"SAUDI ARABIA WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!" Saudi Arabia by TOKYO64

I first arrived in Saudi Arabia on August 31, 1997. I was amazed at the extreme differences between America and the world for that matter and Arabia. I saw people walking around with two or three wives. Guys blowing kisses on their friend's cheeks during greetings and many modern buildings, wonderful cafes, restaurants and many old relics and places to see. It was like living in a huge open air museum!

While living there I sometimes complained about those differences but later I learned to enjoy the difference. This was not like any other place I had ever been too. I didn't really understand Arabia until I left almost four years later. The bottom line is I loved the people and the place! Arabs are some of the most misunderstood people in the world. They were the friendliest and most hospitable people I met. They literally offered me the shirt off their back. Yeah I didn' t like the way women were treated and still don't like it now but that is not for me (or any other American) to change. That must come from within!

I feel fortunate to not only have been there but to live there too! Not many people in this world can say they have been to Saudi Arabia, except if you were in the military. As for me I was a civilian living there and that made it all the better. And now for the first time in my life I can honestly say that I miss Saudi Arabia!

Windows in Old Jeddah!

Jeddah is one of those cities located on the Red Sea that is just as lively as any other big city. But it doesn't stop there. There is so much to do. My first trip there had my mouth hanging out. I couldn't believe all the huge artifacts that were put up by local companies. And they were nice too. I saw giant coffee pots, huge lamps and many other things up there.

I want you to notice the windows in the buildings in this part of Old Jeddah. These are covered so that the women can see you but you can't see them looking out. This place was so surreal especially at night! The first time I walked through Old Jeddah from the nearby modern shopping malls (and there are many) The last prayer was being announced and I felt like I had walked back in time by about 2000 years!

A friend and his son---forever!!!

Abha is located in southwest Arabia and it sits on the edge of the escarpment so the weather is a lot more pleasant than the rest of the country. I lived in a town called Khamis Mushayt which was about 30 minutes away to the north. Abha was my playground away from "home." They had nicer cafes and there was a huge western style hotel there. The souk (shopping center) was awesome too and the city was set up quite nice.

I found this gentleman and his son at the top of the hill where there was a nice restaurant with an awesome view of Abha. I had to take his photo because I wanted people to see just how normal people were in Arabia. Although we couldn't communicate because of my lack of Arabic knowledge although I can speak a little, you could see and feel the love he had for his son and the gentleness he displayed toward me and my friends.

I will never forget how peaceful it was living in Saudi Arabia. And there was virtually no stress except for the occasional bad driver. But I would walk down the street and people wouldn't bother me or insult me or make me feel like I wasn't wanted. I just have to say this--I can't wait for Bush to get out of office and maybe, just maybe we as Americans can wake up and see just how beautiful these people and places really are!

• Pros:Very safe, friendly and hospitable people and you will never tire of the scenery!
• Cons:Bad drivers
• In a nutshell:More than just a desert and camels!