Saudi Gazette report We all know the perfect picnic weather, right? Bright, sunny day with a cool, gentle breeze. Not too warm, not too cold. Colorful flowers dotting the landscape with an occasional fluffy, white cloud dotting the blue sky. And if dark, gray clouds accompanied by a bitter, misty gust come rumbling across the sky, everyone packs up and goes scurrying for cover. Well, not everyone. Here in Saudi Arabia, where the scorching sun shines over the desert land for most of the year, a gloomy, dreary forecast – which most of the world despises — cheers up the locals and has them rushing out to the desert to snatch up prime picnic real estate. As several Saudi families chose to travel abroad to spend their vacation, others head to the desert to break their daily routine and enjoy the mild weather, Al-Riyadh daily reported. Unable to travel abroad, many families instead choose to spend their time at a desert outing where they can reserve a camping site or set up their own camp. Al-Riyadh daily recently talked to Saudi desert lovers. Umm Rowan Al-Shammari said her family was accustomed to traveling abroad but this vacation starting this week, they decided to try something different. She and her children decided to break their day routine and head to the desert for a change. “One of the enjoyments of desert camping is that each person depends on himself for his needs, and cooperate in preparing food, drinks, and other necessities,” she said. Lateefah Al-Shammari concurred and added that many desert camping areas, especially ones equipped with modern necessities, are crowded with families and the young ones find that desert camping is a great way to spend their free time. Fatimah Al-Afnan, a teacher, said she and her family did not have the opportunity to travel abroad this year and as a result, decided to spend their vacation in the desert, in fully equipped camps that have food, drinks, TVs, volleyball courts and many other attractions for the young. “This is the best alternative to traveling abroad, especially when the weather is mild and witnessing rainy days. It's a serene atmosphere, away from crowded restaurants, shopping malls and streets,” she said while calling on picnickers to preserve the environment and dispose of trash in allocated areas. Sociologist Khayriah Al-Zabin said vacations should not be spent on recreation only but must also be utilized in social, cultural and religious activities. “It is perfectly normal for families to experience the pressures of life and if their only other alternative is to head out on a desert trip in which they can find a real breath of fresh air, they should by all means do so,” she said. Umm Haneen Al-Dhaban, a government employee, reserved a suitable camp in the desert. “This was the best alternative to traveling abroad, especially when the weather is mild and witnessing rainy days. Abeer Al-Tamimi, a college student, said desert camping is the first choice for those who cannot afford to travel abroad. “Desert camping is further enjoyed by practicing sports such as horse riding, motorcycling, playing football, in addition to other sports. Rabiah Al-Nashi, a teacher, said desert camping provides her with a serene atmosphere away from the crowded restaurants, shopping malls, and streets during vacation.
