Fall weather and Shopping

It is starting to feel like fall here -- much drier and breezy.   Our weekend trips to the pool have to happen in midday when the sun is out; before we had to go in the morning or afternoon to avoid the bright sun.  Today my outdoor lunch duty was pleasant rather than scorching -- it did only get to 94 degrees today :)

I took some more photos of our daily life here in Al Khobar.

Saco World is a big, brand new hardware store.  Saco stands for "Saudi Arabian Company". Jack likes to try out the massaging chairs they have on display.

The delicious akawi cheese pie I like to order at the brick oven at the grocery store.  They make it while I shop and then we eat it on the way home.

The whipping cream I just bought for banana pudding (thanks dad for the banana pudding mix!)

Long-life milk is very common here, and most of our dairy products are locally produced.

And this is our house...actually we drive by this everyday on the way to work and I fondly think of the Pleasure Cruiser...and wonder how did an RV get to Saudi Arabia?!

Hyperpanda shopping center

Jack and I took an early morning walk to the shopping center nearby.  I rarely get a chance to take pictures in public places because Saudis are fairly private and modest people (understatement...).  But at 7am no one was out (and nothing but Starbucks was open) so I took some photos.

The main grocery store is called Hyperpanda and has a giant shopping cart in front.  These pictures are in the food court.  I don't know if I've explained the seating arrangements in public places before or not.  Every place is separated into "singles"and "family" sections.  The "singles" section is for men only.  The "family" section is for women, children, and men who are accompanied by their wives. So if Rob goes out by himself he has to go to the singles' side, and if he's with me he goes to the family side. 

For example, the Starbucks is essentially two identical Starbucks divided by a wall, with separate entrances, and the one guy working there goes back and forth between the two sides.  The family side has frosted glass on the windows, and the singles side has clear glass and an outside seating area.  All restaurants with seating are like this, or at least have dividers that they set up between tables to provide privacy for women.  Some places, like the banks, are separated strictly into "men" and "ladies" sections rather than the "family" section.

Grill Xpress which has Lebanese food like hommus, tabbouli, kabobs -- and Shawarma Inn

Dhow Restaurant with fried fish and chicken, and a Chinese restaurant

"Singles section"

"Family section" - notice the barriers put up for privacy

"Singles" seating -- by Mongolian Grill, something I don't know, Popeyes, Baskin Robins