Over the weekend, my wife and I made the short trip over to the Al-Balad district of Jeddah to do some window shopping, as well as to sightsee.
Al-Balad, the
historic center of Jeddah, is the oldest part of the city. Most historians agree it was founded in the 7th century AD, when it was part of the main Hajj route for pilgrims heading to Mecca. The souq, or open-air marketplace, naturally evolved to serve these pilgrims. To this day, Jeddah remains the main route to Mecca for many pilgrims, whether by air, land, or sea. They don't call Jeddah the "Gateway to Mecca" for no reason...
The historical area of Jeddah is considered one of the most important areas of the city. It is the perfect blend of old and new, where traditional Arabian architecture meets modern urban expansion. It also has some good shopping, as you'll see below.
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| One of the many corridors in this maze of shops. |
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| Stacks of prayer rugs. |
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| So. Many. Purses. Among other things. |
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| Fancy abayas for the ladies. |
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| Another corridor. They come in all shapes and sizes, just like the items for sale. |
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| Beads h'ya! Get your prayer beads! |
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| Ghutras for the men. |
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| If we ever need a suitcase to come back home, I know where I'm going. |
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| These two insisted on a photo. Hopefully I can make them famous. |
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| Prayer time is over. Time for a snack! |
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| This guy is a boss. |
My next post will be on the buildings and architecture of the Al-Balad area. The pictures are really cool (we think). Check back soon for that!