So, I just got back from Jeddah and wow, what a whirlwind of a trip. I think I've got so much to say that it might spill over my coffee as I try to explain just how wonderful, messy, and downright surprising it all was. I went in thinking I had a good grasp on what the best things to do in Jeddah might be, but life, as it tends to do, had its own plans.
This spot? Total surprise.
Okay, let me start with this little gem I stumbled upon. I had set out with all these grand ideas, thinking of lush cafes and art galleries, and honestly? I wasn't expecting much beyond a boring afternoon. But then I randomly wandered into the Al-Balad district. Wow. Talk about a place that takes your breath away. The old town is basically a living museum; ancient coral houses, vibrant street art, and these twisty little alleyways that just beckon you to get lost in them.
I was standing there, absorbing all of it—the sounds, the smells, the textures—when I spotted this small artisan shop. I don't know why I ended up there, but I pushed the door open, expecting standard tourist fare. Nope. It was filled to the brim with hand-crafted items: pottery, textiles, jewelry. The shopkeeper was this elderly guy, and he just started chatting me up in a mix of Arabic and broken English. He ended up showing me how to make a traditional coffee. I mean, who knew making coffee could feel like an art form in someone's hands? I left with a little cup that he had crafted himself. It's now on my shelf, and every time I drink coffee, it brings me right back to that moment.
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
Now, for a trip that I thought would be smooth sailing, you wouldn't believe how many cultural blunders I made. One afternoon, a friend suggested I visit the King Fahd Fountain. Sounds fancy, right? But here's the catch: I assumed it was just a short walk from my hotel. Spoiler alert: it was not. I ended up taking a wrong turn and wound up near a park. I was feeling pretty grumbly, actually, when something unexpected happened.
I sat down on a bench, paused to breathe a bit, and noticed a group of kids nearby playing with some kind of kite. They were giggling and peeking over at me, and I'll admit—I smirked at them a little. Then one of the older kids ran over and handed me a piece of candy. I didn't even know how to react! Honestly, that small act turned my whole vibe around. We ended up playing for a bit, and I was reminded of being a carefree kid. It felt like magic.
So there I was, sitting on a random park bench in Jeddah with a handful of candy and a little gang of new buddies. I didn't make it to the fountain that day, but I came back to my hotel lighter and happier. Isn't that just how travel works sometimes?
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
It's funny because I almost missed another highlight of my trip. I had this vague image in my mind of wandering along the Corniche. I was all set to go, but, as per my usual, I got turned around. I ended up halfway to a completely different part of the coast and thought, “Great, here we go again,” but I had to just roll with it, right?
So I wandered by the water instead, and it was one of the best accidents ever. I found this little café with shaded seating right on the edge of the beach. I settled in, ordered a shrimp sandwich that honestly should have its own Michelin star, and caught one of the most beautiful sunsets I had ever seen. The colors were unreal—fiery oranges and soft pinks stretching endlessly over the water. I sat there, realizing that sometimes our mishaps lead us to the best memories. I met a lovely couple at the table next to me who were on their honeymoon, and we ended up swapping stories and laughing over some ridiculous travel tales. It felt like such an unexpected moment of connection.
Culinary cravings that linger
Now let's chat about the food for a second. Oh boy, the food! One evening, I had no plans at all and just wandered down to the marina. I saw a restaurant decorated with fairy lights and folks engaged in raucous laughter spilling out onto the street. It called to me like a siren song.
I sat down and ordered a plate of kabsa, a dish I had read about but never tried. And folks, the moment I took my first bite, it was like fireworks exploded in my mouth. The spices, the tenderness of the chicken—it was honestly phenomenal. I can't even explain how satisfying it felt. This warm, fuzzy feeling washed over me, and for that hour I forgot about my list of to-dos back at the hotel.
Honestly, I can't decide what left a deeper impression—the traditional meals or the spontaneous moments I had while searching for them. It's like each meal shaped my experience just as much as the monuments and parks did.
Parting thoughts
So, yeah. Jeddah was as messy and beautiful as a half-finished painting. I got lost, made friends over a shared laugh, and discovered places I hadn't even planned to see. Life's little surprises—those unplanned detours—just keep giving this trip a richness I wasn't expecting.
I'm still processing the experience over this cup of coffee, hoping to just catch that feeling a little longer. It already fades so quickly, doesn't it? But, eventually, I suppose, it all becomes part of the story. I look forward to the next chapter, wherever that may be.
