Sex drive

I think I already mentioned that women are not allowed to drive in Saudi. I can hear all macho men from here: “Well, the roads must be safe, then uh?”

Let me tell you it’s the complete opposite! And that’s a woman used to Mexican driving speaking here! Saudi driving would be like Mexican worst driving… to the power of 10! Thanks God there’s no drunken driving over here; the casualties are high enough as it is. Driving is the Saudis’ favourite pastime, fast and furious driving is their passion!

So you’ll have guessed where all Saudis go to on Friday, right? (Well that is when they’re not at the mall)

On a sunny Friday afternoon, all the dunes nearby the city are stormed by 4WDs. It’s quite a phenomenon: it’s not so much about showing off your car, but above all your driving skills. So Daddy in his Cayenne can show his wife and children who’s the boss! Funny thing is it’s not always as easy as it seems… You can see how they try their way up, get stuck, and reverse. And try again. And fail again. Here they come, speeding up, they’re up two thirds... Too bad they got stuck again! Of course some other guy will try and drive exactly past them, cheered up by his children and wife, and when he finally manages the joy is incomparable! The lucky ones who reach the top of the dunes get a privileged, hardly earned view onto the sea and tons of garbage scattered around. I know, that's sad, especially after putting out so much effort...

Anyways, I must confess it’s still a huge lot of fun! We did enter the game, and managed our way up and down the dunes without so much trouble. 

The playgrounds

Children's playground - quad bikes

If you don't have any 4WD that's fine, you can just try and leave skid marks with your old American car
- as long as it releases testosterone that works too!

Having a go at quad biking - Luckily even women are allowed to drive those!