Joud Al-Amri Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Many Saudis celebrated the National Day turning it into a short vacation. Some traveled abroad while others celebrated the joyful occasion here. But those who stayed in the Kingdom did not have many options where they could express their joy for the occasion. There were no places to go. Those who traveled abroad decided to do so to escape the chaos that accompanies this occasion from the troublesome behavior of some Saudi youth. They wanted to spend their time off in peace away from road accidents, traffic congestions and other problems caused by the youth. Many who stayed here rented chalets or villas and enjoyed celebrating the occasion with their family members. Some people who could not afford to go abroad or rent chalets put on green uniforms and painted their cars green and went out on the streets to celebrate the occasion in their own way.
Mamdooh Al-Juhani, a college student from the Eastern Province, said he took advantage of the occasion and traveled with his friends to Dubai to enjoy a few days off there. He said he never enjoyed the National Day celebrations here. The reason was that there were no places where he and his friends would go and celebrate the occasion and there were no activities to enjoy. That is why a large number of young Saudis choose to travel abroad on this occasion whenever they get the chance. Fahd Bin Saad, a father, said the authorities do not provide citizens with many activities they can enjoy on such occasions. This fact makes a lot of young men create chaos on the streets due to their irresponsible behavior. Those young men do not have places to go and that is why they gather on the streets and near malls. “We don't know what to do if we stay here in the Kingdom. That is the reason we prefer to spend the holidays abroad and enjoy some peaceful time.” Some young men hold officials and their families responsible for the reckless behavior and actions on some part of youngsters. Those young men believe that there is a gulf between them and officials and their families in terms of age and viewpoints. Khalid Saud, in his 20s, said, “I speak on behalf of all Saudi youth who have been accused of being uncivilized when I say, as youngsters, we don't have places to go and we don't know what to do throughout the year, whether there is a vacation or not. That's why we travel abroad.”
