April 2002, Saudi Arabia: index

From all the places in the world I have been to, KSA is the one that seems furthest away from my European ways and background. Our cultures, and even our religions, have so many common roots, but our ways of practising them seem to have evolved in two different universes. I have now learned, however, not to jump to conclusions about which one is better. Such comparisons are practically impossible.

At times, living and working there felt positively like what must have felt to be Alice in Wonderland. However, I was fascinated by this beautiful country and I have met some overwhelmingly kind people. My students were great, and the general hospitality of the people I have visited will be one of my fondest memories ever. And, to my own surprise, I felt quite at home towards the end of my stay, just like Alice.

The pages below contain photographs from these seven weeks.

• The old part of Jeddah.
• The college I am visiting.
• Diving close to Jeddah.
• The desert by Jeddah.
• Some trips around the kingdom.
• A few friends.
• Modern and traditional architecture.
• Visiting Ann in Taif.
• Beautiful Saudi countryside north of Jeddah.
• More images from the north.
• Some landscapes from the south.

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Silvija Seres, 5 April 2002