Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
March 3, 2008
Jeddah (also spelled Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda; Arabic: ‫ﺟﺪّﺓ‬‎ Ǧiddah) is a Saudi Arabian city located on
the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest
city in Makkah Province, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. It is considered the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia and one of the wealthiest city in the
Middle East. Jeddah is the principal gateway to Mecca, Islam's holiest city, which able-bodied Muslims are required to visit at least once in a lifetime.
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i·tin·er·ar·y n. a detailed plan for a journey
Sunday, March 2nd
8:35PM-10:15PM MH & RM fly from Riyadh to Jeddah (Saudi Arabian 1069 - Terminal 3) Notes: Farhan to accompany
Monday, March 3rd
MH & RM shoot Jeddah Notes: Farhan to accompany
Tuesday, March 4th
1:35AM-5:35AM Ryan flies from Jeddah to London (BMI 778 - Terminal N)
2:35AM-3:50AM Mark flies from Jeddah to Cairo (Egypt Air 664 - Terminal N)
10:15AM-1PM Ryan flies London to Chicago (American 87 - Terminal 3)
dem·o·graph·ics n. the characteristics of human populations and population segments
Geographic Coordinates: 21º 30’N, 39º 10’E
Area: 560 km2 and its Red Sea paved coastline stretches 80 km from north to south.
Population: City: 3,400,000 Metro: 4,500,000
Religion: Islam. The vast majority of Jeddans are Sunni Muslims, with a minority of Asian and Westerner Christians. The city
has over 1300 Mosques, and has no Churches or synagogues.
Government: Monarchy
Government Head: King Abdullah
Time Zone: UTC/GMT + 3
com·mu·ni·ca·tions n. means of communicating, especially a system for sending and receiving messages; the technology
employed in transmitting messages
Language Arabic is the main language throughout the country. English is the second language and can be found on street signs
and advertisements.
Country dialing code: 966
City Dialing Code: 2
English-language newspapers and magazines Arab News and Saudi Gazette are the two local English language newspapers.
Foreign newspapers are available several days after they have been published and are subject to heavy censoring.
cur·ren·cy n. money in any form when in actual use as a medium of exchange
Saudi Arabian currency is called the Riyal, which is divided into 100 halalas. Notes are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, or 500. There is a coin
system that is seldom used. Banking hours are generally Saturday to Wednesday from 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm. All major
credit cards are accepted at shops, hotels and restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Travelers checks are also accepted and ATMs are
widely available. Head for the row of moneychangers on Al-Quabel St. in Al-Balad, which offer good rates and don’t charge
commission. Hours: 9:30AM-1:30PM and 4:30PM-10PM.
1 USD = 3.7498 SAR
e·mer·gen·cy n. a serious situation or occurrence that happens unexpectedly
Fire: 998
Ambulance: 997
Police: 999
Road Accident: 993
Dr. Sulayman Fakeeh Hospital Falasteen Street Tel: +966 2 665 5000 or +966 2 660 3000
The U.S. Embassy
U.S. citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Embassy in Riyadh at +966 1 488 3800 or the Consulate in Jeddah at +966 2 667 0080. http://jeddah.usconsulate.gov/
e·lec·tric·i·ty n. electric current used or regarded as a source of power
Electricity is 110V. 50Hz though you can find 220v.
weath·er n. the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place, with respect to variables such as temperature, moisture,
wind velocity, and barometric pressure
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Unlike other Saudi Arabian cities, Jeddah retains its warm temperature in winter, which can range from +15 °C (59 °F) at midnight to +25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon. Summer temperatures are considered very hot and break the +40 °C (104 °F) mark in
the afternoon dropping to +30 °C (86 °F) in the evening.
Average March temp:
High 84ºF; Low 66ºF
March 2nd, Sunrise: 6:43AM Sunset: 6:28PM
March 3rd, Sunrise: 6:42AM Sunset: 6:28PM
March 4th, Sunrise: 6:41AM Sunset: 6:29PM
trans·por·ta·tion n. a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods
Jeddah does not currently have any form of public train system. SAPTCO is the government owned Saudia Arabian Public
Transport Company. It is has the largest bus network inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The bus conditions are satisfactory.
