Category: Jeddah

  • Ramadan: Iftar Buffet at Red Sea Grill resto

    Ramadan is almost over and I haven’t invited my staff yet to an Iftar (sunset meal), so yesterday we went to Red Sea Grill (seafood restaurant) at thalia st.

    We came early to find a good place unfortunately all tables are too small for a party of six, anyhow this is the nearest place to our clinic so we decided to stay.

    Taking my camera out..getting ready to take the pictures of the food available on buffet table, took few shots when the supervisor told me, I can’t take anymore, Alright I forgot this is Jeddah! Everyone has camera but you have no freedom to take pictures anytime specially in public.

    Oh well, let’s just review the event:

    Ambience: fair enough, clean but small. the outside decor is refreshing than the inside

    Cost: SR 90 per person

    Food and beverages: All drinks (soda,juice,tea and coffee) included. The foods are alright but it didn’t conform to its name GRILL SEAFOOD. Surprisingly all menu were sautee or fried.

    Salad and sweets : reasonable but not of my standard. I don’t find it satisfying by eyes or my taste.

    Staff: neat and friendly

    My rate?? hmmm not impressed, I don’t like fatty foods, I prefer Grilled (main reason why I came) but I didn’t find any.

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  • Photoblog: Jeddah Fish market

    A friday soaring hot morning in Jeddah Fish Market will surely make your day, fish monger are all smiling and willingly pose with their fish on hand. Some of our kababayan (overseas Filipino workers) also wave their hand and willingly smile. Even the fish (tilapia) jumps with joy, spinning and caught me offhanded ;-).

  • Internations interview, an excerpt

    Photograph by Rel David
    Photograph by Rel David

    Just to share some of the highlights of my interview as an expatriates in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I am not sure when it will come out or will it ever be published! Probably never 🙂

    However, some questions never occur  in my mind, so i decided to share a few, maybe you will also be interested to ask yourself and wonder …why ?

    Tell us about your new life in Saudi Arabia differs from that back home. Did you have trouble getting used to the new circumstances? Did you experience culture shock?

    I was hired 1987, I came alone without my family, It was the most difficult and complicated time of my life, not only culture shock but family shock as well. Being away from my family was an ordeal to take. My husband and my first son came one year after another. I only have two years experienced in my profession and a newly mom as well. Looking back, I am so grateful that i came, this is where I grew up professionally and be successful in my career.

    I thought for a while that wearing black is only for those in mourning, so i refused to wear black “abaya”  i tailored made a blue abaya instead.

    After the Gulf war, rules getting more stricter , expatriates women were asked to cover their hair as well. So, not only I have to wear the black abaya but also wear a black head cover (Tarha). But now a days, a lot of fashionable abaya are  available in the stores, different styles and colours, I would say, I feel safe wearing it in public and enjoy the fashion.

    Every expat knows that expat life comes with some hilarious anecdotes and funny experiences. Care to share one with us?

    Oh well, most unforgettable was always the first..so the first time we met our employers’ wife, She keeps repeating..Hi am Mrs_______ Dr. _____ wife. Shaking her hand as I nod my head repeatedly as a sign of acknowledgement. We did it three times, she probably thought I don’t understand English. 🙂

    I got the lesson, ” nod your head and talk at the same time”,.. gesture with new acquaintance certainly doesn’t work!

    Which three tips would you like to give future expats before they embark on their new life in Saudi Arabia?

    Don’t take a lot of luggage, rather take a lot of sense of humour, trust me, you need it!

    If you signed a two years contract, be ready to save and get out of the Kingdom as fast as you can!

    How would you summarise your expat life in Saudi Arabia in a single, catchy sentence?

    INCREDIBLE 25 years of HARD work and perseverance!

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  • Meeting Gagan – 65 West 55th Street: A novel

    At age 53, I like to read autobiography of famous people who in their search for success has been an inspiration to many including myself. I was not into non-fiction or love story.

    65 West 55th Street by: Gagan Suri
    65 West 55th Street
    by: Gagan Suri

    Until one day, I have a new patient named Gagan Suri, after few sessions of dental treatment, during those times that we were waiting for his x-ray results, he mentioned about a book “65 West 55th Street”in which he himself authored it. I was baffled, an international investment banker have written a book?

    I asked, Whats the story about? banking and finance?

    Oh! a story of two people, an Indian and Pakistani who in spite of their differences managed to be together.

    a LOVE story? (i wonder!)

    He chuckled with his boyish smile, I’ll send you the book, read and let me know what you think of it.

    Is it your story? ( I am now puzzled and interested) His reply was just a smile!

    Friday is my off day at work and every morning, my friends and I used to go walking along the sea side for an hour or two depending on how hot the weather is… but this Friday is different, I am in bed, reading the book and I can’t just put it down. My friends kept calling and I told them: Sorry guys, I am just starting and will not get up until i finish reading. What book is that anyway, that you find it more important than us? my best friend shouted on line. Ok, don’t be grumpy! I’ll pass it on to you when I’m done with it, bye!

