Edge of the World!

A few weeks ago I took a trip to the Edge of the World just outside Riyadh city, KSA.  It is about about 200 NE of Riyadh and straight up from the Acacia Valley (trees that grow in the desert). 

Getting there was an adventure on its own!  You cannot take any less than a large 4*4 or you will for sure get stuck in the red sand pockets!  You can expect alot of bumps and flying off your seats getting to this location - it certainly is NOT for the faint of heart or people with weak stomachs! The desert tracks can be tricky and dangerous to unfamiliar tourists....thank God we went with a tour guide and friends.

This spectacular view is an escarpment that reaches as far as the eyes can see. Edge of the World actually used to be located at the bottom of the ocean 50 million years ago...I searched for fossils!

After rainfalls, the dried up rivers that you see in the photo above turn into real rivers because the water rushes down from the escarpment down into the plains below!


The view is no less than dramatic and captivating.  It is definitely a tough climb, but when you reach the top of any of the peaks (or the fingers of Allah), you feel a sense of accomplishment and overall calmness.  If there was a place that some one needed to sit down and reflect on their life, or be inspired by God's nature - this place would be it.  The stillness is moving.

Sitting up on the peaks, I could see eagles flying around the escarpments - I am sure that many of them had nests in the walls.

My beautiful mother and I enjoying the scenery

Sitting around drinking Saudi coffee and sharing some stories

Of course, our fearless leader Fares - preparing a delicious desert lunch!

After a few hours of trekking through the desert escarpment and enjoying the sun, it was time to head down to the group where Fares (our leader) had prepared a wonderful desert lunch for us. 

The best part of this trip was meeting and talking to people from all over the world who are here in KSA to make a difference.   It is amazing to hear about all of the different projects and ventures that are taking place right here in KSA.

Slowly tiptoeing my way down to the edge!  It is no joke - a nurse actually fell to her death a few years ago

 This has been my favorite trip since I have been in KSA.  It was an unforgettable experience to just sit at the highest peak and look down below at history.  

To my friends and family back home - I miss you all very much, please keep your emails and comments coming - they make a world of difference.  Love you all..xo



Stay tuned for baboons in Taif and the Red Sea of Jeddah!

Riding 4 wheelers under the red sand desert sun!

Last week I took a trip with the hospital and some great friends to the desert to ride 4 wheelers.  It was such a great experience.  The scenery on the way to the Red Sand Desert was spectacular.  Beautiful rock formations - it was so amazing to me to see that in the desert, the colour of the sand changes...some is a light tan colour, and the farther in we went, the sand was a deep red colour ..t to ride 4 wheelers.  It was such a great experience.  The scenery on the way to the Red Sand Desert was spectacular.  Beautiful rock formations - it was so amazing to me to see that in the desert, the colour of the sand changes...some is a light tan colour, and the farther in we went, the sand was a deep red colour ..

When we finally arrived, we got to choose our buggie and get ready for riding on the sand dunes!   Of course, as we got started, it was a bit scary...those sand dunes can be some what intimidating for the inexperienced buggie rider!
We also got to catch some kids sand surfing!

This is Fares, our amazing hospital social activities planner!  

I took my mom out for a ride..she was scared at first..but then kept pointing out hills she wanted to me to go on...but screamed all the way down!!

Taking a rest ....notice the tracks beside me...some serious critters left those!

so happy to be under the warm sun!

look closely....its a two hump camel!  ...rare to see ...we were very lucky!

Gemma and I posing for a quick photo before we got lost in the desert....just kidding of course!

Our wonderful group of KFSHRC employees from around the world sharing a delicious desert potluck!  

Stay tuned for my trip to EDGE of the WORLD!!

Traditional Saudi Food - Najd Village

A couple of weeks ago some wonderful Saudi friends took my mom and I to Najd Village so we can try traditional Saudi food.

