You've been to Bukharia? Hahaha this is Taif's China Town.
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yeap!
I have had the privilege and honor to travel through Saudi a lot more than an average "pilgrim".
As I wasn't there for "work", I had plenty of time to interact with young people and the old. An occasional prince and the street vendor.
It was just fascinating. really really fascinating.
I can't give you all the details.
Because I plan to write a book about Saudi Arabia. It surely is an enchanted land.
But just to give you an idea. Just some hints.
there are three Saudi Arabias.
One before 1960s,
One after the major oil boom and concentration in the 1970s
And
the third Saudi Arabia that came into being in 2002.
Why it is so?
Well some you can guess
For the rest you have to wait for the book
I can guarantee though it will be an honest view where Saudi society will be shown as made up of human beings, and not some reciters of Quran 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In my humble opinion, while Saudi society has had a lot of weaknesses,
It also has remarkable number of strengths.
If these strengths are used in the right combo, It is quiet possible that Saudi Arabia may be one of the most dominant player culturally (and not religiously), industrially, and off course militarily.
peace