We spent an evening with a group from the embassy at Najd Village, a traditional Saudi restaurant that visitors are often taken to for a cultural experience. The building in particular was quite interesting; the service excellent; and the food was good. There were sofas in our private room, but dinner was served on the floor, so we had to sit and eat on the floor, which I would have to say wasn’t the most comfortable thing in the world. It had a carpet, of course, but was mud brick under that, with nothing to lean back on.

We reluctantly left the exterior photo ops and went into the restaurant to find our private room. After a while I just had to look around for more pictures, so Tim and I exited the restaurant and then couldn’t get back in because of prayer time. (Diners can stay inside, but no food is served and the doors are locked, just like in supermarkets.) When we finally got inside again, our dinner spread was on the floor and ready to be eaten, albeit uncomfortably.

This was in an atrium of the restaurant. I didn’t quite understand what it was, but it did look like some kind of well contraption.

The lounging or waiting area, posted earlier: