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A golden moment with some Saudi women

19 December 2023 6:11 am

With Saudi women

Chris and me with new friends in the supermarket

Chris and I had a wonderful encounter with five local women in a supermarket in Hafar Al-Batin in northeastern Saudi Arabia. 

It started with my quest for a bag of boiled lollies, preferably mint-flavoured. They’re a treat on the bus, great for a dry throat and a good thing to share. But everything in the supermarket seemed to be chewy and toffee-like or chocolate. 

So I used my out-of-date Arabic to ask the woman at the nut counter for some help. It all unfolded from there. Eventually, she called in fellow saleswomen to help in the search. 

They were convinced I needed a sugar-free-for-diabetics version, but I kept saying sugar was okay. 

My rusty Arabic got a good work and so did their English. We shared laughs, photos and conversations. 

Chris said the one thing she didn’t like about them being covered was that she couldn’t see their beautiful faces. So one of them shared a Snapchat pic of herself with long blonde hair and a pink gown. Wow, what a knockout!

As for the lollies, there weren’t any to be found. Who cares. What a memorable experience.

With Saudi women

Six of us couldn’t find boiled lollies. Photo by Chris

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Posted by leggypeggy

Categories: Food and drink, Middle East, Saudi Arabia

Tags: , , , ,

36 Responses to “A golden moment with some Saudi women”

  1. As mentioned earlier, you continue to encounter good people. We both feel they are everywhere, but your encounters tell me something is good about you too.

    Liked by 2 people

    By ralietravels on 19 December 2023 at 6:15 am

    1. Aw, thanks. I think a smile goes a long way.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 6:28 am

  2. Thanks for sharing this idea Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    By 100 Country Trek on 19 December 2023 at 6:16 am

    1. You are most welcome.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 6:28 am

  3. The best part of travel!

    Liked by 1 person

    By guilianihome on 19 December 2023 at 6:56 am

    1. It sure is.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 2:04 pm

  4. I remember how friendly the Saudi people are, and the women particularly are so gregarious. I had the opportunity to join a women’s evening while in Riyadh and was amazed at how dressed up everyone was – gowns, full makeup and lots of jewellery. There were lots of questions for me, especially about fashion. It was a different evening in the best way.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Lynette d'Arty-Cross on 19 December 2023 at 7:56 am

    1. What a fabulous experience for you. I have another couple of weeks here. Maybe it will happen for me too.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 1:54 pm

  5. To touch a sensitive point – do the ladies seem to mind your loose hair and ‘Western’ dress? Absolutely gorgeous photo !!!

    Liked by 1 person

    By Eha on 19 December 2023 at 8:54 am

    1. I have been totally accepted the way I am. That said, sleeves should go to the mid-forearm and trousers to the mid-calf. I wear a head scarf to go into a mosque.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 1:57 pm

  6. Whatever those covered women lost in aesthetics,
    They certainly have saved on the cost of cosmetics!
    😀

    Liked by 1 person

    By mistermuse on 19 December 2023 at 9:52 am

    1. I think they wear more make-up than I do! We just can’t see it.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 1:58 pm

  7. Lucky you. What a wonderful and unforgettable experience. It’s these magical moments that make travelling to other countries such a rewarding experience.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Vicki on 19 December 2023 at 10:50 am

    1. It was truly wonderful. I still need boiled lollies, so maybe it can happen again.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 2:00 pm

  8. I LOVED this serendipitous encounter. Meeting up with people when you travel is truly wonderful. It allows you to connect with locals and experience the destination in a more authentic way. Thank you for the most excellent photo – iconic.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Rebecca Budd on 19 December 2023 at 11:01 am

    1. Thanks. I feel so blessed to have had this experience.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 2:01 pm

  9. This brings me so much joy! It’s the best thing about travel- the unexpected encounters! So nice to see your beaming smile too Peggy!

    Liked by 1 person

    By Anna on 19 December 2023 at 11:03 am

    1. Thanks. It was one of those stand-out moments in a journey.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 2:01 pm

  10. Great Stuff. I must admit I didn’t meet any women in Pakistan in 1995. However, Denise — who was declared an honorary man for the trip and whose behaviour was the determinant of whether we were respectable or not! Denise had a marvellous experience in the Swat Valley. We were staying in a sort of hostel or private home. The man recovering from typhoid and I were kept well away from the women. However, Denise after a couple of days — and deemed respectable — was invited into the inner sanctum, where once the husband had left, the women played with make-up, dressing up and trying to help poor Denise who was childless not to lose her husband (me). She said she had a fantastic couple of hours.
    Tony
    https://www.breadtagsagas.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    By tony on 19 December 2023 at 2:50 pm

    1. Thanks for sharing that story, Tony. I can imagine Denise’s day. Truly memorable.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 19 December 2023 at 4:49 pm

  11. An enjoyable photograph

    Liked by 1 person

    By derrickjknight on 19 December 2023 at 7:19 pm

    1. Just looking at it makes me smile.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 20 December 2023 at 5:44 am

  12. Everyone looks so happy. Good to read something positive about Saudi Arabian society.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    By beetleypete on 19 December 2023 at 10:11 pm

    1. We’ve been impressed by how friendly everyone is.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 20 December 2023 at 5:44 am

  13. I really liked the sense of fun, Peggy. It’s a good reminder of the humor that exists in all cultures, even when it’s hidden. Great photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Curt Mekemson on 20 December 2023 at 2:30 am

    1. I hope my next search for boiled lollies is as enjoyable.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 20 December 2023 at 5:46 am

      1. I have to confess, Peggy, I had to look up what boiled lollies are. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        By Curt Mekemson on 22 December 2023 at 1:50 am

  14. LeggyPeggy,
    Great photos of your encounter with some very nice women. To bad they were all covered up and you could not see their smiling faces… and might be wearing fashionable clothing. Was there not a story when you were in Taiwan and about lollypops of some kind… Once again, it is so nice to meet friendly people!
    Sy S.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Sy S on 22 December 2023 at 11:08 am

    1. Every now and then we see women fully covered (its called a niqab) but the lower half is floating open and they are wearing jeans or a dress or even a track suit. The shops sell evening gowns.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 22 December 2023 at 3:06 pm

  15. I used to often be on the hunt for humbugs for mum! Even in Canberra they can be hard to find when you really want them!

    Enjoying your travel stories, Peg!

    Liked by 1 person

    By Dewi on 23 December 2023 at 6:12 am

    1. Thanks Dewi. The boiled lolly hunt continues without success.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 23 December 2023 at 6:27 am

  16. I love these interactions with local people, and they probably loved it just as much as you! Maggie

    Liked by 1 person

    By Monkey's Tale on 24 December 2023 at 3:58 am

    1. Yes indeed. It was special for all of us. We’ve had so many wonderful interactions with local people on this trip.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 24 December 2023 at 4:08 am

  17. I notice you are all united by your love of sensible footwear!

    Liked by 2 people

    By Emma Cownie on 24 December 2023 at 7:12 pm

    1. I’m so glad you noticed. I’ve seen very few pairs of high heels on these travels.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 25 December 2023 at 6:09 am

    2. ha ha a perfect observation Emma.

      Liked by 2 people

      By MichaelStephenWills on 16 February 2024 at 12:18 am

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