Taxis are the easiest way to get around the city. Look out for the white cars outside your hotel. Yellow taxis are predominantly
used by locals. Although they are cheap, they are not recommended for visitors. Try to carry small denominations of currency as
drivers rarely have change.
International Airport Jeddah is served by King Abdulaziz International Airport which
is one of the world's busiest airports. The airport has four passenger terminals. One is the
Hajj Terminal, a special outdoor terminal covered by very huge tents, which was constructed to handle the more than 2 million pilgrims who pass through the airport during the
Hajj season. The Southern Terminal is used for Saudi Airlines flights with the Northern
Terminal for foreign and other national airlines. The Royal Terminal is a special terminal for
VIPs, foreign Kings and Presidents, and even the Saudi Royal Family. Jeddah International
Airport is 35 km from the city. No bus transportation.
tip·ping v. giving a small sum of money to someone for performing a service; a gratuity
Optional where service charges are included in the bill, at other places, 5 % to 10%.
dress code n. a set of rules specifying the correct manner of dress while on the premises of the institution (or specifying
what manner of dress is prohibited)
The religion and customs of Saudi Arabia dictate conservative dress for both men and
women. Foreigners are given some leeway in the matter of dress, but they are expected to
follow local customs, particularly in public places. As a general rule, foreign men should
wear long trousers and shirts that cover the upper torso. Foreign women should wear loose
fitting skirts with hemlines well below the knee. Sleeves should be at least elbow length and
the neckline modest. The best fashion guideline is "conceal rather than reveal". Teenagers
are also required to dress modestly in public places. Jeans should not be tight fitting and
low necks and tank tops are not recommended. Shorts and bathing suits should not be worn
in public. Non-Muslim women living in Saudi Arabia often wear the abayah (long, traditionally black, overgarment which covers the whole body) as a sign of respect for local
customs. Although Saudi Arabia requires women to cover in public, the niqab, a face veil
covering all but the eyes. is optional. Covering is enforced by the religious police, the mutaween (also known as the mutawa).
ban v. to prohibit, forbid, or bar
The Mutaween in Saudi Arabia are tasked with enforcing Sharia as defined by the government, specifically by the Committee for
the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV). The Mutaween of the CPVPV is comprised of more than 3,500
officers in addition to thousands of volunteers...often accompanied by a police escort. They have the power to arrest unrelated
males and females caught socializing, any one engaged in homosexual behavior or prostitution; to enforce
Islamic dress-codes, and store closures during the prayer time. They enforce Muslim dietary laws, prohibiting
the consumption or sale of alcoholic beverages and pork, and seize banned consumer products and media
regarded as un-Islamic (such as CDs/DVDs of various Western musical groups, television shows and film).
Additionally, they actively prevent the practice or proselytizing of other religions within Saudi Arabia, where
such a thing is banned.
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business et·i·quette n. the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other
It is usual not to shake women's hands, or show affection in public. The managing directors of most Saudi companies tend to
speak English and are conversant with modern business practice. But many Saudi traditions persist. Hospitality is a major part of
the Saudi way of life, and one can expect to be invited to dinners and banquets, and on occasion into Saudi homes. Prayer times
are published in the papers. One should expect to wait while a contact is praying and a contact will ask to be excused at these
times to allow them to pray. During Ramadan, visitors are expected not to eat or drink in public during the day as Muslims will
be fasting. Normal business hours tend to change radically as Muslims eat between sundown and sun-up the next day. The Muslim religious holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. During Hajj –
when pilgrims visit Mecca – all government establishments and some businesses will be closed for five to 10 days.
Business Hours The working week is Saturday to Wednesday, although some offices and businesses also operate on Thursday
morning.
Government Offices: 7:30AM - 2:30PM
Banks: 8AM - noon and 5PM – 8PM
Private Businesses: 8AM - noon and 3PM – 6PM
All businesses close for the five prayers during the day.
dance n. a successive group of rhythmical steps or bodily motions, or both, usually executed
to music
One of Saudi Arabia's most compelling folk rituals is the Al Ardha, the country's national dance.
