Compounds in Saudi have different festivals throughout the year. You must purchase a ticket and of course go through heavy security to enter any Western compound. It is like stepping back into a Western country with a Middle Eastern touch! The picture above shows a Country Western dance group. A band performed as well and handed out their Cds at the end of their performance. Of course all of these things are banned in Saudi but inside the compound it is a different world.
lots of Western food vendors
Shawarma sandwiches as well
Crafts, food and games!
Incredible.
Like a world within a wall.
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It really is! this was a smaller compound too not one of the huge fancy ones
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Amazing.
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yes it is really weird in many ways!
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So, it’s nice, entertaining and … a lot of food 🙂
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yes for sure!
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Oh, that at least looks like fun, Lynz!
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yes so much fun! i was shocked
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For once a positive shock, I guess!
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haha yes so true Erika a very positive shock. To be honest I was shocked he agreed to go, but he did!!
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After what you shared with us truly a huge surprise!
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yes, he got stricter as he lost control but also did do some little things to this sinking ship to keep us not so unhappy! lol
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Exactly… sinking ship! I guess you observed that pretty well or actually it was part of you surviving that all.
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yes for sure
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Did you also wear western clothing when you went, Lynn? Must have been nostalgic to be immersed in the music and food while living in Saudi.
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I didn’t. I was surprised to see live performers there with music and dancing! They also had holiday type of festivals. I only went to this one!!! but heard about them allot!
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Wow for a brief moment it’s like you are living outside of Saudi Arabia. Thats amazing, it reminds me of our block parities here. Must have been nice for you all.
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I love your post with the neighborhood at halloween, yes so much like that I think!
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Thank you Lynn!!
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Loved it!
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Looks like a fun time!
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Yes there are lots of things like that to do and yes fun
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Good to know that the children had some fun!
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yes it was nice
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How refreshing for you and your lovely children to enjoy these events! A little home from home for you too ☺️
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yes so true! Thanks Frances
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Wow it would be a world unto itself in Saudi Arabia. Shawarma sandwiches are yummy though.
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yes it really is! I never thought much about it at the time! lol
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Looks great!!! Totally festive…..
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oh yes for sure!
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Wow, so interesting to see something like that in the MIddle East!
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yes it was truly interesting they had bizarres, craft festivals etc.
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I’m sure it was comforting to have a taste and the experiences of home, while at the same time being a bit odd. 🙂
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yes it really was. It was weird and strange to hear people singing and playing music as it had been years for me. No music, no pictures, no fun haha so it was strange!
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I’m so glad you had opportunities like that while you were there.
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yes they were few and far between but I had good friends and my parents came so it was those special times to look forward to!
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The Pizza Hut sign looked way out place…
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haha I know! It is weird to see Western places there!
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Looks very entertaining. Interesting about the security.
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high security. in our compound no one was allowed in and visitors had to walk in. all vehicles checked each time you entered!
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Wow! I guess if you’re used to it, it’s ok.
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yes you have to get used to it! But it’s not fun!
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I can imagine.
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🙂
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Looks like a fun festival. It seems you have fond memories of this. 🙂
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yes it was nice! A bright spot for sure! thanks spear!
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Wow!! Seems like fun… Hope you enjoyed a lot. 🙂
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Thanks dear Nimmi!
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Welcome my dear! 😊 💕
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🙂
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Do you know Lynn I was talking with a rather ill-informed and ignorant woman yesterday who was complaining that the refugees and immigrants generally did not assimilate into our society but kept themselves separate – therefore they ought not be allowed into the country was her point [I think].
I asked her if she found herself in a new country with a new language, different culture, different religious rules and laws and commonplace understandings, would she not also gravitate to those who understood her language, her culture, her religious rules and laws and commonalities? She said ‘But that is different, we don’t have all their funny ways.’ That comment ended the discussion for me, I can’t stand by that degree of ignorance and keep my cool!
I wish I could have shown her your line dancing picture – if that isn’t odd what is? 🙂
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you are very wise and what you said is full of valid and wonderful points! When I lived in Saudi I looked for American, British, Canadian etc. friends, I loved shopping at Safeway and found it comforting to be around English speakers! As you said just normal human behavior!Lovely points you make!!
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I am sure the children loved going to this festival! What a nice reprieve from everything else you endured.
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thanks Julie! It was fun.
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Surreal. So surreal. Hugs, Lynn!! 🙂
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thanks Cathy!hugs back dear!
