Post #15: My Journey To Eat "Barshomy" Part One… In Photos

Makkah n Taif Saudi Arabia July 2009, originally uploaded by Fun Lilliy.

Barshomy is the Saudi local name for Opuntia which is prickly pears or cactus fruit

This is how the story of this journey began...
I was sitting with my mother having tea a few days ago and suddenly she paused and said "Do you want to eat Barshomy?" I was surprised by the sudden question and took me a minute to answer "is it in season?" she answered "yes… can you go to Al-Shafa for a day?". Al-Shafa is the national park with the small village in Taif Saudi Arabia a very popular summer destination by the Saudi locals because of the cooler mountain weather during the summer holidays. I thought only for a second and said "sure why not! Let’s go, when?" and just like that we decided to go two days after.
Yesterday morning we packed a picnic basket with our lunch. My parents and I headed off early morning for the one hour drive from Jeddah to Makkah where we rested there morning and noon. We had our lunch, and when it was the afternoon we were on the road again set on eating Barshomy in Al-Shafa … This was our journey in photos...

The road from Makkah to Taif on Al-Sail Al Sageer (Arabic for the small flood road) which is mostly used by truck drivers or by regular cars when the other road called Al-Hada road to Taif is closed.

The beginning of the scenic road to Al-Shafa between Al-Sarawat Mountains. The air as you go higher becomes much cooler and more pleasant.
During the winter months families from around the country either come to camp using old style Saudi tents or rent one of the many chalets that are filling the area for vacationing.


This is one of the many fruit stands that are scattered along the road which you will find once you start entering the area with all the attractions. Most also sell fire wood that is used by the visiting camping families or night time picnics.


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The right side photo is of the owner of the fruit stand.



Pomegranate is also in season now. Along with other fruits that are locally grown and most not with much technology. The farmers in this area still some of them use old organic farming methods.



Scenes from the road... if you go deeper into the woods and your camping for the day. Goats and sheeps will be passing by along with their keepers. Some are women wearing traditional clothing. These scenes are becoming fewer with time.


I thought that was funny...big man on small pony.


Old deserted rock houses or now resting areas for sheep keepers.



Cactus with barshomy fruits scattered all over Al Shafa.


Buying dinner Balillah (chickpeas salad dish) from one of the road side vendors. I will be posting a post in the future explaining the culture behind this dish, its recipe, and a video soon. These are common stands to find in any area that is touristic in Taif and Jeddah.


leaving...


and finally the sun had set on this nice day trip....

Next post will be "part two" with a video on how to peel Barshomy.

Suggested links:
The official Saudi Arabian Taif Tourist information site.
Another site I found with more info Taif.

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