This sword dance is based on ancient Bedouin traditions: drummers beat out a rhythm and a poet
chants verses while sword-carrying men dance shoulder to shoulder. Al-sihba folk music, from
the Hijaz, has its origins in al-Andalus. In Mecca, Medina and Jeddah, dance and song incorporate the sound of the mizmar, an oboe-like woodwind instrument. The drum is also an important
instrument according to traditional and tribal customs.
The Corniche
The Corniche is one of the city's main attractions. This specially designed waterfront provides recreational facilities with superb
views and is home to the city's luxurious beachside hotels and thousands of restaurants.
ap·pre·ci·ate v. to recognize the quality, significance, or magnitude of; to admire greatly; value
Open-air art During the oil boom in the late 1970s and '80s, there was a focused civic effort at
bringing art to Jeddah's public areas. As a result, Jeddah contains an unusually large number of
modern open air sculptures and works of art, typically situated in roundabouts, which makes it
to this day the largest open-air art gallery in the world. Sculptures include works by a variety of
artists, ranging from the obscure to famous such as Jean/Hans Arp, César Baldaccini, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Joan Miró and Victor Vasarely and often depict elements of traditional Saudi culture - coffee pots, incense burners, palm trees, etc. The fact that Islamic tradition prohibits the depiction of living creatures, notably the human form, has made for some very creative modern art. These
include a mounted defunct propeller plane, a giant geometry set, a giant bicycle, and a huge
block of marble with several cars protruding out of it.
King Fahd Fountain is a major landmark built in the 1980s and listed by the Guinness World
Records organization as the highest in the world where the water jet can reach 1,024 ft and can
be seen from very far distances. The fountain was donated to the City of Jeddah by the late King
Fahd bin Abdul Aziz which is where the name is derived.
con·sume v. to take in as food; eat or drink up
Jeddah residents are a mix of several different ethnicities and nationalities. This mixture of
races has made a major impact on Jeddah's traditional cuisine. Like other Saudi cities, The Nejdi
Kabsa (dishes mainly made from a mixture of spices, basmati rice, meat and vegetables) is the most traditional lunch for Jeddan
people. The Yemeni Mandi (a popular way of preparing meat utilizing ancient techniques of cooking--meat is barbecued in a deep
hole in the ground that is covered while it cooks) is also popular as a lunch meal. Grilled meat has a good market in Jeddah such
as Shawarma, Kofta and Kebab. American food is also popular in the city. McDonald's, Burger King, Domino's Pizza and KFC
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among others are widely distributed in Jeddah. Chinese and Eastern food are also popular. Some travelers believe that the city’s
best restaurants are found within luxury hotels because the standard of food will be high and the service will be more efficient.
Al Yildizlar Regarded as the best Lebanese food in town, the restaurant has an unrivaled selection of 25 mezze starters, often an
entire meal themselves. These are handy for vegetarians who would otherwise face a selection of fish, barbecued lamb (shish
kebab) and chicken (shish tawok). The atmosphere is loud and convivial for both lunch and dinner. Andalous Road, near the Corniche. Tel: +966 2 653 1150
Byblos A great restaurant for a traditional Saudi meal of ruz bukhari (lamb or chicken with carrot-flavored rice) or kapsa (a traditional rice dish with lamb or chicken). Entrees range between $10-20. Corniche and Al Andalus roads. Tel: +966 2 669 7655
Stears is Brazilian in concept, adopting the Churrascari method of skewering meat, then grilling it; ready to be sliced off in front
of the customer. For a set price, customers are brought specially made bread, vegetable soup, spicy onion rings and a choice of 10
different kinds of meat, including gazelle, ostrich and baby camel. Some 300 plants cascade among the restaurant’s waterfalls and
tree trunks and the restaurant has a glass front that overlooks the Corniche, giving it some of the best views of the King Abdul
Aziz Fountain. The restaurant attracts an eclectic mix of customers and is a particularly popular lunch venue for foreign businessmen (as lunch is guaranteed to be served within 45 minutes). In the evening there is a mixt of Saudis, foreign visitors and
expatriates. Inter-Continental Hotel, Corniche Road. Tel: +966 2 661 1800
im·bibe v. to drink. to absorb or take in as if by drinking
Almost every form of public entertainment is banned in Saudi Arabia including the cinema and the theatre. Despite the alcohol
ban, in Jeddah, alcohol remains hidden; found primarily in private residence compounds, private hotel parties, and some of the
private beach resorts in Obhour. Since alcohol is banned, hotel bars can be more accurately described as lounges.
