City center, Jiddah

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Qabel Trail is a typical shopping arcade in the 1970s (i.e. oil boom) style. It doesn't offer the sort of glamorous shopping that you'll find in the suburban malls in north Jeddah, but it is a good insight into the daily routines of migrant workers and lower-income Saudis in the city.

As it is called the bride os the red sea Jeddah is full of the old houses esp. in the down town area some of which were still exists to this day, the best-known of the Nassif House and the House Jamjum in Haret Yemen, Dar Al Baeishn and Al-Shafii mosque.
Jeddah residents built homes of stone Almenkebi they were mined from places scattered from the sea, such as Lake session.
And the way the building is in close stones in the ranks over each other and know the language of the profession on behalf of (Almdamik), plural (stone),and separate sections of wood called the language of the profession (Tkail) and for the distribution of loads placed on the walls

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Because I lived near the downtown, whence, I always pass by the old Jeddah area which always amused me.

Been here for the longest time but there was only very brief and limited occassions that I happen to get "in" the old Jeddah area.

But the old buildings, the architecture, the designs, the mixtures of materials used in the buildings, the cobble stones of pathways....they're really fascinating...very historical.

Taking pictures are not permitted...unless.... you dare and no-one noticed.

In Fitr and Adha eid (festivals), Jeddah's downtown celebrates this eid in a traditional style. Camels are especially brought, colorfully designed for riding. Swings and other traditional games are organized for kids, while a leading man sings the old kiddish songs, so the kids repeat after him...(ya halwat al eid ya halawa: what a beautiful festival!how beautiful).It's so reviving. I hafta go there every year after Ramadan. The other festival is held after Hajj season.
You'd see people from different nationalities, offering their goods for sales either drums, Arabian guitars 'oud', clothings...etc, very interesting.
Bring your camera, and be a local;^)

The road to Makkah and Madinah used to take days where caravans on camels and other animals suffered tiresome trips. During the prosperous Saudi era and after having laid down the wise plan of expansion, a huge network of roads was constructed linking Jeddah to Makkah in less than one hour and to Madinah, in less than four hours through an express way of six tracks on each side. Necessary services are available along these roads the clock.

Well you need to get permission to take photo , thats what read a sign outside Nassir House . Puzzled ? well I didnt take one anyway , coz by the time you apply for such a permission , guess sun will be sun will porbably disappear...but if you want peace of mind ..here's how to do it !

To find the office of Jeddah Historical Area Preservation Department (HAPD), head up Gabel Street, the main pedestrian thoroughfare opposite the Mahmal Centre. Continue straight through the covered part of the souq and the underpass and on up the hill to where the souq opens out into a square with Beit Nassif on your right hand side - go down the road to the right of Beit Nassif and facing you on the corner at the end is the office of the HAPD. You can telephone in advance on 647 2280 or fax on 648 4274.

Here is a picture of the main road that leads to the downtown Jeddah,King Abdul Aziz street,,from it you can turn into Gabil street,,the city`s oldest shopping street.
Nowadays you can find sevral shopping malls and centers with in the area as well as many restaurants and cafes.

The Queen`s building or in Arabic(Amarut Al malikah)is one of the oldest skyscrapers in Jeddah city......
I took this picture of the commercial center of this building on the night before Eid celebrations(The last night of Ramadan).
I think it got it`s name because it stands tall in the city center with pride just like a queen ;-)
but this is me just guessing ;-)

something that I found accidentally when I move aside from the main alley in the market of Al Alawi while waiting for my colleagues to buy their stuff

You can find many stalls selling beautiful beads like this in Souq Al Alawi....well I bought 2 ..what about you ?

do bargain a little coz all prices are not fixed !