:

I have seen the King of Saudi!

Have you? Share your experience here!

Out of Town 1: Jeddah's Bests

:::This is the first entry in our OUT OF TOWN series.:::

Aside from Riyadh, Jeddah is one of the beautiful cities you can visit in Saudi Arabia. Last October 2008 during the Haj vacation, I had the chance to visit Jeddah for the first time. It took us 12 hours to get there by car, longer than a direct Riyadh-Manila flight which only takes 9 hours! The beautiful scenery on the way helped relieve the boredom.

The l-o-n-g and winding road...

There were several things I loved about the place. Among all else, these were Jeddah's bests:

H&M (Hennes & Mauritz, a Swedish high-street brand) is one of my favorite brands, it is the main reason why I would succumb to 12 long hours of drive! I was in the store for more than 2 hours, scrutinizing every item and seizing the opportunity. The result was a record-breaking shopping spree only in one store! If not for the prayer time, I would have stayed longer looking at all the nice stuff they had.

At exactly 4:30 PM, I was there waiting patiently for the store to open!

The store has a ladies' section for make-up and lingerie

Mall of Arabia is the biggest mall in Jeddah. It opened sometime in August/September 2008. It houses 330 shops of top brands (H&M can be found here). The ladies rooms have lounges with mosaic mirrors made of porcelainish material, very plush! A lot of the shops still did not open. Let's wait until this mall is in full blast.

The mall's facade

The plush toilets (where you can pee with glee!)

Jollibee, the ultimate Pinoy favorite is in Jeddah! I ordered ‘Chicken Joy’ (as if we haven't had enough chicken here) with gravy, yum! The prices are very reasonable, almost the same as its peso equivalent when converted to Riyals (2-piece Chicken Joy with rice was about SAR11). Now Filipinos here can satisfy their cravings for authentic Filipino fast food!

Busy counters at nearly 11PM

Nice photo of a construction worker in Jeddah taking a break

Red Sea - We don’t have beaches in Riyadh and seeing any body of water is quite rejuvenating. Going to beaches for picnics and swimming is one of the best ways to de-stress without spending. Perfect alternative to spend time and bond with your family aside from malling. Jeddah is also famous for the high fountain which is visible whilst in the city.

A rocky yet serene beach

Famous fountain located in the heart of the city

Al-Baik - A famous fast food which serves the best broasted chicken in the Kingdom. Broasting is a form of cooking which uses a special machine and combines pressure cooking and deep-frying chicken. This method of cooking is not common in the Philippines. This results to a less greasy meat, making it 'healthier' than regular fried chicken. Their broasted chicken is served with garlic mayonnaise and fries. Perfect to gulp down with cola (Bebsi), Al-Baik is exclusive to this city.

One of the many Al-Baik branches in Jeddah

Charap!

Abaya Souk - the ‘Abaya’ is the black robe which women have to wear everytime they go out and about in Saudi Arabia. It is paired with (of course, named after our blogsite) a tarha or hijab. Abayas are cheaper in Jeddah. I got one for SAR60, and found exactly the same design in Dirah (famous souk/market in Riyadh) for SAR100. I guess they're probably importing Riyadh abayas from there.

Jeddah keeps its warm climate even in winter. We left Riyadh wearing jackets and warmers and we took all off as we approached Jeddah. The climate is very much like the Philippines, not too humid, warm and pleasant.

Curly clouds of Jeddah skies bidding us goodbye

Planning for your next trip within the Kingdom? Try Jeddah, a must-see place. But still, Riyadh will always be first in my heart. Nothing beats the bustle, famous landmarks and wide roads of my beloved city.

*Thanks to Noemi N. and Victor V. for their contribution to the photos*