Najd Village is a must for any expat living or traveling through Riyadh. Najdi refers to the old Riyadh and can refer to a person, dialect or food. The Najd Village specializes in old fashioned cuisine - it was incredible to see the number of people who go to eat at this establishment after Friday prayers.  Expats and Saudis alike adore their delicious food.

Best part is that the restaurant is a traditional mud house.  All around the restaurant you will see antiques placed delicately on the walls such as dullahs, pictures and cooking utensils. 

To reach the dining area, you walk up a narrow stairway into the main entrance.   Staying true to Najdi Saudi tradition and customs, men sit on the floor making chai and qahwa (tea and coffee) over an open fire.. Looking around you will find tables of spices, dates hanging from the ceiling and more antiques that you will definitely want to take your time to look at.

Now let's get to the part that you have been waiting for - the food itself!  The menu is a delight - candy to the eyes really.  I could not decide on what to choose and so the boys decided to get the works.  Filled with salads, soups, bread, main and seasonal dishes as well as desserts.   As we waited for our dinner, the server brought over some traditional Saudi coffee and fresh dates.

 

My personal favorite dish on the menu would hands down be the moqalqal which is boneless lamb with pepper and tomatoes sauce.  I also love the sweet sweet sabeeb; village brown bread topped with honey and a cup of hot black chai. 

Because we were a large party - the boys ordered 'sofra alqarya' (the village dinner)which was a little bit of everything. Dishes as lamb and chicken kabsa, rice, goursan, marqooq, saleeq were included (Check out the delicious platter that we were served!)

FYI - if you’re looking for a table and chair this is not the place Najd is as traditional as it gets even down to the metal bowls used to hold the drinks. As you notice - I am sitting on the ground as this is how Saudis traditionally eat.  Also - all the dishes are shared - no individual bowls here!

After our bellies were full and I was absolutely satisfied with the incredible platter of food we had eaten, desert came with a pot of delicious tea.  The desert was made with Saudi dates - I probably could have eaten a full plate myself.

I want to thank my wonderful friends Abdallah, Mishaal & Bandar for this wonderful experience.  I am definitely hooked on Saudi Kabsas!

Camel Souq!!

Last weekend we went to go visit the Riyadh Camel Souq.  We saw 4 different types of camels and ended our tour with a camel ride.

The bus picked us up at the hospital bus stop and I met a few new friends from Australia, England & Spain.  We drove about 30 minutes until we got to the Souq.  There were so many farms that had adult & baby camels.

Camels drinking

Some of the most beautiful animals I have ever seen - their best feature...their gentle eyes and long luscious eyelashes.

Enjoying the sweet farm aromas!

These are used to hold either camel poop or hold the udders up.  I also learned that sometimes camel herders often sleep under the camel...they pitch a hammock and so that they don't get pooped/urinated on, they cover those camel parts with these sacks!

Enjoying delicious Saudi coffee and dates from the camel herders

Saudi women make handicrafts that are placed on camels and are available to be purchased by locals & tourists like us!  

Goodbye camels!

KSA - Riyadh National Museum

One of the most beautiful museums I have every seen is located in Riyadh city.   Inside the National Museum, Riyadh, you can find a captivating display of Saudi Arabia's culture in past and present forms. There are different types of antiques, manuscripts, documents and display boards that showcase an era.

  Walking through The National Museum was like taking a walk through Arabia's rich history and the evolution of its culture.


The Saudi National Museum, is part of The King Abdul-Aziz Historical Center.  It was built to celebrate 100 years since the Saudi Unification.  The museum covers 28,000 square meters and includes exhibition halls, featuring artifacts, documents, manuscripts, display boards, multi-media presentations, films and documentaries which take you through Arabian history.

Palace corridors..incredible

 look what I found..ancient gold .. jewelry and coins

The museum takes you through history as it displays major influences which shaped Arabia and eventually the unification.. Pre-Islamic Era, Arabian Kingdoms, The Prophet's Mission, Hajj & The Two Holy Mosques, Unification of the Kingdom, First & Second Saudi States, Islam & the Arabian Peninsula.

