Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Looking out over the capital city of Saudi Arabia from the top of the Faisaliah Tower, where I was having high tea, my breath was taken away by the view. The setting sun made the white buildings far below appear golden, matching the desert sand beyond the city limits.

Riyadh is not only the capital city; it's the shopping capital. The souks (small market-style stores) are a great experience. Walk through the gold souks and buy your jewelry at prices far below what you would pay at home – providing you know how to bargain. Also find Persian carpets or hand-made imports from all over the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. I bought silk cushions for $5 each and found the same imports at home for $70. The modern shopping malls are numerous – the most popular are the Faisaliah and the Kingdom Mall. (The Kingdom Mall now has a women-only shopping level.)

Hungry? If you're bored of western food chains (which are available) try cuisine from India, Iran, Bangladesh or the Middle-East. I am now addicted to falafels, tabouleh, hummus, eggplant, spicy chickpeas, and baklava.

During the day, few people are outdoors – the dry desert heat makes most people nocturnal. Take advantage of that quiet time and visit The National Museum to learn the history of the land, the history of Saudi Arabia, and the history of Islam. See a prehistoric skeleton and some of the oldest artifacts in the world. The Dir'aiyah Ruins are also a great historic site to visit just outside the city – this is the old capital city that was built of grass and mud in the 1400s; the last inhabitants left only about 80 years ago. And visit a camel souk, where camels are bought and sold, for up to a million dollars each! Also outside of the city, outdoorsy Westerners have taken up desert camping, hiking, and sports. The Hash Run operates regularly – it is literally a run (or walk) through the desert.

On our last night in Riyadh, we ran with platters of fresh baklava pastries for our airport taxi; it was a taste of the city that we could bring with us. When will I go back? As soon as I can!

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