Sunset Lounge at the Westin Jeddah (North Corniche) is scenic, with two waterfront terraces.
La Terrasse at the Inter-Continental plays soft music and serves fresh fruit juice. Corniche Road. Tel: +966 2 661 1800
caf·fein·ate v. the act of adding caffeine
Green Island Cafe Great place for a drink at sunset or a morning coffee and cake. The outdoor tables have great sea views and it
is open to men and women. Hours: Sat-Thurs 8AM-2AM, Friday 1PM-2AM North Corniche. Tel: +966 2 694 0999
Tea Garden at the Inter-Continental serves tea, coffee and snacks. Corniche Road. Tel: +966 2 661 1800
Al Balad (The Old City)
AL-Balad is the historical area of Jeddah, the second largest city of Saudi Arabia. Balad can literally be translated as "The
Town”. Balad traces its history 2,500 years back as a fishing village when the Quda'a fishermen tribe settled there. Little did they
know that they had established the cornerstone for one of the most thriving and cosmopolitan neighborhoods of the Arab world.
ap·pre·ci·ate v. to recognize the quality, significance, or magnitude of; to admire greatly; value
In this modern city, one can still find beautiful examples of old, Saudi, Red Sea architecture, where buildings are made of red
coral. Next to skyscrapers stand three six-story buildings with 19th-century doorways carved from
Indian Teak.
Naseef House (Al-Alawi Street) was home to a famous clan of merchants, and until the 1920's had
the only tree in Jeddah. The tree can still be found to the left of the front door. Gabil St.
The Municipality Museum is opposite the National Commercial Bank headquarters in the old city.
It is the only remaining building of several which comprised the British Legation in Jeddah during
World War I. Located in a 200-year-old restored traditional house built from Red Sea coral, the museum has interesting photos of the development of Jeddah, along with rooms done up in traditional
style. The museum is open in the mornings from Saturday to Thursday; admission is free but a permit from the Jeddah Municipality is required. Once the permit has been granted, it is still necessary
to make an appointment with the curator of the museum. Downtown Jeddah Tel: +966 2 669 5556 or
+966 2 660 7671
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en·light·en v. to give spiritual or intellectual insight to
Saudi Arabian culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam. Islam's
two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, are located in the country. Five times
every day, Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets of mosques
which are scattered around the country. The weekend begins on Thursday
due to Friday being the holiest day for Muslims. All Muslim countries have
a Thursday-Friday or Friday-Saturday weekend. The public practice of any
religion other than Islam, including Christianity and Judaism, the presence
of churches, and possession of non-Islamic religious materials is not allowed except in Aramco compounds in which many expatriates attend
church services.
The Al-Shafee Mosque (Shaykh Lane and Souk Al-Alawi) is in the AL-Mazloum area near the center of Al-Barad and is the
oldest mosque in the city. Its minaret was said to have been built in the seventh Hijri century 13th century A.D. Unique in its style
of architecture, it is square in figure with open courtyard, to provide natural ventilation and lighting.
The mosque of Osman Bin Affan at AL-Mazlum area was known as the Abnos Mosque as it contained two poles of ebony
wood. Its big minaret was built in the ninth and tenth Hijri centuries, the fifteenth century A.D. shop·ping v. examining and buying merchandise
Though it may not occur to one as quickly as Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, Balad can be a shopper's paradise. Balad has a plethora of upscale shopping centers with high-end fashion from Milan and Paris, along with the traditional street vendors and open
air Souks (Eastern Markets). Many Saudi companies are headquartered here; the most famous of which is the National Commercial Bank. The award winning structural design is the widely regarded as the first Arab Skyscraper and features Gordon Bunshaft
at his best.
