The Differences of Living in Medan and Riyadh (Part 3 -- The Last Part)

Omg, omg..
It's been a week I didn't write anything.
This month, it's been a lot to do at school.

So, I am right now trying to make time to write something, eventhough I just have one hour fifteen minutes before going to the class. 

Okay, I wanna talk about the differences of living in Riyadh and my city--Medan--, one more time or I think this is the last part of it. I am gonna write two things again this time. 

1. Getting on A Bus 

Honestly, in this section, I am gonna tell about my unpleasant experiece that I experienced when I was living in Saudi. Of course, something bad could always happen in our life wherever we are. And I never expected getting on a bus in Saudi (to go to another city) would be something I disliked. Since the culture is so different like in Indonesia or in my city. 

I know, it's good actually because in any places, in Saudi, they usually divide the sections between men, women, and family. Like on a train, at a restaurant, or a cafe, even in a line, including on a bus. I truly admire this division. 

But at that time, I was going to Madinah for the first time with my friends. So, we thought, who was earlier to come to the bus, they could sit in every seat they wanted. But, it didn't work that way. The driver or the worker on the bus will arrange the seat, whether it was a request from the local people or the driver himself. But, as it seemed that moment, it was a request from the people. They were a family so they wanted to sit close to each other. 

I frankly felt uncomfortable that moment. Because, I thought it was just not fair. Then, my Thai friends also asked us to stay in the seat. So, some of us stayed, some didn't. It triggered an argument between my Thai friends and the driver. It was surely not a good moment. 

Another experience, when I was going to Dammam, the same thing happened again. I'd chosen my seat. But then, I was moved to another one. The driver who arranged the seat. So, I felt discomfort. But, yeah what I can do, right?

The culture is so different like in Indonesia especially in my city. First come, first get. That's the culture in my city. People can literally have an argument if there is anyone who takes their seat 😂 


Well, yeah, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Like this saying, we must honour the culture where we live. Moreover we are a comer. Sometimes, it takes time to accept the difference, which is even the opposite of what we used to live with. We can learn here that we can't be a stubborn person and learn to respect the culture from different places. This is one of the beauties of living in a different country. We will learn so many things so much.

But, one thing that I know. Sometimes, we might have an argument with Saudis. But, they actually have a gentle heart. They will easily forget the arguing, no grudges or hard feelings. It is something that we can learn from them as well.

2. Places to Pray

There are so many mosques in Indonesia. Especially in my city, you can easily find mosques to pray. While in Saudi, especially in Riyadh, I think the same too. But, the difference is in Saudi, we can pray everywhere. Literally everwhere, even on the streets. They even provide sajadah / carpet on the street. Something that we don't do in Indonesia or in my city.

You will not find people pray on the street or in the park in Indonesia. Indonesians will think it's weird. They will say, "It's like there is no mosque. Why people pray on the street." This is something I very like about Saudi, able to pray in every place . I've ever prayed outside and in the park. But, yeah, we have to prepare sajadah wherever we go. 

What I admire also, the awareness of local people with prayer times. It's beautiful. When the adthan comes, most of people will go right away to pray. No matter where they are, even when it's in a fancy mall or in a tradional market. That is just so cool. 

(My friends and I were praying outside after we saw a camel race. No idea who took the picture 😅)

I know these two last things of the differences do not only happen in Medan or Riyadh. I brought up common ones that are familiar in the whole countries.  

Okay, I guess that is all. Actually, there are still a lot of the differences between the two cities. But I made it finish until this part. Insya Allah, I will write about living in Saudi in another chapter next time. See ya. Have a good day everyone! 🥰🥰🥰