SUMMER vacations provide opportunities for everyone to plan different recreational programs according to their means and interests. Many expatriates say that Jeddah is their favorite destination for holidaying as the city offers various entertainment events during the summer. The Jeddah Summer Festival – Jeddah Ghair (Jeddah is different) is one such event which draws a large number of visitors from across the Kingdom. Over 250 activities have been planned for the festival. For women in the Kingdom, who mostly have limited entertainment opportunities as compared to their counterparts in other countries, the festival promises a lot of fun. Saudi Gazette asked some expatriate women how they plan to spend their time this summer. Maria Milby, a Filipina beautician working in Jeddah, finds the summer time to be more hectic. “I get free time only during the weekends, during which I like to spend time shopping for my family and friends,” she said, adding that she longs to go on a long vacation but has not been able to do so. She said that during the summer time beauticians have to put in more hours of work as “it is the time when Saudi women have many celebrations and parties. It is only after the summer that I will be able to visit my country,” said Milby. Jeddah, with its old world charm, modern skyscrapers and shopping centers has become a major tourist attraction. Mieko Kawakami, a Japanese national, plans to “visit historical places in the Kingdom and enjoy the various events in Jeddah with her husband and children.” The family also plans to make a trip to Egypt and Lebanon, and finally a visit to their home country. “It is important that we visit our country every year. It is good to be with my parents along with my husband's family members after a long time,” said Kawakami. The festivals and events in Jeddah can be broadly categorized into three segments: religious, cultural and social. Most shopping malls, commercial centers, etc. here give out special discounts and shopping packages in a bid to attract tourists and local customers. The city hosts a number of opportunities for different sports activities, such as, boating, jet skiing, wind surfing, swimming, horseback riding, karate, etc. “My sons like to take swimming and diving classes during the summer, while my daughters want to visit the parks, game centers, zoos, etc. My husband and I have plans to visit our family and friends in Jeddah and attend a marriage ceremony here,” said Aliayah Adom, a Sudanese housewife in Jeddah. Some also consider the holidays the perfect time to make trips to the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah. Boueh Rachida, a Moroccan housewife, said that the vacations present a great opportunity for her and her family to visit Makkah and Madina. “For most of the vacation, I stay in Makkah and perform Umrah. Madina is a very peaceful place and I plan to stay there for a week with my family,” said Rachida, who has one child. She said that her husband is busier during the summer than he is during other times of the year. “With tourists coming to Jeddah, we see an increase in business activity during the summer holidays, because of which my husband prefers to stay in Jeddah instead of travelling,” said Rachida. Mukarramma Sayed, an Egyptian national who came to the Kingdom two months ago, is excited as she says it is her first summer in Jeddah. “I am new to Jeddah. I have heard that this cosmopolitan city is the most beautiful in Saudi Arabia. I would like to discover the city's beauty, historical sites, beaches, shopping centers and other interesting places,” she said.