Tahlia Street is an important fashion and shopping street in the mid-town of Jeddah. It contains many upscale department shops,
and boutiques, such as Prada, Gucci, and Giorgio Armani. As the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Tahlia Street is believed to be the
heart of Jeddah and Saudi Arabia's wealthiest district. It is also considered as one of the biggest modern shopping districts in the
Middle East.
All the best souks are centrally located – the gold souk, the Alawi Souk (electronics,
toiletries, carpets and cloth) and the Bab Makkah Souk (spices and silks). Also the
Mahmal Centre (camel souk) which is actually ultra-modern and includes well known
brands. Good buys include gold and silver (both sold by weight) Bedouin jewelry, pearls,
carpets and rugs from all over Asia, antiques, Arabic coffee pots, personalized perfumes,
camel stools, ceremonial daggers and wall hangings.
In the Medina Road area, the International Market has several good shops including
electrical goods.
Heraa Mall is one of the biggest malls in Jeddah. It was the first shopping mall ever built in Jeddah, hosting over 240 international and local retailers. Sarawat Supermarket is located here. Heraa Street Tel: +966 2 654 1654
Fish Market The colorful and frenetic fish market west of Al-Kournaish Rd. is not to be missed. There are at least 50
fish from the Red Sea on display. The daily auction is from 5AM-9AM. Note that photography is not permitted.
con·sume v. to take in as food; eat or drink up
Al Baik Al Baik is the most popular regional fast-food chain. Established in Cairo in 2001, Al Baik has twenty-four branches in
Jeddah, along with five in Mecca, one in Medina and one in Yanbu. The menu consists mainly of broasted chicken and shrimp,
with sides of French fries, cole slaw and rice. It is, perhaps, a favorite of locals due to cheap menu prices. You can expect long
lines outside after evening prayers, waiting for the doors to open. Open 11AM-Midnight. Many Locations.
Al Bassateen Restaurant The most popular brunch in Jeddah is at the Marriott’s Al Bassateen Restaurant, which often spills out
of the restaurant on to the Mezzanine floor, overlooking the waterfalls of the lobby. It opens at 10AM, and by midday two cooking stations outside the restaurant are turning out five different kinds of fish – stir-fried, grilled or deep fried – prime rib, roast
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turkey, and 13 other hot dishes. Jeddah Marriott Hotel on Palestine Road, opposite the Middle East Shopping Centre. Tel: +966 2
671 4000
im·bibe v. to drink. to absorb or take in as if by drinking
Javalounge At midnight, mixed-sex groupings (otherwise known as men and women) gather here,
on the corner of Palestine and Al Andalus roads, to share mint tea and grape hubbly-bubblies—as
the expats call water pipes. Tel: +966 5 959 9940.
caf·fein·ate v. the act of adding caffeine
Asia Internet Cafe Jeddah has numerous Internet cafes, but they are open only to men. Hours: SatThurs 7:30AM-Midnight, Friday 10AM-Noon and 1:30PM-Midnight. King Abdul Aziz St. Tel:
+966 2 668 9834
trans·la·tion n. the act or process of translating, especially from one language into another
Good Morning
Reply
Good afternoon/evening Reply Hello Hello (Peace upon you)
Reply Welcome(also said in departing)
Good-bye (with peace) Yes
No Al right (okay) Please Thank you You’re welcome Do you speak English Pharmacy Market Mosque
Police Station Post Office Shop Airplane Bread Coffee Car Hot Cold Departure Time Driver 7
Sa-bah al-khair
Sa-bah al-nur
Mas-sa Al-khair
Mas-sa Al-nur
Mar- ha-ba
As-sa-lam a-lay-kum
Wa a-lay-kum as-sa-lam
Ah-lan
Ma sa-la-m
Na’am/ai-wa
La
Qwai-yis
Mini fad-lak
Shu-kran
Af-wan
Tatakallum Ingleezi?
Sayee-da-lia
Souq
Mas-jiid
Ma-ha-ta al Shur-ta
Al Ba-reed
Doo-kan/ma-hal
Tie-ya-ra
Khoo-boos Qah-wa Sai-ya-ra
Sukhon / Haar
Ba-rid
Waqt As sa-far
Saw-wak