Top 5 Suggestions for the Janadriyah Festival (aka Janadriyah 2014)

It's the Janadriyah season once again! I have written that sentence five times now (or more if you count my announcements in Facebook). Can you believe it? I've been attending the Janadriyah festival for YEARS now and don't I get tired?! Haha! I won't beat around the bush to tell you how AWESOME it is. Actually compared to other festivals, especially the fiestas in the Philippines, the Janadriyah is pretty boring. However, since it's the only major festival in the Riyadh province, it's already a feat on its own. There are a lot of reasons why you should go especially if it's your first time. Yes to new experiences please! I won't tell you why you should go in this entry because we've pretty much spoilt that for you in this, this, this, and this entries. 

And here we go again! :)

What I'm going to tell you though are the suggestions that might make Janadriyah more interesting. I know the organizers won't probably read this and will probably laugh at my recommendations since what do I know about organising?! Except for my slight OCD when it comes to travel itineraries, I'm not much of an organised person myself so with?! And in the hierarchy of things in the Kingdom, I am nowhere near the... hierarchy itself. Haha! But I'm just airing my POVs out there. Universe, you are listening right? 

1. An English version of the Janadriyah website with a clear program and schedule please. I am one of those people who went to the official website and was a bit frustrated. Can someone lead me to the English version please? The website can be translated by your browsers sure but isn't it easier if there's a link somewhere that says "English"? A click will lead us to a website that has all the details we should know like schedules and programs. You know how many times I've been asked what time does it start and end? Countless! And I love you, dear Pink Tarha readers, but it gets tiring answering the same question over and over. Hehe. 

Also a schedule of the program would be nice. Like when you go to Disneyland, they publish in their maps the time a performance would start so you can go to the venue ahead of time. I'm not saying Janadriyah is Disneyland (*cough*) but if I want to watch the ardha (sword dance), I want to see it from start to finish and not just chance upon it in one of the pavilions. Also, I want to catch the parade and not just hear it from the other side of the street. Chances are, when you go Janadriyah once, you will not visit again on the following days (because it's faaaar from the city centre) so cramming all the interesting sights and sites in one visit is a must. 

The sights and sites of Janadriyah... sigh... :)

2. More activities in the pavilions. I've been to the Janadriyah five times so I'm pretty much a veteran already. (Or maybe not much considering that this year is the 29th edition.) As much as I love discovering the activities and items on exhibit in each pavilion, they were pretty much the same ever since. Maybe stirring up things a little bit would be nice. Like for the Taif area, maybe free bouquets of roses? Haha! I know there might be rules and regulations and all those things that hinder growth and development but I'm sure every one would appreciate fresh ideas and more fun activities every now and then. It's like going all out since it's the only huuuge festival in Riyadh (and Saudi Arabia). 

But here are the activities you shouldn't miss: 

a. Shoot me baby one more time! Or more like 'just for one time!' LOL. You can fire an air gun at the Ministry of Interior's pavilion but only once. Or more if it's not yet the prayer time and there's no long line behind you. 

Someone enjoyed her time in the shooting range! Haha!

b. Befriend dinosaurs and kick soccer balls to smash the television screen at the King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology. 

We found new friends! Haha!

c. Get a rose from the Riyadh pavilion (when you're expecting the rose from the Taif area) and be surprised that the Riyadh Municipality has a small pavilion considering it's the capital. 

Woot, finally had a rose! And it's pink!

d. Take dramatic photos of the festival from the bridge of the Ports Authority pavilion (one of the most unique pavilions in Janadriyah) and of course, ask yourself why you're standing in a bridge in the Janadriyah festival! 

Love this view!

e. Discover street food, Saudi Arabia style at the Makkah pavilion. The smoke coming from this pavilion enticed us to enter and we didn't regret it one bit because we found a delicious spicy meat snack that looks fried but tastes grilled (awesome yeah?), doughy balls that need to be dipped in a sweet sauce, and Vimto in large vats! 

Freshly-cooked food!

3. More organised entrances, parking, and signages. In the Janadriyah, it's like we're all given a huge piece of empty lot and you can park anywhere and taxi can wait any time. There are little signs at the entrance and parking area that our driver who just dropped us off a few minutes ago got lost on his way back to us (my friend left her phone on his car so he needed to go back). He needed to thread his way in and out cars and people until he just gave up, parked somewhere, and found us on foot. Haha! I suggest you get a map at the information booths first so you know where the restrooms, first aid area, food court, etc. are. This will also prevent you from wandering around aimlessly. Wait, I guess you have to find an information booth first! Haha! 

Here's a map: 

Map of the Janadriyah Village

Please disregard the fact that they spelled a lot of words incorrectly. Ironically, they spelt "Education" with a word that doesn't even exist. 

