I wake up to the sound of the rain. That could be a reason to stay down, but I can't. If I lie down for more than 7 to 8 hours, my back starts to protest, so get up. Not much later the power goes out and noisy generators start here and there to generate electricity. Around noon there is power again, but with a full battery in the laptop and the NPOstart website I can get through this rainy day.
The next day the sun is shining again and I am on my way to the Faisal Mosque. This mosque is different from others. The architect was inspired by Bedouin tents and designed a modern, contemporary mosque. A huge building that ranks 6th among the largest mosques in the world. The square next to the mosque can be reached via stairs, but you must first hand in your shoes, because they are not allowed in the entire complex. Fortunately, men with mops walk around all day to keep the huge marble surfaces clean. It is busy and I am the only foreign tourist so I am often approached and photographed. A student from Afghanistan tells me that I am the first Westerner he has ever seen! In any case, it provides very nice encounters and conversations.
For the first time this trip I see wild monkeys. A whole group tries to find something to eat at some garbage containers and when I try to take a picture a fruit seller throws some bananas at them so that I can get very close to take a picture.
