Today, we planned on spending the day in Taif and driving to
Jeddah. We left the hotel at 9:15 and
drove around trying to find the entrance to a cable car that would show us the
heights of Taif and the rocky terrain of the mountains. Since it is the first day of Hajj, everything
was closed until about 1:00. When we
arrived at the entrance to the cable car, we just hung out for about 2.5 hours
and let the kids play on the playground.
Interestingly enough, there was a Chicago’s Style Uno’s pizza place next
to the Ramada Inn there, so we waited until it opened too.
While we waited, we saw dozens of baboons that roamed the
grounds. They were easy going enough, and the kids enjoyed seeing them. Everyone got away unscathed or bitten, so all
was well with the baboons. Some went up
to the gate and rode some camels with some very aggressive guys who would tug
you and even take your kids and put them on the camel. One guy kept pulling at me until I yelled at
him to not touch me. James was a little
scared and certainly didn’t want to ride the camels, so we walked away. As we were leaving, I saw one of the guys
hitting a camel, so I’m glad I didn’t give them any money.
Uno’s was a nice treat and getting on the cable car was a
breeze even though we had to wait forever.
The ride down the mountain was very interesting. I wouldn’t say beautiful because it was just
rocks and more rocks, but it was certainly not what you think about when it
comes to Saudi Arabia. When we arrived
at the bottom of the mountain, there was a small little touristy area that had
a pretty cool water park (kids and males only) where we ate some ice cream
bought from some guys who were very surprised we were from America.
We rode the cable car back up to the top of the mountain and
loaded up for the 2.5 hour drive to Jeddah.
The most amazing part of this journey was the split when we arrived near
Mecca or Makkah. Even if it wasn’t Hajj,
non Muslims aren’t allowed in the city of Mecca. Instead, they route you around the entire
city where there is a cool little sign that separates Muslims from non-Muslims
on the road.
We arrived at a compound in Jeddah where our friends and
former co-workers had graciously offered to find some villas for us all to stay
in. It was great to see them, and they were so helpful settling us in.
A great day again.
The boys were dead tired when we finally put them to bed, but they again
were so well behaved all day. We are so
fortune. Plus, we didn’t leave our bag
behind!