4. More food choices please. I don't think I have to explain this further. Haha! 

The Janadriyah 2014

5. The Philippines as the guest country. I don't know what their criteria is in choosing the guest country but I think it's about time they consider the Philippines. Am I right or am I right?! Haha! No seriously, it's a great way for the Saudis to get to know our culture and it's a great way for Filipinos to be at the heart of Saudi's culture too. Also, our cultural presentations are great. You should see tinikling and pandanggo sa ilaw. And since women will probably be not allowed to perform on stage, it would be entertaining to see guys dance these cultural dances. Haha! Like Saudi Arabia, the Philippines gives value to folklore and crafts. The Philippines is a third world country, yes, but our traditions, culture, nature, and people are first rate! ;) 

Who ever gets tired of camels?!

All in all, I've seen the development and improvements in the Janadriyah this year. And they're all for the better! Yey! For one, it is tidier! There are trash bins 10 steps away from each other. And if you can't see a yellow garbage can, then there's a cleaner holding a broom and rolling another trash bin. There are more religious police but not the shouting, "I will embarrass you for the sake of embarrassing you" kind. They man the gates so please, just don't be pasaway. When they say it's for ladies and families only, follow it. The food area is more organised and they have sponsors giving out free stuff (hello Maggi, Puck, and Lipton!). The pavilions of the ministries are getting better and better. The people are friendly and welcoming. So...

I looove the crowd because it's so different from anywhere else in the world!

Visit the Janadriyah festival!!! It's open for families and ladies until February 28 from 4:00pm to midnight. Map to the Jandriyah here. It's opposite Selwa compound, just before the King Abdulla Farms. ~ Sundrenched

Q&A Portion 1

Hi dear readers! Some of you asked us questions via our formspring account and we're happy to answer them here in our blog. Here's the first batch:

1.Totoo ba (na) sa Saudi eh wala kang outlet bukod sa malling at sports sa dami ng (mga) bawal? [Is it true that in Saudi Arabia there are no outlets aside from malling and sports because of so many prohibitions?]

I guess we all know who asked this. But since it's a pretty much a decent question, here's our answer: Malling for women and sports (basketball) for men on weekends are the biggest leisure activities in the Kingdom but there are others depending on your interest. There are clubs that cater to photography, public speaking, etc. There are events that happen once in a while like family gatherings, swimming, and parties in isterahas (private compounds). There are trips and travels that expats can go to like desert camping in Red Sand or weekend getaways to Al-Khobar and Dammam. There are a lot of things to do in Saudi Arabia but let us not forget that most Filipinos came here to work and at the end of the day, we're all too tired to go out and play. So yes... the flats, villas, and housing where the laptops and Internet are are where most activities take place.

2. If you were given the choice of staying in Saudi Arabia or working in another country (USA, UK, etc...), would you leave? Or are there aspects of living in KSA that you couldn't/wouldn't want to give up?

The Pink Tarha ladies love our lives here in Saudi Arabia but we're not hypocrites to say that we won't leave if given better opportunities outside of the Kingdom. But right now, we are fine living and working in Saudi Arabia. Our families tie us to this place and we're not complaining.

3. When is the grand EB of Saudi Bloggers?

We cannot volunteer to organize this because of our schedule but tell us where and when it will be and the Pink Tarha ladies will be there! We can't wait to meet fellow Filipino bloggers in Saudi Arabia personally!

4. What do you love most about living in Saudi Arabia?

Our families.

5. Are there any particular sites/events/etc. that Saudi Arabia offers that you're convinced people need to see/experience?

Truth be told, we do not want to convince people to go to Saudi Arabia just to visit any sites here because they are not as awe-inspiring or jaw-dropping as the other tourist places in the world. (Also, tourist visas are hard to get.) All you'll see here are pretty much sand and rock mountains. It's a huge desert after all. But if you're already here in Saudi Arabia, then check our Travel category (see sidebar) for places that might pique your interest. We'll also be posting an entry on the Janadriyah Festival. It's the largest fiesta of Saudi Arabia. It's a fun, colorful, and very unique event.

5. How can i check for new sales in Riyadh?

There are no official sites that announce sales in Riyadh. The Pink Tarha ladies rely on what we read from the Arab News and our 'connections.' Lol. We pretty much know the sales schedules already. We save up for the mid-year sale (happening this June-August) and end-of-the-year sale (on December-February). There are few sales that happen in between the changes of season collections too. A tip is to befriend (not flirt with, haha!) your fave stores' salesmen so that they'll text you once their store hangs the red sign (some can even reserve items for you). Visit the Pink Tarha blog or become our fan in Facebook and we'll give you sale updates.

6. Hello ladies! If it's not too much to ask, do you know if Thalia street (where Localizer Mall is located) is somewhere near Olaya street? Many thanks... =) jeel

Hi Jeel! Thalia St. is perpendicular to Olaya St. If you're in a car and Localizer Mall is to your right, make a U-turn at the stop light (since Localizer is in a corner spot) and drive straight until you reach Centria Mall, which is located at the corner of Thalia and Olaya streets.

We're thrilled to read and answer your questions. If you have a question on anything under the sun, click here! (You can also click the ? Ask the Pink Tarha button on our sidebar for future Qs.)