During the last couple
of domestic flights I’ve noticed a number of males walking around in the white
bath towels. Usually one wrapped around
the waist and another over the shoulders.
Initially I thought it might be something to do with dementia or an airport
shower facility. However I’ve now
realised they are probably either arriving or returning pilgrims. It’s rather a shock to see a male walking
around bared legged and sometimes showing a bare midriff!
Yesterday
I went to Al Faisaliyah shopping
centre. Mostly for something to do! It was the usually ladies and children’s
clothing stores, shies, watches, leather goods, etc. Again I managed to hang on to all my
money. However at one stage I did get
the feeling I was Bilbow Baggins surrounded by the Nazgul! Particularly when they completely cover their heads
rather than wearing the veil, which at least shows their eyes :-)
The black oval is actually a fountain and pool
The shopping centre is linked to the Al Faisaliyah
Tower. I actually had to search for the
link (corridor) between the shopping centre and the tower. It’s in the 1st Floor of the
shopping centre.
The Al Faisaliyah Tower is sometimes known locally as the 'pen' because the globe three-quarters the way up gives it the appearance of a ballpoint pen. It's the third highest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia.
Immediately below the globe is an open air viewing platform
(access cost 40 Riyals) and the dome apparently contains a revolving
revolting restaurant :-) To reach the top of the tower requires a
change in lift two thirds the way up. At
this intermediate stop you pay your fee and are directed to the second
lift. The attendant pushes the button
and once at the viewing platform you can only return to the intermediate
floor. After walking around the viewing
platform one Saudi photographer re-entered the lift and tried (unsuccessfully)
to go higher.
It was rather windy and cold on the external viewing
platform and no one had bothered to clean the glass for some time so my photo’s
look rather washed out.
You can see the "bottle opener" Kingdom Tower at the opposite end of the commercial area
There is always so much dust in the air that visibility in Riyadh is always poor. Despite some lovely architecture everything has a washed-out brown look about it!
Close-up photo of the globe
I've given up on shopping malls.......... At least it means I won't spend money!
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