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Last week I put out a call for Guest Posts and of course the awesome Claire Hastings sent me this amazing article about her travel to Riyadh! I am so excited to share it all with you.
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I recently read Hologram for the King (it is also a movie with Tom Hanks) and became very intrigued by Saudi Arabia. I honestly cannot imagine its a place I will visit soon, so I am so excited Claire was willing to share her experience, as an Aussie in Riyadh, with us!
Cultural Insights: Travel to Riyadh
While the doors of Saudi Arabia are open to all Muslims around the globe, as the religious faithful make their pilgrimage to Mecca, the country rarely opens its doors to Western and non-Muslim tourists. Because Saudi Arabia typically only issues visas for those on business trips or with family in the kingdom, I was lucky enough that my husband actually received an invitation from a company he does business with. I always knew very little about the country, but I was drawn to it particularly for its mysteriousness and the conservative reputation, and was eager to see what I would find, and here I am, sharing my amazing and astonishing experience.
Arming ourselves with knowledge
When traveling to a country you know little about, except that it is culturally and religiously far different than yours, you have to soak up as much knowledge beforehand as you possibly can. For instance, I learned that once there, I would not be able to go anywhere public without my husband. You have to know the dos and don’ts as to not offend anyone or even break a law without knowing it. As for my husband, he was free to wear his usual clothes as long as they covered his skin – pants and shirts. For me, it was more complex than that. As our visit coincided with the Holy month of Ramadan, I had to learn what to wear during Ramadan; as I discovered, I was obligated to wear an abaya, along with wide clothes in darker colors that cover me completely, no skin showing, so as to not attract attention. Once you are in the country it is highly advisable that you keep your passport and visa with you at all times, because you never know if there will be a situation in which an official will wish to see a form of identification.
The cultural differences
Even when you do all the research, when you arrive there is when the true extent of the cultural shock happens. Riyadh may be the capital of the Kingdom, but it is also the most conservative city, one deeply rooted in Saudi traditions. Everyone is quite familiar with the free-spirited and welcoming nature of Australians, so for us, it took some time to get used to the fact that everyone keeps to themselves, and you cannot just strike up a conversation and get to know people, as you would in any Australian bar, beach or any other place. We are also used to being able to grab a drink after work, and I have to say, you never know how much you can miss something until it is gone. Alcohol is strictly forbidden in Riyadh, so there is not a drop of alcohol available to you. The same rules apply to visitors as to locals. Another thing I found difficult is not holding my husband’s hand. We are cuddly by nature, and the inability to engage in any type of PDA was quite limiting.
A different perspective
Once I was able to acclimatize to the changes and rules was a time when we began to truly appreciate the beauty of the city. Sure, fasting was difficult in the beginning, but not only did it give us a taste of the culture and religion, but I have to admit, it was a purifying and cleansing experience. Fasting is an opportunity to cleanse the body and soul, practice self-control and once the sun comes down and you break the fast, it gives you a fresh perspective and makes you grateful. It is hard to explain, but the reward you feel once you taste food and water after an entire day of fasting is oddly satisfying. I taught us both a lot about tolerance and acceptance of others and their culture and religion.
The amazing sights
When visiting Riyadh, there are certain sights you definitely do not want to miss. One of them is the National Museum. Aside from the gorgeous architecture, this place offers different sections such as general history, local history and culture and Islamic history. The second place on your list should definitely be Al Rajhi Grand Mosque, followed by King Abdullah Park which is a breathtakingly beautiful place. For fine dining (during Ramadan – Iftar (a meal that comes at sundown, when you are allowed to break the fast), The Globe is a restaurant that is something you must experience at least once in your life. This is Riyadh’s most exclusive fine-dining restaurant, perched atop the Al Faisaliah Tower in a glass orb. The restaurant is a three-story venue serving Arabic dishes and modern European dishes, so there is something for every taste. However, the main reason to visit this restaurant is the ambiance and location as it is seated 240 meters up in the sky, giving guests a spectacular view over the city of Riyadh.
Final impressions
I definitely feel that this journey made us spiritually richer. Once you renounce ‘earthly pleasures’, you are able to reconnect with yourself, as well as with your partner on a whole new emotional level. Fasting was definitely an eye-opening experience, that taught us a lot on moderation, sacrifice and modesty. It may not be the Western way, but this way of living definitely has spiritual perks, and I am glad I got to have a taste of it. It made me more open-minded, tolerant and accepting of people’s differences.
