Note the residences above the market

I went on the Wednesday Women's shopping trip to Al-Balad Market area in old downtown Jeddah. Al-Balad is the historic center of Jeddah and can literally be translated as “The City”. Balad traces its history 2,500 years back as a fishing village when the Quda’a (Arabic: قضاعة) fishermen tribe settled there.Here are a few pictures I took today.

Look at the green wood work on the buildings

 A lot of the old building in this area are made of corral. The wood on the outside is quite dense and the condensation on the wood acts like an air conditioner cooling the inside of the structure as the air passes through the louvers into the interior of the building. The markets are then found on the lower level of these buildings.

The old being torn down making way for the new.... history only kept in pictures

There were old shallow steps used by the early travelers and their mules and camels carrying their loads. A lot of history in this area. Jeddah was a walled city with three gates allowing entrance to the city. These old structures are falling into disrepair and being torn down to make way for new shiny buildings..... Oil money changes a culture.

Josh, I took this one for your benefit...Enjoy!