Border control was meant to be relatively straight forward. I made sure to greet everyone with Assalamu-alliakum (Peace be upon you) but the guy at the desk didn’t reply or address me, he just stuck out his hand for my passport. He was wearing the traditional head covering in Saudi Arabia like a turban.
On checking in at border control you don’t need your KSA visa which I showed the guy but he nodded his head to say it wasn’t required. After a few clicks on the computer he motioned towards a little device which was used to take fingerprints. I came to know/understand that fingerprints were a very common security control in Saudi Arabia not just at the airport.
I initially placed my right thumb on the glass on the device. I did not press too hard at this point. It was soon after the guard made me switch fingers on my right hand whilst pressing down my fingers using a tissue over my hand. This went on for about 10 minutes and I could sense that he was struggling to get the machine to get my fingerprints. He then asked me to lift my fingers so he could check my finger tips. At this point he laughed a little and asked me to confirm whether I had any skin conditions as apparently I don’t have any fingerprints because the system is really struggling.
After a few more attempts I assumed it finally worked and the guy was relieved a little and very quickly returned my passport and waved me through. On reflection, to be fair to him, I have had similar issues in the UK in various circumstances.
It was only a short walk to the exit of the airport out towards the parking areas and taxi’s. Before I left the building though I needed the toilet and as there were limited signs I didn’t know where the nearest ones were. I asked a guy wearing a lanyard so I think he worked there. He directed me more towards the front. Now I can’t see very well and I certainly couldn’t see where exactly he was pointing at but I just walked in the direction.
I came around a corner to a half opened door, in which I could see some tiles on the floor so I assumed this was it. On opening the door a bit more to get in my luggage I immediately came across two women who had their voices raised to stop me from going any further. They had headscarves but no veil.
I didn’t understand what they were trying to say at first but then I recognised the word “Ladies” so I went straight back out. As I looked back out I noticed the guy who had directed me and he was now pointing to the other side. When looking across this made a lot more sense as men were coming out.
Toilets at Jeddah airport are pretty clean but the floors can be a bit wet so be careful on this. Also I would come to find out later that generally across Saudi Arabia squat toilets for men are much more common culturally but at the airport they were all sit down toilets which was much more convenient if you’re uncomfortable or unfamiliar in using squat toilets.
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