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I keep reading your blog. So interesting. We just found a great little store here in Fla. called Bulk Nation…reminded me of some of the markets in Abu Dhabi.
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wow that is cool!
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That is so interesting! It is nice that you had reminders of home like this.
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Thanks Antonia!
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Oh how great for you to have such a lovely reminder of home. A real western atmosphere and country and western music – and dancing! It looks such fun with all those stalls – and western food! How different to the strict regime outside those walls. Wonderful photos, Lynn. Thank you for sharing this.
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Yes so true Millie big difference! thanks for stopping by!
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So interesting Lynn! Did it seem strange to see people without covers like that? I read that you stayed covered still, but I imagine it had to be different for you and your children.
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I always covered from beginning until after I moved here. The strangest thing was just dancing, music and things not allowed outside!
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Do you still cover when you go out here?
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I don’t now. I did until a huge stress and I couldn’t take it any more. He asked God to destroy me and anyone who supported me! So I really freaked out and quit covering. I felt that God would be after me! That is how ridiculous it had become! I felt I was running away and hiding! I covered for almost 30 years.
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I’m so sorry. That had to be terrible.
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Life changed allot and took many other weird twists along the way but now things seem fairly settled.
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I hope it gets better and better!
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thanks Sadie!
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I’m not sure if my replies are going through… I bet that took some getting used to when you got back here.
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Hi yes I am getting your messages. It did take allot of getting used to. It was hard to adjust. It was kind of like leaving a cult although the religion was not a cult but his weird world was!
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Right, I can only imagine:(
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🙂 thanks for caring dear Sadie!
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I really do:)
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🙂
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Looks like fun! 🙂
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So much fun especially in Saudi when no other fun things to do, it was a big treat!
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Fun in Saudi Arabia sound fun! 😃
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Hi thanks for stopping by
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Bet those were good times! It reminds me of the State Fair!
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Yes so true Tasha!
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Looks inviting. You guys must have had loads of fun. Nice to see the relaxed side of life in Saudi at least within a compound.
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Thanks! yes it was fun
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Although it looks like huge fun, it would have made me yearn for home. Now you can go to as many festivals as you wish 🙂
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oh yes Marisa for sure! thanks!
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Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
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Thanks:)
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You are welcome:)
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🙂
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What fun! ❤ 😀
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yes it sure was!
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Now that I am a Pennsylvanian transplanted in Florida, I wonder if I will do the same and seek out Nor’ Easterners? LOL!
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hahaha!! how is it? Are you there and settled in?
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You have some wonderful experiences Lynz!!
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I truly have!
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What amazing contrasts!
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Yes very!
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It looks like any county fair I’ve ever been too! So glad you at least had that!
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Thanks!
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Another very interesting peek into your life in Saudi. Thanks for sharing another story! I would have never guessed you would be paying pics of people in cowboy hats dancing outside lol!
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haha yes I know!
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Thanks Lynn, for showing us a glimpse of the how the compound life is 🙂 Interesting how things are different inside the compound compared to the outer world 🙂
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yes very different, thanks
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I’m not that you got the chance to join this at least this one time Lynn.
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Thanks Irene it was great!
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Ha ha, I would have gone for the shawarmas ! Well, at least they did have some festivities for everyone to enjoy. Looks interesting. Is there any part of that life that you and the kids miss Lynn?
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basically living there is fun in some ways. If you have a supportive man in your life then it is good because as a woman you can’t do much. If you are married to a Saudi it is ok because they have rights! It can be fun. some Westerners love it! they travel to Europe and other middle eastern countries, have little adventures.I think we miss it during holidays and we miss the easy times. Life got so bad that I had to leave there wasn’t a choice so we moved by being forced out which was scary. It is a mixed feeling of being so happy to be away from that daily stress but then new stress here as a single mom of 9! So haha not easy to answer. But yes we do miss it sometimes!
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I fully understand. x
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xoxo
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How fun! It does look Western! I was impressed with the thought that it looks much like a fair/carnival in the Western world.
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yes so true! It does look totally western
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Wow Lynz, what an insight, it really is two different worlds, I don’t know how you coped living this duel life, really bizarre…..I think that I am up to date now…….
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hahaha hi miss lovely Lyndy!
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so nice your kids had things to remember/remind of “home”
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yes it was!
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Oooohhhj how fun 🙂
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🙂
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