A Weekend Away and My Last Weekend in Saudi...until I come back

     Last weekend, my co-worker announced she had joined a women's basketball team in Jeddah and would be spending every single weekend in Jeddah.  For some reason, I got caught up in the excitement and promptly announced I was going too.  She could do her thing, but because there were no seats left on the bus from base, we agreed to figure out alternative transport to Jeddah together.  We found 2 more teachers going and managed to book an SUV for 200 SAR.  The bus was no longer on the table!  One of the other teachers, whose husband lives in Jeddah, asked if I wanted a ride back....REALLY?  HELLLLLLS YEAH!  So, I booked a hotel in Jeddah, breakfast included, walking distance to a HUGE souk, and close to everything else I might need.
     Zantika's friend was out of town until Friday, so she booked a last minute room at my place.  We dropped off our bags in our AWESOME rooms, and headed down to the restaurant for supper as they were about to call prayer...again....We paid a pretty penny for a pretty awesome buffet supper and huge dessert table :-)

View in the morning from the restaurant.

    After supper we headed out to the souk and shopped until we dropped about 10:30.  Even though the beds were hard, I slept like a baby!  Traveling with my mini-humidifier and mini fan makes a HUGE difference.  At breakfast in the morning, we saw a mommy cat and her little kitten looking at us with hunger in their eyes.  The buffet was about to close so they got turkey sausages.  The next morning, I made sure they had some sandwich meat and eggs.  While these 2 were eating, another mommy came up, so I went back in and snagged some more food for her.  EVERYBODY eats when they come to my house!

Mommy and baby.

View from my room :-)

     On my last morning, I went for a walk with phone in hand and took pictures of the historic sections of Jeddah.  The Saudi are very quick to tear down, but I was glad to see they were preserving the ancient architecture.  It was really amazing.

     I was able to make contact with my friend and co-worker Elizabeth and her husband begrudgingly agreed to drive us around to shop.  I was able to pick up some trinkets for my kids and found a FABU crafting supplies/sewing store.  On the way home we stopped at LuLu Market and I discovered my new hard to find go to place.  Life is good.  I am heading home and hope to meet up with as many people as I can while I am home!