Day 3- Riyadh

I am still thinking about Day 1 in Riyadh where I had the great displeasure of bumping into a Muttawa. A Muttawa is the name given for the government-authorized or -recognized religious police of Saudi Arabia. They belong to the "Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vices." Often accompanied by a police escort, they have the power to arrest unrelated males and females caught socializing, anyone engaged in homosexual behavior or prostitution; to enforce Islamic dress-codes, and store closures during the prayer time. They also enforce Muslim dietary laws, disallow the consumption or sale of alcohol and pork. These guys are hardly seen according to people here. In fact, V, in his two months in Riyadh had not come across one.

So, we were at Euromarche Supermarket that day getting stuff for the home. A guy comes along escorted by a police man shouting at me, along with several women who hadn't covered their heads to cover head. It was frightening...his demeanour..plus whoever thought I would bump into 1 just hours after landing in Riyadh.

Back to today..headed to the gym and found it really pathetic. I mean a gym has to look fully equipped and presentable. This one...was really sad. Might have to look around for gyms outside of the compound.

I am raring to go check out the glitzy glamorous malls here. Infrastructure is awesome and there are loads of western restaurants. Waiting for the weekend for all of this.

Adios