Friday’s in Riyadh is the day that the working population of Riyadh go
about their weekly shopping, Al Batha
is the area where all the emigrant population of Riyadh come to buy and sell,
its full of souks and stalls of all sorts and an incredible atmosphere on a Friday
evening, where the place is jammed full of people from all parts, particularly,
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sudan and Philippines among many
others.
Markets called Kerala Market and Manila Plaza gives you a hint of the mix of cultures and people in this area of the city, It’s a real cosmopolitan
place with a great vibe about it..
It’s a great atmosphere and in stark contrast to the modern
and flashy Shopping Malls throughout Riyadh favoured by the Saudi’s, this is a
very much an area in the city primarily for the emigrant community.
You can get someone to fix your shoes, fiddle with your
mobile phone to do all sorts of magic things, get your hair cut, buy socks,
fruit and vegetables, basically, whatever you need, you can get it in Batha.
Here are some photos I took this afternoon, which probably don’t
do justice to the wonderful chaos and mayhem……..
