2:00 pm. It was scorching hot and we were out sight seeing. Albalad – an old part of Jeddah. My parent used to listen to songs by a group called “albaladi” — malay songs in arabic melody. It was famous at one time. I guess the name refers to this place; it could be as haji in those days would come through this port.
Even today it looked famous and the “scars of yesterday” can be seen all over the place. Old shops still busy with remnants of its heyday. The scenes from old arabic movies suddenly came alive. I didn’t know this place even existed anymore. Wow I just stepped into my very own “universal studios”.
Got myself a pair of made-in-china jogging shoes and we are done. The thing about shopping is that luggage will increase in number and weight; so moving around will be difficult. I hope shopping in Madinah will be kept minimal.
Before we end our Jeddah trip, we must try the food. A stop at one Turkish restaurant put us in an-hour queue. Wow must be the shish kebab or whatever the delicious dish they make here. I hate waiting especially for food so insisted to find another place. A short drive to the corniche area we found another Turkish restaurant and we settled for this one. Dishes are 70-90 riyals per serving; not cheap, but looking at the menu we must try. Well not bad ,overall, I love the sweets the most.
Jeddah was not a forgettable transit port anymore; it has a lot to offer than what you could’ve imagined. I must come back.
