" Sand, Souks, and Saudia " a Saudi Arabia Travel Page by shelnlin

When I was little, I always had an image that Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East was like part of 1001 Nights or Ali Baba and the forty thieves. I even thought that there were magic carpets and it was a mysterious place that seemed so different to my home.

Well in some ways I was right, Saudi was different to New Zealand. But there wasn't any magic carpets, there were carpets but they were not used as a mode of transportation and it even had a restaurant called 1001 nights at the Rashid Mall in Al Khubar.

Saudi Arabia is a place which is a little cut off from the rest of the world. There is no tourism here and its really sad that everyone cannot jump on a plane and come and visit it. It is a place which where east meets west and it is a place I will never forget. Saudi Arabia has a melting pot filled with all sorts of interesting cultures and it wouldn't be uncommon to share your compound/apartment building with a mixture of different people.

Saudi Arabia has suffered its fair share of flak over the years and it is a shame that alot of people down trod on it. There are good and bad things to say about this place but I mean which country in the world is considered 'good'?

The people of Saudi Arabia are some of the most hospitable I have ever met. They are generous people who will do anything to make you feel welcome and they are terrific hosts. They are giving and at the same time humble. I loved their kindness and their enquiring minds.

I hope these pages give you, the reader a glimpse into what was my home for two years and I hope you enjoy reading the little things that they often never cover on the news. I will continue to add more to this page as there is still heaps for me to write about this place even though I have now. For a bit more information on the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, have a look at my Al Khubar pages.

"When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable" `Clifton Fadiman.