RIYADH: Residents of Riyadh have welcomed the onset of winter, with the respite from the long and hot summer giving them an opportunity to have more outdoor activities such as barbecues and nights out in the desert. The majority are happy because they are no longer cooped up indoors with the air conditioners on. Now they can wear warm winter clothing, breathe lots of fresh air and enjoy nature. “Winter season in Riyadh lasts four months with temperatures in December and January falling below 10 degrees Celsius,” said Muhammad Shehri, while preparing to go out for a barbecue with his friends. Shehri was not alone. Many families had opted to spend their weekends outdoors enjoying the pleasantly cold evenings. They passed the time by playing cards, table football and other games. People, fully equipped with camping gear, were seen moving to the outskirts of Riyadh. Shehri said he and his friends would look for an ideal location to prepare dishes, including roasted meat and chicken. “We feel like free birds away from the artificial lifestyle we are accustomed to during most of the hot summer months,” he said. For some, the weekend starts on Wednesday afternoon when they gear up to spend time in the open for two consecutive days. They take tents and other material for this purpose. Soccer is the favorite pastime for children, while their elders mostly prepare food. Shopkeepers have reported increased sales for items such as gas and electric grills and smokers. Muhammad Al-Otaibi, a father of three, said he usually invites his guests to a pre-designated spot on the outskirts of Riyadh for a late night stay. “I try to arrange a sumptuous dinner for at least eight to 10 members of my extended family. We enjoy every bit of the cold and breezy evening that Riyadh offers at this time of the year,” he said. He said his three children enjoy their time out in the open with other children. However, he takes every precaution by dressing his children with warm winter clothing to protect them from the cold. “After dinner I offer my guests a hot cup of tea which is an enjoyable experience not found on summer days,” he said. Dr. Saleh Al-Zayer, Professor of Art at King Saud University, said he grew up on a farm in the Eastern Province and is accustomed to sitting outdoors. “So I'm not as interested in spending time in the open like the people from Riyadh,” he said. However, he said he receives lots of invitations during winter from his colleagues for social gatherings outdoors.
