JEDDAH, 12 August 2004 — An important point for young people is learning how to use free time both positively and productively, especially during the long summer vacation. With this in mind, Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd. Community Services Programs (ALJ) took the initiative and organized a trip to Paris for a group of Saudi orphans.
Twenty-three male teenagers from all over the Kingdom converged on Jeddah’s Sunset Hotel on a recent Thursday. Along with the young men were four supervisors who would accompany them throughout the trip.
After a buffet lunch, the group was taken on a tour of the Corniche. When they returned to the hotel, they had a video show of sights in Paris as well as briefings about their trip and also about various aspects of French life and culture. They also received detailed safety precautions to be followed during the trip. Once dinner was over, the group was off to the airport.
The group arrived in Paris early in the morning and was in their hotel by 9 a.m. On their first day in Paris, they had lunch at a well-known Turkish restaurant followed by a visit to the Eiffel Tower. They enjoyed climbing all the way to the top. Later they visited historical sights such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees. A stroll along the Champs-Elysees was followed by dinner at a French restaurant and a tour of the Place de la Concorde. The first day ended at the hotel, with a casual get-together during which the young men talked about their impressions and experiences.
As the next day began at dawn, the supervisors reminded the group that as Muslims they must follow the teachings of their religion and its code of behavior. They toured the Vosgienne Forest and the zoo. They also enjoyed boating along the Bois de Vincennes.
The students broke up into separate groups and enjoyed boat rides rowing themselves around. During their trip to Paris they also saw an exhibition of modern technology as well as visiting the Saudi Embassy in the French capital. A visit to Euro Disney was also part of the trip. At the end of the trip, souvenirs were distributed among the students and photos were taken. To Paris and back in eight days.
