Saudi ARAMCO exhibit

 We had a little trip at the weekend to the ARAMCO exhibit, we have never been before so we piled into my Dads car and went to take a look, I m afraid I didn't get many photos just of the outside. It was of course mainly about oil and its processes and uses and three of my four children are really too young to appreciate the facts but they enjoyed pressing buttons. However I was so impressed by Kuku my eldest she went around totally absorbed and even got her visual diary out to make some notes!!!

                                    I was very interested in the landscaping there, I miss gardens.



Shemagh

I am finding the ghoutra and shemagh (Arab headdress) fascinating. Initially in the vast sea of them they all appear the same. But actually there are so many variations and the fabric can be quite beautiful. Even the various ways of wearing them are nuanced and subject to fashion and generational changes. I am on the hunt for factories producing them here in the middle east if anyone can help?.

1940s Aramco pictures, Dammam house structures

I found these wonderful pictures a while ago and I don't remember where from, except that they are ARAMCO photographs taken in Dammam in the 1940s. I'm fascinated by the diversity of Architecture here. Does anyone know where these photos are from? or have any more?

Cafe Liwan

A little trip to our local Liwan cafe 'en famille' . Have you discovered it yet?

A walk on the farm

Today is the first time in months I've been able to open the windows without feeling like I just opened the oven door. Its a beautiful 35 degrees C, no humidity and an exquisite breeze. I cant tell you how blissful that is, we are looking forward to finally be able to do outside activities, flying kites and picnics on the corniche, a trip to visit the sea port, or perhaps a walk on the farm.



Since coming here Oasis Magazine is one of my favorite discoveries. It really puts you in touch with what is going on around the Kingdom. The first English language Arts and Culture Magazine from Saudi Arabia, beautifully designed it provides a real insight into Saudi arts and culture . I cant praise it enough definatly a must read for anyone interested in Saudi Arabia. Take a look at the website here or the blog here.

 

Bamboo Love

Last weekend, we had a little trip to Ikea (oh yes Ikea is in Saudi Arabia too!!!). We went with my Dad to have a little look around, and raid the houseplant section. I love houseplants but since moving here my ultra green fingers have suffered hopefully a temporary fault. Kuku my eldest had asked me for a plant of her own so that she could be 'responsible' for it. Unfortunately the shelves were quite bare with only some big plants left but we did find some bamboo. Perfect.... we took two home with us.



Bobo's has found its home in the living room.

 


Kuku's lives on her bedside table.