Lush gardens inside and outside the palace grounds, this is where families gather on cool desert nights enjoying late dinners.  

The KSA Riyadh National Museum is a must for any traveller to Riyadh.. highly recommended!

First Week in Beautiful Riyadh!

Finally landed in Riyadh!!!

At the airport we were greeted by King Faisal Research Hospital staff.  You know when you are getting off the plane and you see people holding name cards for other passengers and you secretly wish it was your name?  Well that is how we were greeted!  What wonderful hospitality.  I got a SIM card for my phone right at the airport - which was so convenient and the driver loaded our luggage and with my apartment key in hand we headed off to KFRH!

We arrived around 5 am to the apartment, unpacked, and at 11:30, I was greeted by the program coordinator Ruby who brought coffee and Dunkins Donuts (exactly what we needed).  My orientation began soon after.  Ruby took me around to see the hospital facilities and showed me the Training and Development center where I am currently teaching.   It really is wonderful to have some one show you around! I spent the first week - getting my ID badge, social club membership, access to logins, touring facilities, meeting other faculty, getting my internet and cable set up.. so much accomplished in one week!  Thanks Ruby!

King Faisal Research Hospital!  WOW
A large facility, with a very diverse employee population.  I believe that you can find almost every single nationality working here.  Marble floors and long hallways, several eating facilities, salons, convenience store, employee social club, swimming pools for staff, gyms...these are only some of the amenities provided here.  I find the hospital to be unique and welcoming - it seems as though there are thousands of employees working here.  It is like a city within a city..

   

I am sure that many of you are wondering.. do you have to wear the abaya?  The answer is yes!  In the hospital, I wear a lab coat over my clothing but, I do also have to dress modestly as it is an Islamic country.  Alot of the women here also cover their faces revealing only beautiful brown middle eastern eyes.  Karen lent me her abayas to wear until I got my own!  Shopping for Abayas is another thing all together.  I thought - how difficult can it be to buy an abaya?  But...I have been to over 20 abaya stores and have yet to find a couple that I can truly be happy wearing - there are so many designs and they vary in cost...anywhere from 80 riyals up to 6000 riyals!  ( 1 Canadian Dollar = 3.75 Riyals).  I figure, if I am going to buy an abaya - I want to go allll out!  I will keep you posted on my first abaya purchase!

I got to meet my students the day after I arrived.  They were so wonderful - 7 women and 3 men.  All are hospital employees completing the Exec Admin program offered through Niagara College at the hospital.  This will be my second week teaching them and I am enjoying them more and more each day.

Stay tuned for my next blog about seeing some old friends who I missed dearly and all of the wonderful places they took us to in just one week!

Also...stay tuned for the Camel Souq (Camel market!), Riyadh tour, seeing the Edge of the World!

I will leave you with photo of the week.....Can you guess what I am holding?!

Evil Eyes...Istanbul Airport

After a very interesting flight on Turkish Airlines, I finally landed in Istanbul!

I would have loved a wait time between my flights that was long enough to leave the airport and be able to walk around the streets of Istanbul, but unfortunately....I only had a 4 hour until my flight to Riyadh.  Istanbul's airport was unique..there was a bazaar where they gave away all different kinds of turkish delight! Naturally, I tried each one...more than once!!! LOL

Evil Eyes..
Call it superstitious, but I never felt safer than when I walked into the Bazaar and saw hundreds of blue eyes looking at me..thats right..the Evil Eyes..  They were on wall decorations, bracelets, pottery, bookmarks, mousepads, ipad covers, you name it.  So if you ever feel the need to keep evil away from you, look no further..just fly to the Turkish airport and stock up.  They were so beautiful - almost all were an Azurian blue..

Turkish Ice Cream..
Of course..I had to try it when I saw the man using this long utensil to stir the ice cream and then place it on the cone so perfectly!  I tried Pistachio Turkish Ice Cream..it was fabulous..

Loved the Turks at the airport..but I am excited to land in Riyadh!  Off we go!