The Saudi king is back after three months of absence; he was in the US for a surgery which went successful and later in Morocco to recover. Today he arrives in Riyadh and evidently, this city sure knows how to throw a royal welcome. A few days ago, the fountain and the roundabout fronting the Riyadh Airbase gates were decorated with flags and lights (too Christmas-y if I may say). Most of the main streets have been adorned with welcome banners, some buildings are sporting portraits of the king, and flagpoles sprouted out from every major street corner so the Saudi flag flapped nicely.
This afternoon, I got a bit claustrophobic from too many people in the office and decided to step out a bit. This scene, along with a breeze carrying sand and dust, greeted me:
This afternoon, I got a bit claustrophobic from too many people in the office and decided to step out a bit. This scene, along with a breeze carrying sand and dust, greeted me:
This is the situation in King Abdullah (formerly Prince Abdullah) Road, named after the former when he was still crown prince.
I pray that this is over before work hours end, otherwise, I’m in for a long drive home. I’m a bit worried that Saudis have cranked their festive mood a few notches higher than usual, which more or less means they’d be in their cars racing through the streets or, in this case, inching their way forward with loud music blasting from their car stereos. It’s not the most evil thing in the world but no offense my Saudi friends, you are known to be notorious on the streets. :D Oh well, at least that’s not as awkward as being instructed to hand out roses to random people on the streets like I’ve read from a fellow expat’s story.
I pray that this is over before work hours end, otherwise, I’m in for a long drive home. I’m a bit worried that Saudis have cranked their festive mood a few notches higher than usual, which more or less means they’d be in their cars racing through the streets or, in this case, inching their way forward with loud music blasting from their car stereos. It’s not the most evil thing in the world but no offense my Saudi friends, you are known to be notorious on the streets. :D Oh well, at least that’s not as awkward as being instructed to hand out roses to random people on the streets like I’ve read from a fellow expat’s story.
In line with this, Crown Prince Sultan has declared this coming Saturday (Feb.26) an official holiday for all ministries, government departments, schools and universities all over the Kingdom. Good for you, employees of the public and government sector. I, on the other hand, would still have to wake up as early as usual for belonging to a private commercial office. There are about a few rumors spreading in line with King Abdullah’s arrival - that overstaying OFW prisoners in Saudi jails will be sent home and existing loans made by Saudi nationals will be cleared (sounds good!) and that a Saudi Revolution is brewing (un-oh, not so good) is just a few of them. Oh, and let’s not forget that Sheraton Riyadh Hotel is offering 50% discount off the rates on all their rooms until Friday (this one’s 100% true). Why? Because the king is back. That’s that!