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Please share.
Wow! Love living vicariously through these travel stories! Going to Saudi Arabia is definitely on my bucket list! Thanks!
This is such an interesting read, I’ve grown up in Dubai and my dad has been on many a businesses trip to Saudi, as has my mum but I have never been. I’ve had many friends move their to work in recent years – though they are on the rigs in the desert so it’s a completely different experience. I really want to go, it is a country that is so rich with history and culture, I just wish it was easier to get there…
I will email you, but would love a post on anything Dubai. Its like #1 on my wanderlust list!
Wow, amazing pictures (I’m in love with the light). And Riyadh definitely is on my trafel list too xx
Wow! These are such great and very helpful tips!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
When we were living in Jordan, we nearly went – visas and all sorted, but was cancelled :/ well maybe another time!! – the picture by the ocean is very nice
Wow, this is the first positive review I’ve read of Saudi Arabia as a travel destination for any Westerner. Normally the slant is more to a negative for the cultural differences, so it is nice to hear from someone who embraced it and made it work for them.
Oh interesting, I havent read much on Saudi Arabia, besides Hologram for the King which is a bit wacky.
I agree with Claire about researching many things and yet still have that “cultural shock” moment when you finally land and experience it first hand. Indeed “experience” is the real teacher. Although I’m aware that Saudi is more strict than Abu Dhabi UAE (where I am now), but I totally agree with all her sharings! Respect to their culture will bring us a long way. 🙂
God bless!
JM Kayne | #InMyHeart♥
This is such an interesting article! I’m actually Muslim but I didn’t know non Muslim didn’t have the right to go there unless it’s for business! Thanks for sharing ☺️
i didnt either!
What an amazing and memorable experience you had. Sometimes, you just need to go out of your comfort zone to explore more of ourselves.
I really liked your wonderful photos.
I am saving this post for future, I would love to visit Saudi Arabia one day, I really like the part about differencies 🙂 I knew about the alcohol, but not to be allowed to grab ones hands is strange 🙂
Wow! I have heard a lot about Saudi from many overseas Filipino workers but yours is a different perspective because you’re a tourist. I didn’t know that it’s not easy to get a visa to Saudi if you’re just going there for a tour.
Nice to know about your experience.
It is so important to respect local culture and traditions, even if they appear alien to us or conflict with our personal beliefs and habits. Every experience makes us so much richer!
What an amazing experience! I can’t believe there isn’t an ounce of alcohol there, what a different world. Fascinating to learn about though, really enjoyed your journey!
So interesting! I would love to go and take so many nice pictures like yours! 🙂 🙂
That was a fascinating read! I’ve always wondered what it would be like to visit there! Thanks for sharing!
Claire is so brave. Did she go to Saudi during Ramadan? That must have been an experience.
Saudi has been on my Bucket list for so long, but I can’t figure out how to obtain a visa…
This is a really interesting take on Saudi; I think sometimes immersing oneself in another’s culture would make this a special experience. I live in the UAE and it is much more forward here, but would still love to visit sometime.
If the book, made to intrigued about Saudi, then I should check out the movie atleast, esp being a Tom Hanks fan! Its awesome that your husband got invited to this beautiful country! Cultural difference is indeed stark! Avoiding PDA when you’re naturally cuddly is definitely difficult!
Such a fantastic article about this place. Thanks that this article has reminded us about how we should be aware of the culture and laws, of not only this country but to others as well.
I honestly wouldn’t place Riyadh on my travel list, but now I will give it a second thought. I like your sincere feedback on the cultural differences, really insightful!
There is so much of adjustment to be done for the women. It makes me feel thankful for my own country and culture where I don’t really have to think so much. I like the way you have added the positivity to the whole situation. Keep that one up…
I will never travel to this country for all these very reasons. So many rules and regulations take away all the fun. I even had got offers from a few companies when I was job hunting but decided not to go there as this place can mentally kill someone like me who prefers traveling solo and then making new friends once I am at the destination. I have heard the plights of my friends who live there. If anyone wants to experience the beauty of Muslim culture there are many other Arab countries that are way more open.
thats a good point!
Thanks for taking me along your spiritual journey, it was a interesting read!
What a great insights! Living in a Riyadh as a non-Muslim and different nationality citizen is an experience in itself! Though the Arab countries never fascinate me to visit there!