Jeddah, You Weird Little Gem (and My Sleep Schedule is Officially Toast)
okay, so jeddah. where do i even begin? i’m still running on fumes, fueled by strong Arabic coffee and the sheer bewilderment of it all. i just checked and it’s…a sort of hazy, sun-baked stillness right now, hope you like that kind of thing. twenty-one point eight seven degrees, they said. felt like twenty-one point oh three, which is basically the same, right? my internal thermometer is clearly broken.
I’m a touring session drummer, which means my life is a constant blur of airports, questionable hotel breakfasts, and trying to remember which city I’m actually in. jeddah wasn’t on the itinerary, not really. a last-minute fill-in gig for a band playing at some fancy resort. and honestly? it’s been…unexpected. in the best way.
It’s not like the jeddah you see in the brochures, all gleaming skyscrapers and perfectly manicured beaches. it’s…grittier. more real. the old town, al-balad, is a labyrinth of coral stone buildings, some crumbling, some beautifully restored. i spent a whole afternoon just wandering around, getting hopelessly lost, and loving every minute of it. seriously, check out TripAdvisor for some walking tour ideas if you’re feeling brave - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297474-Activities-Jeddah_Makkah_Province.html.
I overheard some drunk guys at a cafe complaining about the traffic. apparently, it’s legendary. “you’ll spend half your life in a taxi,” one of them slurred. “trust me, i’ve seen things.” classic.
“They say the sea breeze carries secrets here. Old stories, lost loves…and the occasional sandstorm.”
Someone told me that the shawarma at *Al-Harithy is a must. apparently, people queue for hours. i haven’t braved it yet, but it’s on the list. i did find this amazing little falafel place tucked away in a side street - Falafel House on Yelp https://www.yelp.com/biz/falafel-house-jeddah - seriously, go. now.
My neighbors, if you can call them that, are the people at the resort. but if you get bored, Mecca and Taif are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of taking a day trip to taif - apparently, the roses are incredible. i need to find a local board to get some tips on that - maybe something like this https://www.reddit.com/r/SaudiArabia/.
“Don’t stare too long at the Red Sea. It’s seen more than you can imagine.”
I’m trying to document everything with my camera, but honestly, it’s hard to capture the feeling of jeddah. it’s chaotic, it’s beautiful, it’s overwhelming. it’s a place that gets under your skin.
Pro-Tips (because why not?):
*Bargain hard. seriously, everywhere. it’s expected.
*Dress respectfully. shoulders and knees covered, especially when you’re not on the resort.
*Learn a few basic Arabic phrases. even just “shukran” (thank you) goes a long way.
*Embrace the chaos. jeddah isn’t about ticking off a list of sights. it’s about getting lost, trying new things, and just being.
*Hydrate. the sun is relentless.
*Check out the local art scene. i saw some incredible murals in al-balad.
I heard that the best place to get dates is at the Souq Al-Alavi* - apparently, they have every variety imaginable. i need to check that out before i leave. i’m also looking for a good coffee shop - a proper one, not just the hotel stuff. any recommendations? check out this local guide https://www.lonelyplanet.com/saudi-arabia/jeddah for some ideas.
Okay, i think i need a nap. jeddah has officially drained me. but in a good way. a really, really good way.
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