oneday

First of all, I have to tell you about the prayers. As you know, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one most pious Islamic country. They pray toward Makka 5 times a day. Those are done at the day break, noon, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at the sun set, and after sun set. However, it is changeable depending on the Islamic calender. Especially, Saudi Arabia, all the shops, restaurant, official are closed during the prayer time. We have to wait inside the supermarket, or outside the shops. The lights are turned off, the clerks go to pray. There are special prayer hall in the big shops or nearest Mosk. Sometimes, I see that the Muslim people are praying on the carpet at the corridor in the shops. Of cause men and women are playing separately. This scene is quite solemn.

I remember my first step in Saudi Arabia. When I arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, it was prayer time. Azane was sounding all over the hall. I was really embarrassed. It was nice sound but, made me wake up early morning. At the begining of my stay in Saudi Arabia, I woke up the same time of first Azane. There are a lot of Mosks and speakers in the city. People are able to walk to the nearest Mosk.

Most public facilities, many of shops, are opened only morning to noon, and evening. Many of Citizens take a nap after lunch. To my surprise, they sleep anywhere. For example, at the corridor, under the tree, outside passage. After taking a nap, they clean their hands and legs with water in the bathroom. After finishing prayers, they begin to work. On Friday and after Ramadan which is fasting month, offices are closed. And the shops only open in the evening. I am now used to the prayer time, but at the begining of my stay in Saudi Arabia, going shopping was a problem.

However, I see many workers who come from other countries. They come from Pakistan, Philippines, Africa, and so on. The 70% of population is like this workers. Many of them come without their families, and they send a salary to them. It because of confusion of politics, long domestic war, and so on. I was shocked by this situation. Because I believe that is natural life to live together with families.

If you would like to see native Saudi people, it is better to go to shops or restaurant after the final pray time. Perhaps they are wearing '' Tobu '' and ''Abaya''. '' Tobu '' is special costume for the Saudi men, white and long cloth. In my opinion, many Saudi people prefer shopping .Actually, there are many treasures from all over the world.

Traditionally, the merchant of Saudi is good at trading. In this country, the price card is nonsense. The price is changeable even hospital fee. It is only important to negotiate very well. It is like a serious match. There are social atmosphere, and also it is done by men basically. It is so different from Japanese way of shopping and Saudi Arabia's way. We Japanese customers don't have to talk with clerks at all! And, I should tell you that all clerks are men even underwear shops for women!!

	This is one of statues in the city. There are many interesting statues.
This is a mosk they pray.
	This is an old house in old Jeddah. The window is special. People inside can look out but people outside can not look in.