The old streets of Jeddah feel like an Arabian version of the Canterbury Tales. Narrow streets wind and branch into further streets, occasionally merging into one large square, like streams into an estuary, before splitting again. Buildings are slowly decaying, forgotten like a doll from childhood; tossed aside. On these streets are many characters: stall vendors trying to entice you to see their wares, a proud boy posing in his family’s jewelry shop, a lady fully cloaked with only her eyes showing (and yet I could feel she was smiling), and street cleaners, pausing with their brooms in the shade. As you walk, smells of spices, sewage, and perfumes greet the nose. I feel like I have seen the heart of the city.

I realise the importance of preserving and holding on to a city’s history and tradition, as well as making developments to work towards a better future for all. It is good to know that restoration of the old buildings is beginning to take place. There are also many modern structures here, such as shopping outlets, walls of glass, and miles of concrete. I do hope that the restoration project is completed sooner rather than later, before the heritage of this city becomes a pile of rubble. I cannot see the spice sellers and small perfume vendors surviving against a backdrop of brand names and towering air-conditioned buildings.

The fish market, for me, was a fascinating and also slightly horrifying experience. On the one hand, it was great to see all the fish in different colours and to witness the bargaining, and on the other it was a dirty and smelly place - momentarily home to live fish and hammerhead sharks. Our lunch consisted of a huge banquet of seafood, which included prawns, barbecued fish, and squid. The good news is that in Saudi, if there is any food left over from a meal, it is reused. Whoever eats the leftovers from our meal will be lucky, be it the poor or a street animal - this country is blessed with consideration.