A Trip to Riyadh's Cultural Sweet Spot (PART I of II)

Who says you can’t have a little adventure in Riyadh?

More than two weeks ago, Sundrenched and I, along with my beloved brother, spent our weekend in a not-so-usual manner. By that I mean, we didn't lounge around within the confines of our homes, exercising with the refrigerator doors and playing thumbwrestling with the remote control. We actually went on an outing, hopped on a bus and went to a place we've never been before.

We’re lucky enough that our office’s Employee Social Club sponsors local (and international) trips for quite a reasonable fee. One of this month’s trips was to the Riyadh National Museum and the King Abdulaziz Historical Center. It was a good idea to shake up our weekend routines and see the sights of the Riyadh. (This is quite embarrassing on my part since I’ve lived here all my life yet I haven’t seen this landmark until then!)

Riyadh’s National Museum is right beside King Abdulaziz Historical Center and it hosts a large park area where cultural booths, playgrounds and food vendors can be found. We arrived at around 4:30 in the afternoon and were psyched to the core! Being with a tour group gives me license to take photographs and carry a big camera around my neck without having to worry (as much) with the religious police breathing down my neck. The people at the area seem to understand that it's a tourist spot, still, I was surprised to know that I was free to shoot my heart out. Yay!

Sundrenched is making faces. :) Behind is the open area where all the cultural booths are set up.

We arrived at during the late afternoon. It was a sweet spot for me because it wasn't crowded just yet and was able to chitchat with some of the vendors. Shoufti (Look):

A Saudi vendor, offering cashews and nuts for SR5 per half-kilo. A munchy snack while walking around the area.

A Bedouin woman showing off her skills with a ball of cotton (?) and a stick.

Ladies of Riyadh in their natural habitat: clothed in abayas and searching for a good buy.

Souvenir paintings and magic carpets for sale! :)

A tribesman selling teeny, tiny, silver weaponry.

Once we wrapped up roaming around the booth area, we headed on to the museum proper. Sundrenched will give you the low down on the must sees of the museum on the Part II of this entry. :)

A stroll in the park, headed to the museum. That's Sundrenched btw.

Sneak peek: Mountain climbing anyone?

Banners of the Kingdom's treasures (inside the National Museum).

We finished up our tour of the museum come evening time. When we stepped out, I was overwhelmed to see the number of people spending their Thursday evening at the park. It was PACKED! It's been a while since I've been amidst an almost-roaring Saudi crowd. Families were sitting everywhere possible, talking, eating and simply enjoying the company of the rest of the crowd. For a minute there, I felt like I was at Intramuros (in the Philippines), taking in a deep, cultural breath of Saudi life.

Facade of the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center

Come evening time, the park area was packed with people!

Ako na ang malakas ang loob! Taking a photo in front of a police car! *hehe* You can see one of Riyadh's landmark, the Water Tower standing prominently at the back.

The place is such a hotspot, media people are around to interview the Saudi public on how they enjoy their weekends. :)

Sundrenched was obviously my muse throughout the entire photowalk! Here she is, enjoying a not so-usual night, surrounded by all these people! :D

There was a lot of walking involved, but for the most part, we were just so happy to be OUT! Not only out-out, but out and about among the Saudi public. It was like watching them in their natural habitat...and seeing how a simple their joys are.

Sundrenched will be putting up a more detailed account of the museum trip itself, so watch out for that!

For now, ta-ta!

-ec-