    Message from the author:

    “Love goes beyond boundaries. To those who go against convention and dare to love someone of a different religion, culture or country, believe in yourself, and stay firm in your belief. All forces against you will gradually wither away, and what will remain is true love.”

    Indeed! A beautiful and absorbing story of love, faith and belief, simply written with compelling emotions that I found myself in love, laughing and crying , every moment I continued reading each chapter. The spontaneity of the characters, strength and weaknesses were clearly felt and I was moved by their love to each other, with every struggles, family interventions, medical conditions, religion differences, they stood together, using their weaknesses as a strength to move forward.

    Message from me:

    Congratulations Gagan! This book is beyond what “Karan and Zeina” had to endured, thank you for sharing, it is always easy to fall in love but to keep it forever is hard. The journey continues and I do hope love will always prevail.

    Gagan Suri, the author and Me
    Gagan Suri, the author
    and Me

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  • Weekly Photo Challenge:Nostalgic

    Our trip to Madain Saleh , Al Ula mud houses and Petra in Jordan, surely is nostalgic!

    madainsaleh-2a ula6 petra-52A petra-128

    Al khazneh (the Treasury)
    Al khazneh (the Treasury)
    the nabataean theater
    the Nabataean theater

     

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  • Weekly Photo Challenge: Curves

    En route to Taif – a city in the mecca province of Saudi Arabia, at an elevation of 1,879 m (6,165 ft) on the slopes of Sarawat mountain. A family of baboons were at the end of the curves, people enjoyed feeding them as well.

    taif taif5 taif2 taif4 taif1

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  • Weekly Photo Challenge: In the Background

     

    One lazy Friday at Jeddah Corniche, red sea  in the backgroundbackground-3a

    background-2a

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  • My lady Gym Instructor: Mauricia T. Garcia

    Six years in Gold Gym (Jeddah branch) ohhhh don’t get me that look, yes, I haven’t got any muscles yet but at least I maintained my body built, not too fat and not too skinny. I would say, at age 53, I’m still on a medium scale and in excellent health. My usual workout routine was to go to gym three times a week , the place is about 30 minutes car ride from my clinic.reemgym-4a

    When my son went to college, I decided to transferred to another gym (E-spa) five minutes walk from our clinic, so i have the chance to go everyday, and this is where i met Reem ,as everyone fondly called her, my lady fitness instructor. Her real name is : MAURICIA T. GARCIA.46 yrs of age from Alcala, Pangasinan, Philippines.reemgym-3a

    She recently came back from holiday when i did the interview and photo shoots. As anyone (including me, with my two hands up!) an additional fats goes with the holiday 🙂

    Tell us about your life in Saudi Arabia, how it differs back home?

    The first time I came to KSA, I was so surprised about the way of life here until such time that I adjusted myself to it. There’s a communication barrier because of Language differences.

    How did you manage the differences?

    I enrolled in the Islamic center just to learn how to speak, write and read Arabic. And with the help of Dictionary , I slowly learned it and helps me a lot in my work especially in swimming lesson.

    How many years you been working in the gym?

    I started working way back 1996, quite a long years!reemgyma

    Do you think you were fully prepared when you started?

    Though, I have a bachelor degree in Education (BSE) and a certified teacher, nothing really prepares you when you are in a foreign country. My first employer was not really good and it hurt me badly but I took it as a challenge to learn and know them better.

    With your 17 years experience, any advice for the future expats before they embark on their new life in Saudi Arabia?

    First,you need to know the lifestyle, culture and traditions, secondly you should know your rights and privileges as an expat and thirdly, to be ready at all times if ever problems occur. You must have all the important documents and know where and to whom to run in case of emergency.

    How about when in it comes to health fitness? any tips?

    Balance is the key! well-balanced diet and balance exercise is a must. So as not to injure yourself, you should know what exercises your body needs. I gave classes according to what level my students are.reemgym-2a

    Yes ladies! I agree with Reem, I have tried to get rid of the two kilos I gained from holiday to no avail. But let me tell you at age 53, i think I’m pretty much toned and firmed. Thank you for the daily dose of exercise routine she is giving me and diet???? Full diet of course, a lot of vegetables and fruits, no red meat (only on cheat day) and plenty of water.

    So there you go, I am looking forward to video some of our work outs so we can share it to you also.!

    E-spa is located along Thalia Rd. It has Gym, cafeteria,salon,and spa, all in one stop for you beautiful ladies!

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  • How to wear Spring’s colorful trend when you are 50 and beyond?

    I have a conference to attend in less than two weeks…you bet I’m in a shopping mood! But how can I wear all those colorful dresses? Lemon Zest yellow, emerald green, Monaco blue,nectarine orange? Shall I stay with white and black stripes?… What?… no problem? Come on, I am fifty-three years old! 😦

    It seems that fashion industry forgot that there are women beyond fifties who are still working and loving every shopping moment. I have suffered enough to choose my jeans, those dreadful lowest hipsters where I hold my breath so as not to show my bulging tummy 🙂  Oh well, let us be brave ladies!

