June 11, it was our second day in riyadh, hungry, sleepy and tired. All of us feel exhausted and no plan of doing anything, but to eat. One of our colleague suggest to go to a nearby restaurant and buy kabsah or eat there as well. Its 11:00 O Clock in the morning, I feel the hot temperature outside the villa for the very first time, for we arrived 2:00 AM.The sun really strikes and i fel the burning sensation on my skin. I am thinging it over 40 degrees and its really uncomfortable.
Since our mission is to get food and eat, I neglect the fact that we don't have Eqama, and is walking under the HOT sunny Noon. At last after about 15 Minutes walk, weve arrive to the restaurant that serves kabsah. We order at around 11:20 and was told that it takes around 15 minutes to prepare. The team agread and we waited. Time pass by and its already 11:45...11:50... 11:55 its over half an hour and the food is not yeat ready. We asked the server about it and was told to wait. Another unfortunate things happen, at 12:00 Noon its Sala Time (Prayer Time) and all stores are obliged to close. We were told to just carry our order out of the restaurant. Six person, very hungry, tires, sleepy and agitated has no other choice but to carry our food and walk again under HOT Sunny Noon for 15 minutes again back to villa.
Things ive noticed, there is no utensils. Our carry out food consist of yellow colloredoily rice, a roasted chicken part (either a breast or a thigh part), half cut onions, one small cup of salsa, and 1 jalapeno (raw). Never in my dream that i will eat uncooked chilli and a fresh onions, but i did.
I am of those " maarte person" when it comes to rice. I am proud to say that even i came from a poor family, my parents able to provide good food on the table. My mother os very particular with regards to rice. She make skure that the rice is smooth in texture and white. This attitude was pass to all the children and we are all very particular in selecting rice.
Kabsah Rice, as ive tasted the first time, was like a fried rice and has a lot of spices in it. Im not sure what are those, but it taste awful. It makes the rice becomes yellow and it smells funny. The rice being used is a Wagwag rice. When you eat it , it is comparable to the rice that was not dried properly, stocked for over a year and a lot of insects like roaches passing by before milling.
If im not very hungry, i dont think i can continue eating, in fact my appetite to eat disappear. I am very sorry but i can't finish my food, and needs to throw the leftover. From that time on, I promise w will never eat kabsah again.
Days passed by, and still we have no Iqama. Its very deppressing experience, and i cant find a way how to manage it. Luckyly after 15 days of doing nothing, we were told to work in the company;s call center for the meantime. I am thinking that at least we will get ourself busy and has the previledge to use the internet.
Second day in a call cener, that one of the boss treat us a Kabsah this time he bought it from SHAWAYA .This time, i dont have the right to complain for we are really hungry and has a tight budget. Food is already in front of you and all you need to do is eat.
To my surprice the food, taste differently this time. The rice is quite the same, but there is no after taste like the one before.The chicken is roasted, awell done and spicy, which i really like, there is a macaroni included. I dontk know how they cooked it, but i have to admit its really good this time. I eat my words, Ive break my promise that i will never eat kabsah again. This time i am thingking that when i get home, i will bring some spices used to cook Kabsah and will do my own dish for my family to try.
Its really a great experience. You can try one for yourself, in fact its is not expensive. 6 Riyals per serving if if your not a heavy eater, it is enough for 2 person.
