Golden Days

I was born in Jeddah.My parents were settled there.Daddy was working in Riyadh Bank.My mom had gone there when she was around 10 years in the 70's.Very few  Indian families were there at that time.She was a student of IISJ.My elder brother too did his KG in the same school. 

When I was around 2, Daddy got transferred to Riyadh .We settled there.Both me and my brother enrolled in IISR. Initially there was only one school building for girls and boys and there were 2 shifts,for girls in the morning and boys in the noon.The younger children could choose any shift.Our uniform was sky blue and navy blue.We used to carry big bottles to school

School life was very exciting .I remember our play pen ,fancy dress competition and my KG2 teacher .

It was by the time I reached 3rd grade,I think that we got a new girls school building .Camp days,picnics,teachers Day,Annual days,Assemblies were all what we looked forward for.I had my close circle of friends-Sini, Mubeena & Jaseena .We always sat together.When we reached high school we were in different classes because of different second language and all.

Riyadh is a beautiful huge city with lots of buildings and very nice,spacious parks.What we missed there however was the beach.Climate was extreme..too hot in the summers and too cold in winter.We had to wear large coats ,jackets and all to keep ourselves warm.We used to use electric heaters too.

Entertainment in our times was TV,which unlike now was a short duration.There were only 2 local Saudi channels-one in Arabic and the other English.Cartoons used to come for just half an hour in the morning and evening.Then we used to watch cartoons on video cassettes. We used to wait eagerly to watch those programmes unlike now when kids can just watch whatever they want anytime.

We had many relatives in Riyadh, so our weekends were mainly spend with them -outings in parks,desert side and staycations with relatives(for us kids).

Annual vacations we used to travel back to Kerala and spend time with my paternal family.We used to go for tours too.I had lots of fun with my paternal cousins. I learned from them that we didn't need actual toys to play with.Leaves,used bottles,sand everything used to turn into toys for us.

Returning to Riyadh after vacation was always painful.

The best part of being in Riyadh was that we could go for Umrah(pilgrimage) often. The feeling we get in the Holy city is something unique and serene.

After our Umrah we would go to my maternal grandparents place.My uncles ,Aunts and cousins too were there.We used to have lots of fun and we kids were pampered by everyone with gifts ,chocolates everything.

Grandma's cloth clips,table mats,cushions all were toys for us😃.The best part were the sleepovers we had.We used to play board games and watch movies till the morning prayer and sleep after sunrise. Midnight feast was a must for us😂.Usually it was leftover Al baik broast.Our Aunt would be there to give us company😍.

Life in Saudi was wonderful.When I was there,the Kingdom tower and Faisalya tower was built.It was very exciting to go there and have food from the food courts because unlike now those days in restaurants we had barriers kept between the tables.

My younger brother was born when I was in 10th grade.Since there was a lot of age difference between us I was there in  Riyadh only 2 years after he was born.Later I went to join college. 

Over the years Saudi has developed in all aspects and has relaxed all restrictions especially for ladies as they have freedom now like other countries .

Saudi Arabia, was my first home and the memories I had there will remain in my heart forever. 

Dahlia Mohammed Ali