Rush Hour
The cornice is very popular. It’s a strip of sea front park that has been renovated and made people friendly with grass and walkways. I was surprised that it was pretty empty on a weekend afternoon. The place in the background is a royal construction and the tower behind it is said to be for six star guests of the kingdom. I was told that it means that mortals are not welcome. There is a lot of foot traffic in the park, so much so that there is virtually no grass, hence the brown dirt surface.
And there are rugs laid out in different spots. And periodically people gather to pray. They are aiming east. But, it looks so incongruous. People march about. Men pray.
Women may not be near. They stay to themselves. And everyone looks to me to be praying to the god of traffic parking spots.
Concrete or dirt? It’s like the question paper or plastic in the grocery. In Jeddah it is all plastic (bags). But where to sit? Concrete or dirt. …or a little of each?
Kids At The Corniche
I love watching kids. They start pretty clueless. This one is shooting a bubble gun at his opponent. Yeah, sorry, you can barely see the bubbles. He’s standing close by because he is downwind. Get it? You need to be upwind in order really shoot bubbles. This kid was having a blast anyway. It just wasn’t an effective exchange.
The same kid and his sister had a kite each. It was neat. The father launched the kites. They stayed in the air a mere few seconds until the string got all tangled. The string was across the walkway so that unwary passersby would be caught up. That worked out really well, hence, the bubble guns. I think even that was too complicated. At least I got entertained too.
People At The Corniche
There is a commerce of sorts that thrives at the Corniche. Ladies sell wares. Mostly they peddle kids stuff. You see plastic toys all over. They don’t cost much. It’s a diversion for the kids.
Then there was woman worth a picture who was wearing her wares on her head. You don’t see that too much. As for the people who come, they sit anywhere. Plop down on the grass. There’s little enough of it. Most of it is brown dirt.
You sit in the shade of a palm tree. Hint, there’s not much shade. Otherwise, people just plop on the concrete. It surely is not comfortable looking or idyllic. There are a lot of people and few park spaces. It shows.
Sunset At The Corniche
Every night is not excellent. So you go with what nature gives. You need to be on the spot. But clouds are not always cooperative. But as with many things, it is location, location, location.
Then you just have to make lemonade if you are given lemons. I’ve shown you the fountain before. It’s a jet engine and touted to be the world’s tallest fountain. I take pictures of it ‘cause it’s there. Like Everest baby, like Erverest.
Fur Coat
Yes, my eyes were seeing a fur! It was not cold but by relative standards I suppose it was comparatively cold. Usually it’s one hundred so if the temp drops to seventy that’s pretty close to winter freezing. I don’t make this stuff up. If its sixty and the temp drops to thirty, that’s cold. So I have more questions.
You wear a fur to show off wealth and style. You wear it over your abaya. Huh? I mean, huh? I can’t see you. But everyone knows you. Like that sunglass commercial for whatever brand and everyone looks good incognito. Oh yeah baby. Well this was a first for me. A fur at the beach, imagine that! And last… it makes no sense to wear it under the abaya. That would just make you look fat, right?
Stylin’
Some folks are out on the Corniche to impress. Walkin’ and stylin’ – coolness. Since marriage is arranged, who are you impressing? Hey, you look good though.
Corn Man
I love the glow of the charcoal. The corn man has his same shirt. His image is there for the context. Otherwise this is about corn roasting over open coals. Personally, I like my corn sweet and juicy. I like the picture but the grill method does not appeal to me.
Afterglow
There is a moment after the sun has set in which there is a deeply orange sky. I lasts for a few seconds before everything goes blue. The fountain in the background is run by a jet engine and is said to shoot the tallest column of water in the world. It’s a nice subject. And the glow sticks add more fun. I don’t stage this stuff. People keep walking into my camera lens frame.
Corniche
Sunset is always different. I like good clouds. Then I want a nice orange glow. Sometimes you don’t get what you want. I like it when folks pass in front of my sunset. They get shot.
And it is amusing to watch the smart phone crowd. I have to admit the cellphone images are better than nothing. I guess for a screen saver or desktop image this is more than adequate. I just think you need a real camera to do it right. But notice my big fancy camera is having problems in the dim light too.
Dyed Feet
Henna dyed feet is a cosmetic custom. The dye is derived from a small tree. I have seen it in patterns on the hands before. I am not accustomed to seeing feet dyed in a uniform way.
It is definitely a fashion statement that I do not see anywhere else. I have yet to notice it in any of my patients.
