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Saudi Festival Showcases Green Mountains, Flower Crowns

Associated Press

   AL-SOUDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - Atop a string of green mountains in Saudi
   Arabia, a monthlong festival drew a medley of yoga enthusiasts, extreme
   adventure seekers, tourists and traditional Saudi families -- many
   wearing colorful flower crowns native to the region as the kingdom
   looks for ways to revamp its image and build up tourism.

   The al-Soudah festival, which ran throughout the month of August, gave
   visitors a chance to experience a unique region in Saudi Arabia and
   take part in outdoor sports like hiking, mountain biking, paragliding,
   horseback riding, zip lining and bungee jumping. Thousands also
   attended concerts by Middle Eastern superstars.

   Scenes of women zip lining and young Saudis at concerts, while
   nevertheless in a remote village, are a stark departure from the
   ultraconservative policies that for decades barred concerts and gender
   mixing, as well as shunned women's sports in the kingdom.

   The reforms are being pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the
   king's powerful 34-year-old son. He is looking to revamp the country's
   economy to become more resilient in the face of lower oil prices.
   Boosting domestic spending and opening the country to foreign tourists
   are seen as ways to create more jobs for the millions of young Saudis
   who will be entering the workforce and looking for jobs in the coming
   years.

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