The 2014 FIFA World Cup Viewing at The Ritz-Carlton

SOCCER IS THE BIGGEST sport in Saudi Arabia and without a doubt, every true-blooded football fan will be glued to this historical sports event: The 2014 FIFA World Cup. It is quite the common practice here in the city that when a big game is happening, you can be assured that the streets are clear and that it’s trending on Twitter. The moment the game is over though, it is doomed to transform to a street party-ish frenzy – that is if the club that they are rooting for wins! So if you and your friends/family want to stay risk-free from all the havoc of teenage testosterone post-game-night, we suggest you stay away from the streets and head on over to The Ritz.

The Ritz-Carlton Football Lounge

Our experience of the opening games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup was not anywhere close to chaos or frenzy though. Instead, we were able to witness this grand event in the luxurious comforts of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where they beautifully transformed their poolside area into a lush and relaxed viewing atmosphere complete with white couches and faux green grass for a true soccer-field feel. Though it’s not just the décor that will catch your attention -- upon arriving to the site, your eyes will automatically glaze over the 9x6 meters-long LED screen that’s showcasing the World Cup event itself. That television (if it even still classifies as one) is of majestic proportions! We lounged around as the countdown was at 6 minutes before the opening started and we were treated to some creative canapés from their hotel restaurant. Drinks also poured in (not the alcoholic type of course) and all we could do was mesmerize at that huge TV in front of us even though the commentators were speaking Arabic. 

Such a relaxing sight. 

Another winning top view.

A television bigger than life!

Finally the opening ceremonies commenced with the area fully packed. Admittedly though, the general feedback of the opening acts were that it was colorful but lackluster, with most visitors expecting a production number with more pizzazz considering that it is BRAZIL who is hosting this year. Nevertheless, who can complain seeing J. Lo perform? I bet the men in the audience couldn’t. :)

It's staaaarting!

Hey yo, J. Lo. 

Brazil fans!

Brazil eventually won the opening game against Croatia at 3-0. So did the Ritz, for hosting such a splendid viewing event. It was indeed, an elegant premiere of a sport that is well-loved in this country. What’s better is that the viewing at The Ritz-Carlton is open to women and families too! You can choose to watch it by the poolside or down by their very fancy bowling alley which are also equipped with big screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. It would be something different and fun for you and the girls to do on a night out (maybe even play some bowling or billiards yourself!). 

The cozy, Strike Bowling Alley.

Big couches and a big TV. Not to mention top-notch service. 

To watch the special viewing at The Ritz-Carlton, call 011-802-8020 to book your seats. Matches begin from 6:30 PM to 3:00 AM and there is a minimum fee per person of 285SAR (food and beverages included). 

Also, if you are going to take photos and upload them to your social media, don't forget to hashtag them with #RCMemories.  Smile and say, Ole Ola! 

(Professional photos were provided by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel's management)

xoxo,

Eyecandy

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Riyadh

T: 011-802-8020

Website: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Riyadh/Default.htm

Like them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ritzcarltonriyadh

The Certified Riyadhizen Checklist

Hello 2014, Riyadhizens! It's a bit silent in our blog yeah? Don't fret, I just came back to Riyadh and hopefully, I get to churn and weave more entries than I ever did in the 5 years of The Pink Tarha's existence. Wait, did someone say 5 YEARS?! Oh my goodness! What an online existence! We will celebrate it, just wait for a bit. It ain't happening until January 24... so just mark your calendars for now. But I tell you, we have something up our tarhas sleeves for our anniversary week! Yipeee!

Before celebrating our fifth anniversary (I can't believe it's the fifth! O.O), I'd like to elaborate on the term "RIYADHIZEN". We've been using it for the longest time and we haven't exactly explained what it is. Well, simply put, a Riyadhizen is a person living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You think it's more complicated than that? Na-ah! Whether you're a local or a foreigner as long as you're here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, then... congratulations, you are a Riyadhizen! Eyecandy came up with the word after finding out that Riyadhi and Riyadhites are already frequently used. You see, there is always a need for originality. So Riyadh + citizen = RIYADHIZEN! :P

Now we understand that each and everyone of us has his/her own experience and life stories in Riyadh. As for me, I've been here in the desert for 6 years (6 years!!! Wut! Where did all those years go?!) while Shoegarfreeruby has been working here for more than a decade now (I will refrain from using exclamation points). Eyecandy and Sampaguita Pride practically grew up here. So, what's your story?

