Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Toys Toys Toys

So I shop a lot at Carrefour, a chain of grocery stores here in the Kingdom. The stores stock half food/grocery items and half completely random sh*t. The random half usually has a household section and an electrical section, a section where they sell tacky clothing, etc. etc. And of course there are the toys. Now don't get the wrong impression - they do have cheap knock-off western toys, but I think what's more fascinating to see are the muslim geared items.

For instance, muslim Barbie.


And a board game to teach young muslims that mosque can be fun (???) I'm terribly curious about how to play this game, so if any of you could shed light on this, I'd be uber grateful. I won't lie, there is a part of me that really really wants to buy this game just to see what's inside.


Here's another one. I assume that the game doesn't really revolve around washing your face and going to the bathroom, 'cause I mastered those skills at four and fail to see the challenge in that.... No, it must have something to do with prayer time, am I right?


And this is just a picture I took at Ikea. This is their stuffed beaver display and it reminded me of home. There's something kind of macabre about seeing your national mascot scattered on the floor like this. Is Ikea trying to send us a message, Canada?

6 comments:

Sweet said...

Salam sis,

I totally forgot that I had to go shopping, the kids would be so upset...

My daughter got the Fulla doll while we were in Egypt...I like a "barbie" with hijab and modest clithes.

Mev said...

Hi there :)
I've been wanting to comment on ur blog fr a while, I really enjoy reading ur posts, a very interesting and unique perspective to the whole "living in the kingdom" thing.
Regarding the board game for washing your face etc... ur right, its the pre-prayer washing technique thats being taught to kids.
Hope ur enjoying the last days of summer, looking fwd to Eid hols? I know I am.

Hal said...

Waitaminute, 5 Saudi Riyal is makes the toys about $1.33US, or $1.42CDN. That's pretty cheap!

The Apprentice said...

Hi!

I'll skip the doll :P

as for the two books, they contain quizez for kids to compete with each other on whos more knowledgable in the subjects raised, also a fun way to learn it if you dont already know how, the first book is on the manners in the Masjid "mosque" and the second on is on ablution "getting washed for prayer", you can consider them education with fun tools, in a way. though I don't recall dad using that on me, but heck if its in the markets, somebody is usin`em.

Salman

PS. found your blog through expat-blog.com, I hope o be reading more of your posts.

Orchidthief said...

Hi guys! Awesome, thanks for all your comments explaining the games. I was realy wondering about them.

Salma, you might find it funny, but I actually bought one as a souvenir from Saudi.

Mev - Eid was awesome because we left the country this time like every other sane couple does.

And yeah, I was wondering about those prices too - I didn't think they could be right. Maybe on my next trip to Carrefour I'll pick one up.

Always nice to see who's reading, so thanks for the comments.

Tarab Al-Musiqa said...

that some sad, messy beaver...