    My fashion mind says, YES you can! all you have to do is choose the color that will match your skin tone. After all women today are more flexible, more resilient and yes! we will survive the trend. Isn’t it enough to say “no”to every dinner invitation because you wanted to have those jeans? Life is too short to say “no”, enjoy every moment, enjoy every fashion, you will never know what you gonna wear when your six feet below the ground.

    Well, let me show you what color I choose this spring time:

    White trouser looks better, dont you think?
    White trouser looks better, dont you think?

       Tips:      

     1) Choose colors that match your skin tone.

    2) Mix and match, gone are the days when you have the same colors from head to foot.

    3) If you can’t find the right color of dress, accessorize with bright colors.

    4) Conquer your fear of color, be trendy who cares if your fifty and beyond, just add your “POISE”!

    loving the white lace skirt, paired with shades of blue silk top
    loving the white lace skirt, paired with shades of blue silk top

    So ladies, Let’s go…shoppingggg!!!

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  • My food trip with Chef Kevin

    My Kevs with Ashley and Alexis Gabriel
    My Kevs with Ashley and Alexis Gabriel

    Spring break here he comes…my dear chef Kevin. I was excited to see my youngest son, so eager to know what had transpired from his 6 months studies in Culinary Arts Academy of Switzerland. I was looking forward for this moment, to see the changes, physically, mentally and gastronomically speaking.

    I also braced myself by going to the gym everyday and get a balanced diet before this moment comes, because I know very well that our common ground is …FOOD! huh..eating is fun but gaining weight is not 🙂

    So here it is, Enjoy our Food Trip:

    salad preparation
    salad preparation

    First stop: Our Kitchen, though I have 4 burner stove at home, only two are working, with 16 guest on Friday “brunch”, I was thinking he wont make it on time but I was wrong. First ,only one stove works because one of our friend decided to show his expertise in Lebanese cuisine. Chef Kevin was very cool, answering all our questions, teaching us how to cut and do simple plating. At the same time he was also learning how to do lebanese dish “wara en áb”(grape leaves with rice and meat). It was fun working with family friends and most of all-seeing chef kevin doing his thing with gusto, I am relieved that he is happy where he is at this point of his life.

    homemade sauces
    homemade sauces
    chicken/beef risotto
    chicken/beef risotto
    beetroot salad
    beetroot salad
    lamb chop with pasta
    lamb chop with pasta

    We are grateful to our family and friends and of course,to our guest server, Ashley Gabriel. Yes, they did survive all,… kidding aside, it was an enjoyable day!

    homemade vanilla ice cream with kiwi sauce
    homemade vanilla ice cream with kiwi sauce
    kevsshowcase-5a
    Ashley – server of the day

    kevsshowcase-15a kevsshowcase-14

    and this how preparation of Wara enáb looks like:

    kevsshowcase-13a
    improvised cooking…only in Jeddah

    kevsshowcase-19a kevsshowcase-21a kevsshowcase-10a

        Second stop: Being away for six months who would not crave for “Shawerma” ? An arabic sandwich stuffed with chicken or beef mixed with arabic garlic sauce,parsley ,tomato, pickled cucumber and french fries.

    Shawerma
    Shawerma

    Third stop: Business Lunch at Outback steakehouse, situated along thalia road in Teatro Mall. The bread crust is dark chocolate brown in color , hard  but so soft inside was delicious, though Chef Kevin was not amused completely, he went along eating his steak. He commented that the soup is like an instant soup out of maggi bouillon cube.:-)

    refreshing
    refreshing
    Outback steakhouse
    Outback steakhouse

     

    Fourth stop: Raj- Finest Indian Cuisine, located at Thalia road serving indian and continental cuisine. We opted for indian super spicy meal! yummy and chillin hot!

    mix kebab,chicken tandouri, nan and beryani
    mix kebab,chicken tandouri, nan and beryani

    The fifth and last day of eating out, feeling already bloated and can not imagine the hours I will spend in the gym, once this is all over, huh!

    Mayrig resto
    Mayrig resto

    Mayrig, is an armenian restaurant serving armenian and mediterrian cuisine. He asked, Where is Armenia? oh well I really don’t know but according to my research :Armenia is landlocked in the South Caucasus. Located between the Black and Caspian Seas, the country is bordered on the north and east by Georgia and Azerbaijan, and on the south and west by Iran and Turkey.(Wikipedia)

    Armenian Cuisine
    Armenian Cuisine

    Anyhow, the place is along Andalus district, it looks like a private villa restaurant, a refreshing site along the corniche area.I like the Armenian tabouli as cold appetizer.

    Well that’s all folks, till Chef Kevin comes again!

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