I prepared a list of things that will make you a "Certified Riyadhizen" in our eyes. It doesn't matter that much if you've done, plan on doing, or doesn't want to do all the items in the list but it would be awesome if you've ticked them all wouldn't it? We've compiled some of our experiences in living in Riyadh and all the other stuff we still want to do and decided to share them with you. (Yes, bored much!) You are free to do them, you are free to ignore them. We don't exactly give out a certificate that say you are a certified Riyadhizen so yeah... up to you! I'm pretty sure you've done or experienced some of the items below.

Here goes in no particular order the things you can do as a (or because you are a) Riyadhizen:

• Eat shawarma with lots of garlic sauce (if you can request it)
• Eat kabsa with your hands.
• Drink Suntop with a zaatar croissant.
• Eat Kwality ice cream from the bakala on a cold, winter morning.
• Know who Captain Majid is.
• Drink 3 cups of ghawa/khawa.
• Try the different kinds of dates and determine your favorite.
• Take a picture with a camel (because everyone back home expects you to).
• Ride an ATV in the red sand dunes.
• Attend a Saudi wedding without dropping your jaw at the grandness of it all.
• Pick a place beside a road and have a picnic with your family and friends. Like, anywhere!
• Make use of Kiri, the soft cheese in triangular packs, in 3 kinds of sandwiches.
• Visit the Skybridge and shout "I'm at the top of the world" somewhere in the middle.
• Use an overpass in King Fahd Road.
• Teach a cab driver your native language (or let them teach you the directions in theirs).
• Brave the traffic during the Saudi National Day (and get home without ever blowing your top).
• Cheer for Al Hilal (get to know the team first).
• Go shopping until 2:00 am during Ramadan.
• Have suhoor in a restaurant as 4:00 am.
• Smile at a muttawa.
• Ride the train from Riyadh to Dammam and vice-versa.
• Take a photo of yourself in the traditional garb in Diriyah or the Ushaiger Village.
• Collect at least 3 gums as change in your neighborhood bakala.
• Build a castle using the desert's sand.
• Dance under the 'once in a blue moon' rain in Riyadh.
• Donate blood in one of the government hospitals.
• Travel to one place outside Riyadh... that is not Al Khobar, Dammam, or Jeddah.
• Give your officemate a compliment. 
• Go on a 30-day fast... not during Ramadan.
• Have breakfast in IKEA. Just breakfast... no going around the whole store. No buys either.
• Learn a foreign language. 
• Go to Janadriyah 2014.
• Finish a book inside Jarir Bookstore (sit in one of their chairs).
• Run a marathon.
• Attend a coffee morning... while drinking coffee for good measure.
• Marvel at the duplication of words (shweya shweya, sura sura, khamsa khamsa, etc.).
• Learn diving... in Riyadh.
• Attend a Pink Tarha event.
• Take a day off and spend it with yourself.
• Walk/jog/stroll around Prince Sultan University or King Fahd Medical City.
• Navigate Batha like a pro.
• Find a beautiful abaya in Souk Taibah or Dirah Souk.
• Haggle in Haraj souk until the vendor actually gives you the item for free!
• Survive a sale season... meaning you don't get to buy any thing.
• Learn how to cook curry.
• Get lost in finding a store or a restaurant (told you, look at the maps after our entries!).
• Jot down the variations of "barber shop" you'll see.
• Draw the Riyadh skyline.
• Add one item in this list.

If you've done all these, then good for you! Because I personally haven't and I would like to meet someone who already did. Haha! Again, we don't discriminate; if you haven't done all or any of the following, then fine. You are still a certified Riyadhizen in our eyes. Not as experienced though. Hahaha! Kidding! We love you still! Not kidding! 

Onwards to 2014 shall we? HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! ~ Sundrenched