Guide for Riyadh
 

Hello world,

Should I start with Hhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllpppppppppppp p or what. Guys and Gals who live in Riyadh.... seriously... please let me know how can one seriously spend some quality time in this place. Meet with people, hopefully drinks and music... please someone who can guide me..

Cheers

Karl

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

hi, riyadh is a beautiful place,don't understand why people talk negativley about riyadh.

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

Dude, I don't deny this place is heaven for quite a lot of people... but all I am saying is... there has to be some place for chaps like us to enjoy ourselves.. especially when you don't even have someone at your wavelength to chat with.

Karl

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

With a nickname like 'Punanilover' I'm not sure Riyadh is going to be for you. But I suggest you take up running...

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

was thinking the same!

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

What IS a "punanilover"???
Googled it....never mind.......:rofl:

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

Guys and Gals Common on... Its just a nick name.....which I have picked up long time ago...Running is what I am already doing.... any other suggestions from anyone.

Cheers

Karl

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

Hashes, desert trips, compound parties and embassy bashes are the main sources of entertainment as far as I can tell. Not that I'd know anything about any of them :)

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

Im my opinion - better social life in KSA than had in UAE...just need to know the right people/places to go...

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

Hey Danajj,

Then I should say that I need to hook up with you to look at KSA as per your view point. Should be back in town next week and hope to meet up and see what I am missing.

Cheers

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

Save your money and go on nice holidays ....

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

Have you been on the hash? The friday one is a good way to meet people (particularly nurses)! The US embassy has parties evey few weeks and anyone (more or less) can buy tickets as long as you know they're on sale - they are sold at the shop in the embassy. There are also lots of 'cultural' events (generally music ones) at other embassies.:)

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

hey Alfi,

Thanks dude for the info... finally someone who could give me some logical info. Well I think I am gonna try that this time and lets see how that goes.

Cheers Mate

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

What is the Hash? Also, can anyone attend the embassy parties? My fiance is american but I am Saudi, would I be able to attend with him? And do you need your passport to attend? or will other identification work..US drivers license?

I just moved back from the US temporarily and he is coming to visit me here in Saudi Arabia for the first time. I haven't been back here in a long time and we are both nervous about where we can spend time together without worrying about religous police :-/

We'd like to go out to restuarants...are some less 'risky' (for lack of a better word) than others?

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

As a Saudi you will find many westerners will be wary of inviting you anywhere that may involve booze/dancing/usual stuff - simply because they feel you will grass them all up to the muttawa if someone annoys you. Harsh but true [and for good reason].

Embassy parties etc are different as they can do what the hell they like.

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

I'm as freaked out of muttawa as the next person, probable more so since I don't have the protection of being a westerner. I'm honestly just looking for some suggestions on where I can spend time with my fiance while he's here. Like I said, he's american and this is his first visit and I REALLY do not want it to end up with an exchange with muttawa!! But I don't want to hole up in the house either..I'd like to show him around...go out. I've been gone for 5 years...so I really don't know where is 'safe' to go anymore. Suggestions..input..would be great.

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

eeemmm good question this one as it is and will be very awkward for you to get around, more so with the standard of driving around here,
The police do set up routine road check points, so you could be in trouble that way if you were found both in the same taxi.

The muttawa are these days keeping a low profile compaired to some years ago.
i am not too sure if they pay a visit to the top of the range eating places.

The hash would be a good way to meet up and its fairly safe.

A lot of compound managers do not allow in middle eastern people i know my compound manager certainly will not allow in, so again access for soicial evenings will be a challenge for you both.

9 times out of 10 you may never get caught, !! but the number 10 time!!!!!! and its oft to the jail.

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

a friend of mine, Arabic girl, took a guy her husband had hired to Ikea, on her husbands orders, Muttaween caught them, she was in jail for 2 days, husband got a prince to get her out, the guy was in jail for 3 months, got flogged and then deported.
Just so you know......

Since you are Saudi, I suppose wasta is the thing you need to use to do what you want.
In my compoun a few Saudis were allowed, the ones the manager knew personally...until one Westerner got caught with a Saudi girl at the checkpoint to the compound, that little incident closed down all fun activities for a VERY long time....i think it was a lesson learned for many compounds.

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

No. I even have friends who've been harrassed at Kingdom Tower's restaurants.

Take your father if you can...

Re: Guide for Riyadh
 

I think I will try and take my dad to be safe...so much for romance :-/

My fiance is 30yr old (like I said, he's American) he's going to be here for a week ,starting March 2, and while I'd love to show him around this city and spend all day with him it's looking like that's not going to be an option.

If anyone on here is of that age group..preferably a FUN,OUTGOING GUY that wouldn't mind showing him around/taking him out one or 2 nights while he's here, send me a message.

He's a 30yr proffesional from New Mexico,USA..very outgoing,laidback..kind of a smart ass :-P in the best way

Let me know.

Thanks for all the help!