Written by Jeddah is a port city located in Saudi Arabia. The city is close to the Red Sea. The temperature by Saudi Arabian standards was lukewarm in’ the city of Saudi. I Makkah, Madina, and Taif for example were hot in the summer. The other thing is these cities were more restrictive relatively in religious clothing and other cultural norms. The period I talk about is the 80’s. The Good Old 80s’ was the best quote I could find from the A-Team” serial.
It goes like this:
“Hey I thought you were Amish.” This is in reference to an episode involving A Team and Amish people.
The response was:
“Hey Man, This is the 80s”
Balad-Old City section in Jeddah
Balad was founded in the 7th Century and supposed to have defensive walls which were torn down in 1940s.
Life in 1980s in Jeddah
The 80s was a very good time in Saudi Arabia. We went to Jeddah in 1977 and I was really young. I mean by the time I figured out where about who am I, the country or location it was Jeddah. The roads in our area were not completely built and were dusty. I remember African ladies called “Hajja” selling Gold coins on the street. They literally sold gold on the streets. Once the adhan (Muslim Prayer) was called, they left their stuff on the floor and covered it. Then they left for prayers. Yes, they left valuable possessions like gold on the street and left for prayers. ! I am not kidding since I was there.
The society there was an Islamic utopian society and in simple terms, it was like:
- See No Evil
- Hear No Evil
- Say No Evil
In the whole 13 years I lived, as far as I remember I heard of 4-5 cases of theft and other crimes. There were no thieves, no burglary no kidnapping and you could move any time in the night without fear.
Gazzaz was a luxury brand that connected with Saudis and foreigners as a quality brand.
Mainly a perfume brand started by Hussein Gazzaz, who died in 2014 , at age 95.
Gazzaz brand was started ib 1949 approx , a dream what late Hussein saw in streets of Cairo in the thirties. Good old times and the feeling too.
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The Koreans built the roads. That’s true Koreans built the roads in Jeddah, and I am saying from memory. Later on Chinese and others might have bought, and I cannot remember. There were sweepers from the City Corporation and they were called “Baladia”. These guys were suits. In those Saudis were the distinguished and did not work in blue-collar jobs but only in important jobs, white-collar jobs, or heads of businesses. I think they were getting subsidies. Saudis prefer to work in the universities and get jobs there. They respected doctors and engineers. Doctors and Engineers and working for King Abdul Aziz University (KAAU) meant that person had immunity in comparison to other blue-collar job holders. The laws were strict and in accordance with Shariah (Islamic Law.).
Author: SAMEE
SAMEE is equivalent of Saudi Arabian and Middle east Ex Expats. This for ex expats who worked in Middle east between 1970s to 2000. Mainly Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, etc. Captain Majed is the admin and mascot of SAMEE