Riyadh Road Runners

Riyadh has a running group known as Riyadh Road Runners. They race every couple weeks with a variety of runs ranging from 5k's to marathons. Jordan skipped the first race due to it taking place at 4pm in the 110 degree heat. His first race was a 5 mile run on Friday at 8am...a more realistic time, but still hot by the start. When we left the house at 7am, the temp was 29 degrees Celsius (85 degrees F), but quickly raised to 33 degrees (92 degrees F) by the end of the race. The race was ran on a nearby compound. This compound was pretty small, so the 5 mile race consisted of running 5 1/2 laps around the compound. 

And it begins...

Checking his time at the 3 mile marker

Finishing strong, but exhausted from the heat

Historical Diriyah

Last weekend, we headed out beyond Riyadh city limits to see the old town of Diriyah; the original home to the Saudi royal family and capital of the first Saudi dynasty. Most of the city was closed due to restoration, but we were still able to explore some of the ruins that weren't closed. This area is also known for their date farms.  

driving into Diriyah

Old city ruins.
Most was left to our imaginations, but we were able to
recognize house foundations, a few  building walls, the city wall, and possibly a
mosque tower

Jordan and Mark exploring

Date Palm farm

Jordan inside what we believe to be the mosque tower

HOT and DRY

Date Palms

not quite ripe

exiting the ruins

Jordan trying to get a better view.
We happened upon some abandoned houses in
the "new" city of Diriyah

Checking out the abandoned neighborhood.
The houses were old, but had been updated with electricity

On top of Diriyah city wall

Al Yamama Rec Center

Home, school, and the rec center is where you'll find Jordan during the work week. The pool was crowded due to a swim meet, so I didn't take any pictures, but I will at some point. 

There's rarely anyone in the gym

Racquetball Courts

Game room

Indoor basketball court

Yoga room

Lit tennis courts just down the road from our villa. The
compound has numerous tennis courts throughout.

Rollin Around Riyadh

Here are a few images that capture our first three weeks in Riyadh. We've gotten lost, found our way around and now have a pretty good idea of the general layout. Luckily, the city is built on a grid system, so it's easy to get around once you learn the major landmarks and roads. 

One of the government buildings downtown

Good thing we know the symbol.

Single males only!

One of the many mosques around town.

Out in the desert...actually we're in the city, but this
is an undeveloped area. The rest of the city is like a desert oasis.

Riyadh in the background

Now we can get donuts AND coffee in one stop

Musmak Castle in Old City Riyadh

 The tip of a spear still stuck in the front door of the castle.

Extensive detail throughout the castle

The square where live executions occur

One of the many beautiful doors in the castle

Standing in "chop, chop" square.
This is the slang term for execution square.

Clock tower in Old City Riyadh

Shopping for incense

Saudi's burn various types of dried wood instead of candles or
incense sticks. This wood is very expensive, but burns slowly
and smells amazing.

Carpets, carpets, and more carpets.
Iranian silk carpets are exquisite and something
we'll be purchasing in the near future. 

Jordan on top of Musmak Castle.

Roaming around an old vacant neighborhood

This area will be demolished within a couple years in order
to update and modernize Riyadh. It's already vacant and falling down.

One of the famous landmarks in Riyadh,
Al Faisaliah Tower. This building includes
shopping, restaurants, and a hotel. 

Kingdom Centre houses The Four Seasons
Hotel, shopping, restaurants,  and a skybridge at the top. 

Who knows what this billboard is saying, but it's fun
to create your own captions. Jordan thinks he must be
looking at an uncovered woman.

Riyadh reminds us of  the Phoenix area with its desert landscape, but
oasis like atmosphere.  Saudi's spend a lot of money making their
city attractive and green.