Shopping in Hofuf

During our four-year stay in Saudi Arabia, we drove over to Hofuf many times to buy rugs and jewelry and other crafts.  Shopping in the Middle East is far different than shopping in the States.   It took me awhile to get the hang of it.  I had the help of a Lebanese woman who taught me the fine art of haggling in Arabic.  I learned to halve the price immediately and then scream when they refused to budge.  Even in the shops where items had price tags, you always always asked, "What is your best price?"

The floors of my home are covered with the rugs I brought back with me.  I love the simplicity of the rugs made in the Hofuf area.  They are made from the wool of sheep and camels.   Their geometric shapes are restrained and their colors are bold, a sharp contrast to the desert landscape.

I came home with many silver bangles and necklaces.  Jewelry is very important to Saudi women, both rich and poor.  The ladies in the souks wore dozens of bracelets on their arms.  Although its primary function is adornment, it also represents a woman's social and economic status.  Whenever she bears a son, she will receive a piece of jewelry from her husband.  She wears amulets like the one centered above to ward off evil spirits.  My necklace is made of British-Indian coins and low-grade silver beads.