My niece sent me these pictures from a visit to Riyadh. Things have changed in the past 9 years as you would expect. When we first arrived to Saudi in 1993 there were no fancy malls and not much fast food. By the time we left in 2009, upscale malls with ice skating rinks, amusement parks and designer shops had popped up everywhere! Fast food chains were to be found on most streets and many locals seemed to adopt a new lifestyle.
My niece just informed me that today they opened a cinema in Riyadh which seems really unbelievable!
Love the cupcakes. I remember those cupcake shops from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Lots of walk by traffic and a good customer base for them.
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yes!
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Change!! I remember living in AbuDhabi in ‘91 or ‘92 and how different it is now. Dubai doesn’t even look the same.
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Yes same with Saudi! The changes are crazy!
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Beautiful Pictures ❤️
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Thank you
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Thanks for posting. It’s so nice to see such a different place, somewhere I most likely will never have a chance to go!
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I am glad you enjoyed it! Hope all is well with you xo
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I’m doing well, thanks!
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So glad to hear it xo
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Change is always with us. It is amazing how fast food chains have spread across the world.
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yes amazing
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My plane from Sydney to London refuelled in Dubai in early 1978. We landed in the dark. A modern airport with a massive white airport control tower loomed up out of the desert. There was nothing else around. We had to disembark via steps at the front of the aircraft. Met by some kind of military at the foot (male and female) and escorted into the building where we each got the once-over (gender segregated). The airport was reasonably busy even though it was early hours of the morning. First time I had seen women completely covered. Several other things of interest happened during our two hour layover. I was twenty-two. Left quite an impression. I wouldn’t recognise it today. I guess it’s much the same for Saudi. Even so, the American brands in the photo scenes gave me a surprise!
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Yes it was nothing like that when we got there back in 93! wow that is an interesting story! Thanks for sharing
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Yes I just came back east in Canada to take care of my mother and the changes in 4 years are amazing sadly enough it doesn’t feel like home anymore
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That is sad! Hope all is well
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Yes it is sad but it is reality. My home is out West on an island
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What interesting photos! I can’t even remember not having fast food chain stores all over the place. Seems like They have been here forever! It’s hard to imagine places not having them in 1993.
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Yes! Xxxxx
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xoxoxox
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xoxoxo
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Cities are always changing. Sometimes parts of them become totally unrecognizable. It happens here in NYC too.
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Wow that is interesting!
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Lynn,
You lived in the “good old days” in Saudi, lol.
Maybe people have also changed with the changing situations around them, hopefully for the better.
God bless !
Susie
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yes I hope! thanks Susie
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Lynn, those photos ARE of a thoroughly modern place!
Those baked goods look so delish!!
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yes modern for sure
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A cinema! That does seem remarkable. I guess there’s no stopping progress as the world becomes a smaller place. ❤
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yes so true
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It’s amazing how much has changed there in such a short time … it must feel a bit strange for you. I read about the cinema opening today and never thought it would happen! Great news!
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Yes really interesting changes!
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I read that they’re getting a cinema for the first time in 35 yrs! The new Prince has promise en mon avis. Hopefully women will get the same rights as men soon too!
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Yes sounds so strange to me! I cant imagine it!
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I notice they have a Tim Horton’s fast food place there now. That’s a Canadian company Lynn.
Leslie
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I wondered what that was? Interesting
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Tim Horton used to be a hockey player. After he retired he started up a hamburger joint that eventually became a doughnut and coffee shop. They’re all over Canada and are very popular here.
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wow! That is so cool to know Leslie!
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A little bit of Canadian history, Lynn.
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I love it! Thanks
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🙂
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Yes, I heard that on the news. Both men and women can also view the movie together!
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WOOOW
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Amazing!
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I can imagine the ambivalence these must provoke
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yes
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It appears their mindset is moving forward.
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maybe haha
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Amazing the changes a few years can make! Other than the language, these pics could be from an American mall.
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yes!
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Interesting to see the modernization since you left.
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It really is
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Yes Lynn, a lot is changing here from the past couple of years. Things are happening which seemed quite impossible back then.
Also, women will be allowed to drive from June 2018. There are concerts/musicals on various venues every weekend and so much more entertainment. Women are now allowed inside the football stadium and so many more places!
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Wow it is hard to believe!
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Great pics Lynn, incredible how modern life takes over!
My goodness, change is happening all around us, even as we speak. x
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yes xxx
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