Riyadh— the greatest city in the world

نيسان ـ

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IBRAHIM AL-AMMAR

arabnews

Bold claim? I think not! I will now state my case — these are the four reasons that make Riyadh in my estimation such a great city, nay, the greatest city!

Riyadh has taught me:

1) Vigilance

Every time I drive, I assume everyone is out to get me. And it’s my advice to you too if you drive in a lot of Saudi cities: Imagine you have a bull’s-eye right on the back of your car and everyone is gunning for you. It’s part of everyday driving to have someone cut you off, stop suddenly in front of you, tailgate you, appear out of nowhere and almost hit you, and many other nerve-racking and car-wrecking scenarios. This has turned me into machine: Always alert, ever vigilant, ready to stop or swerve at any moment.

2) Patience

Those situations also teach me patience. Since they are unavoidable, you have to find a way to live with them. That’s what I’ve done: I know they are part of our driving culture and will need some time before they disappear. In the meantime, I must practice great patience so as not to explode.

Another way Riyadh teaches me patience: Though it’s better now than, say, 15 years ago, I still see the occasional disorganization in official buildings and processes, and those scenes are inescapable, because you have to complete certain procedures (e.g. renewing a passport). Whether its confusing processes, lack of queue culture or extreme crowdedness, trying to finish an official procedure is a lesson in patience, and I owe it to these physically and mentally (and sometimes, financially) draining tasks for making me a more patient person.

3) Strength

Nine months of hellish, brain-melting heat and three months of dry, bone-drilling cold. But mostly, it’s hot. If you find yourself sweating profusely at 8:00 a.m. after walking only a few minutes, or seeing the temperature is still above 40 degrees well into the night, you know you’re in Riyadh. And you know this can only make you stronger: If you survive in this weather, you can survive almost anywhere.

The heat is so intense, even the painful cold is a welcome change to many people: In the chilliest days, don’t be surprised to see groups of guys camping on the side of the road or in nearby desert areas, all set with their campfire, coffee and tea. Despite the dry and excruciating winter, it seems even that is a welcome change from the heat.

4) Education

There is unconventional knowledge Riyadh taught me. I will now share some of it: Did you know that it’s possible to skid with a 4X4 SUV? I have seen that and now I know it’s possible! I’ve also seen youngsters skidding with pickup trucks and vans, sometimes with maneuvers that defy the laws of physics, and exuberance that defies any consideration to public peace and safety.

Did you know that a one-way street can become two-way if you “feel like it”? Or that a four-tire vehicle can run while balancing on only two tires of either side? Fascinating information!