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Compound festival

by Lynz Real Cooking on November 23, 2015

 

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.

 

 

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lots of Western food vendors

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Shawarma sandwiches as well

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Crafts, food and games!S5003300

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118 Comments Post a comment
  1. Worlds Biggest Fridge Magnet #

    Incredible.
    Like a world within a wall.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  2. mopana #

    So, it’s nice, entertaining and … a lot of food 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  3. Erika Kind #

    Oh, that at least looks like fun, Lynz!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  4. wheremyfeetare #

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
    • Lynz Real Cooking #

      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!

      Liked by 1 person

      November 23, 2015
      Reply
  5. apuginthekitchen #

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  6. Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser #

    Looks like a fun time!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  7. Frances 🌺 #

    How refreshing for you and your lovely children to enjoy these events! A little home from home for you too ☺️

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  8. thespiritkeepers #

    Wow it would be a world unto itself in Saudi Arabia. Shawarma sandwiches are yummy though.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  9. satabdi #

    Looks great!!! Totally festive…..

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  10. Anna #

    Wow, so interesting to see something like that in the MIddle East!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  11. Kat Myrman #

    I’m sure it was comforting to have a taste and the experiences of home, while at the same time being a bit odd. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
    • Lynz Real Cooking #

      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!

      Liked by 1 person

      November 23, 2015
      Reply
      • Kat Myrman #

        I’m so glad you had opportunities like that while you were there.

        Liked by 1 person

        November 23, 2015
        Reply
        • Lynz Real Cooking #

          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!

          Liked by 1 person

          November 23, 2015
          Reply
  12. JC #

    The Pizza Hut sign looked way out place…

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  13. Kev #

    Looks very entertaining. Interesting about the security.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  14. spearfruit #

    Looks like a fun festival. It seems you have fond memories of this. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  15. Nimmi #

    Wow!! Seems like fun… Hope you enjoyed a lot. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  16. thecontentedcrafter #

    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? 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
    • Lynz Real Cooking #

      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!!

      Liked by 4 people

      November 23, 2015
      Reply
  17. Julie is Hostess At Heart #

    I am sure the children loved going to this festival! What a nice reprieve from everything else you endured.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  18. angncathy #

    Surreal. So surreal. Hugs, Lynn!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  19. cupcakecache #

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  20. Antonia #

    That is so interesting! It is nice that you had reminders of home like this.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  21. milliethom #

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  22. Sadie's Nest #

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  23. Vonita #

    Looks like fun! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  24. AnnaJ #

    Fun in Saudi Arabia sound fun! 😃

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  25. Tasha #

    Bet those were good times! It reminds me of the State Fair!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  26. bisimodupe1975 #

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  27. Marisa's Italian Kitchen #

    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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  28. wwwpalfitness #

    Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.

    Like

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  29. Silver Threading #

    What fun! ❤ 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  30. Sand Salt Moon #

    Now that I am a Pennsylvanian transplanted in Florida, I wonder if I will do the same and seek out Nor’ Easterners? LOL!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  31. Chatter Master #

    You have some wonderful experiences Lynz!!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  32. rangewriter #

    What amazing contrasts!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  33. anotherfoodieblogger #

    It looks like any county fair I’ve ever been too! So glad you at least had that!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  34. cynthiamvoss #

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  35. CHCooks #

    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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  36. IreneDesign2011 #

    I’m not that you got the chance to join this at least this one time Lynn.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 23, 2015
    Reply
  37. lynne hoareau #

    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?

    Liked by 1 person

    November 24, 2015
    Reply
    • Lynz Real Cooking #

      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!

      Liked by 1 person

      November 24, 2015
      Reply
  38. Priceless Joy #

    How fun! It does look Western! I was impressed with the thought that it looks much like a fair/carnival in the Western world.

    Liked by 1 person

    November 24, 2015
    Reply
  39. lindaravello #

    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…….

    Liked by 1 person

    November 24, 2015
    Reply
  40. Spiritdancing #

    so nice your kids had things to remember/remind of “home”

    Liked by 1 person

    November 24, 2015
    Reply
  41. Carisa Adrienne #

    Oooohhhj how fun 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    November 25, 2015
    Reply

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