haj terminal and other Jiddah, Saudi Arabia Local Custom Tips

To accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims, a unique Haj Terminal was established at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.
The Haj Terminal sits on 35 sq miles in a desert where temperatures often reach
55°C.
The Haj Terminal serves almost one million polgrims who visit Makkah during a 6-week period once every year. Pilgrims often spend from 18-36 hours in the terminal on their way between Makkah and their home city. This terminal, an almost separate holding area, was deemed necessary when the Saudis expected a rise in the number of pilgrims after 1975.
The terminal is comprixed of both rectangular, two storey, air-conditioned buildings which contain immigration services, and rectangular platforms covered by tent-like fabric roofs.
Warm light is admitted through the translucent material, but because it is made for low transmission of heat, only 7% of the available light is admitted. So, even though the exterior temperature may be well over
45°C, the temperature under the tents seldom exceeds 25°C.

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When a woman living in Saudi Arabia appears in public, she normally wears a voluminous black cloak called an abbeya, a scarf covering her hair and a full-face veil. There are varying opinions regarding the wearing of the abbeya and hijab (literally curtain or veil); however, Saudi women cover themselves in public and in the presence of men who are not close relatives.
Women's fashions do not stop with the abbeya, though if you are a male, that is all you are likely to see. Beneath the black cloak, Saudi women enjoy fashionable clothing and take great pride in their appearance. They enjoy bright colours and lavish material.

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Along the corniche there are lots of these wee foodstands selling drinks, hot and cold food, films, clothes, souvenirs - anything you want.
Its nice in the evenings to wander down the corniche, watching the sun set and seeing the city come to life.

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Along the corniche are the public beaches, the locals swim here during the weekends mainly.
Small children will wear togs, women will stay fully covered, and guys will wear long pants.

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In Jeddah, a lot of families/friends have picnics in the evenings (once the sun sets it gets a bit cooler).
Common sites are: around the monuments, sculptures and grassy median strips, and also along the roadsides on undeveloped land.

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Jeddah is located on the Red Seas, and therefore has a lot of coastline for fishing.
People shorefish along the corniche, off the public and private beaches, and deep sea fish off boats.

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During the evening prayertimes when shopping at Hera'a Souk a lot of familes and women hang out at The Bakery Shop lounge -down the end near Gate 18.
The waiters come around with trays of food and drink for sale.
Its a chance to give your feet a rest and to have some dinner.

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The drink of choice in Jeddah seems to be freshly made juice. There are juice stands everywhere, and prices start at about SR 3 a glass. You choose your own fruit combinations.
My favourite is strawberry, mango, kiwifruit, pinapple, lime, papaya and mint.
A good way to get in your 5+ a day!!

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