Al Marrat 

This village is found in the Shagraa Region of KSA and is a pre-Islamic era village.  Marrat got its name because it is the first city to appear in Al Washin from the east or because of all the quartz in the area. It is located on the old road to Hijaz(Mecca) and was very important city during the times of the Kindah Kingdom. The famous Arab poet Imru' Al-Qais(A.D. 526-262) was from this area. This is a view of the old village from Qumat Mountain.

Qumat Pond filled with water all year around.

Views of the old mud village.

The famous Al Waleed water well used in early Islam.

Typical old stuff found in the Al Dwaihi Mud Brick Heritage Museum put together by the people of the town from their own pockets.

 Azzam mother enjoying our outing and exclaiming about all the things she saw that she used when she was young growing up in Syria.

An area out side of town filled with fossilized bone and wood, I have a few samples.

We then went to a camp set up for our personal use nearby for coffee, tea and a sampling of local food mostly whole wheat pancakes with savory or sweet mixed together. I found them to be very good and spicy.

Our hosts in National Dress dancing and drumming for us, their were local teachers and doctors.

This stand at each of the 5 camping areas, what is it?

The stand above is where you slaughter your goat or sheep. They are hung their neck cut and the blood drains out, pop him on the BBQ and in a few hours you are ready to eat a tough meal of freshly killed meat. You will see pick-ups on thursdays going out for picnics with carpets, lanterns, coolers and of couse the live meat all stuff in the back. Don't worry women its only for men you can't go anyway.

On our way to the camel festival, the locals love color in their clothing, buildings, homes and food. A nice change from the dirt brown desert color everywhere. This is a gas station, rest stop, mosque and beds for truck drivers to rest, no services for women.

 We had a police escort most of the way and lots of check points. My favorite was at one check point the asked if we were Americans or Germans, the answer was Germans so no checking our paper work. We were lots of Saudis with a few Europeans and me the German-American.

 The big black tents belong to the various royal families and the smaller ones for the other people. The Camel Festival or contest takes place over a month. The camels are judges on beauty and poise with the swimsuits and formal gowns at a later date. They all want world peace Jeeee-Haiddddddd!

 The day we were there they were judging white camels in a herd of 40. They  also judge the black and brown in I think single, herds of 10, 40, and I think 100. I can't remember I'll visit again this year and let you know. The man on the black camel is leading them they must follow him and make 5-6 turns passing the judges.

 The pick up truck has the babies of the mothers that can't behave without them, points are deducted for this. Amazing only female camels are judged. It is a camp of thousands only men and lots of female camels. ????

 A camel must have long legs and perfect hump it tilts neither left or right, forwards or backwards, its lips must be large and pendulous, and the neck long and upright. She must listen to the leader and strut her stuff to the judges.

 These sacks are for the lactating mothers, pasties for a camel.

 We were invited to a camp for lunch by one of the princes there was arabic coffee, ginger tea, rice and meat, sweet pancakes and fruit. Music and dancing lessons for the men was provided. Camels for the children to ride and sweets in the tent for the women.

 Our host Prince ??

 The media center at the festival, princes and the wealthy from the Gulf region all participate in this exciting event every year so it is televised and covered by all the papers.

 There was a falcon competition and also an old car show.

We were going to stop at the shopping area, where one can buy anything and everything for the Arabs favorite pet but we had some very BAD saudi girls along that came just to see boys so we were all punished with no stop. What the girls will do to meet a man. I really recommend you read Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsaea to understand this better.

Cave out side of Riyadh on the Dammam Road just past the industrial area.

 The way down took twice as long as to come up, its all loose rocks and boulders with O'DUrine and O'D BatGuano perfuming our senses.

                                                                                     The pool found at the bottom. The water is usually  much lower and you can go further into the cave. We enjoyed a short skinny-dip in the refreshingly cool clear waters of the cave.

ROSSOPOMODORO

ITALIAN RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA - Tahlia St. Riyadh - KSA

Got to love Gold ovens!

Pizza 101, get all your ingredients imported from Italy. Check I can do that, what are you crazy, impossible. Only the finest flour, salt, tomatoes, olive oil and cheeses prepared by the cheapest of laborers in a very clean setting, ladies no don't take your abaya off. Look behind you men can see in the window. After spinning out the dough with your hands add crush tomatoes, basil, garlic and cheese. Have one our barely payed helpers stick it in the over and wait till it come out bubble and delicious.

My Pizza

A wonder to behold the finished pizza.

Pasta making  some time this month stay tuned for details.

Ok getting act back together and posts all my fun trips around the Kingdom I'm only 11 months behind and 1 new computer so getting everything in my new one should be fun.

Tonight we see a play at the Embassy called: Boeing Boeing done by the Riyadh Community Theater. A hit or miss who can say till tomorrow I'm sure it won't be written up locally something like a play with men and women is way to decadent for Saudi Arabia. I believe we will be seated together men and women and will part take in some refreshing "Tea" mine on the rocks with a twist and hors d'ouerves made from the flesh of pigs. Sound like a good time to night, early the next morning I'm headed to Al Kharj for a short day tour of the city/village.