“Wait, This Is Saudi?” — A Journey Through the Unexpected, Told By the Insider

by Barbara Yakimchuk

“Wait, This Is Saudi?” — A Journey Through the Unexpected, Told By the Insider

23 Jun 2025

Let’s play a quick game. What are the first three things that come to mind when you hear “Saudi Arabia”? If you aren't living there (or not the editor of Sandy Times) — chances are, you will probably say deserts, camels, and maybe football or oil.

But what if I told you that Riyadh is one of the few cities that never truly sleeps — and that the Kingdom is a haven for those seeking raw, natural beauty and a unique kind of energy? What if I told you it is also a rising hub for creativity, filled with young, passionate people?

Still not convinced? You don't have to take my word for it. Let Osama Almohsen, someone who has lived and breathed this transformation, guide you through the new Saudi — from buzzing cities to hidden treasures.

— Let’s start with something simple. Tell me shortly about yourself?

— Well, right now, I am juggling three main things: modeling, event management, and DJing. That is where most of my energy goes these days.

Modeling plays a big role in what I do — but it is definitely not everything. I guess you could also call me a content creator, though that is probably the last thing I would mention. Yes, I have some content online, but it is not the main focus of my life. I am always trying out different things, still figuring out what truly feels like me.

— And how did your modeling journey start?

— It all started with my love for fashion, styling, and creative self-expression. I have always enjoyed putting looks together and playing around with different styles. Then one day, an agency noticed me and saw potential — and that is how it all began.

— You are clearly a creative person! But some of your modeling work can be quite bold — and you are doing all this in a country that, until recently, was much more closed-off. How do people usually react to what you do?

— A lot has changed here, especially in the past five years. Back then, people mostly stuck to traditional or very casual clothes. Expressing yourself through fashion was hard — and honestly, it still is in some ways. Even sitting in a casual, washed-out T-shirt like I am now? That used to be almost impossible.

I am fully Saudi — not mixed — and for someone like me, wearing what I want in public still draws attention. I am sensitive to that. I don't want people constantly staring, so sometimes I hold back.

But things are definitely changing. With more tourists coming in and more events happening, the vibe is becoming freer. People are more open now. Sure, there is still some judgment — but it feels softer. These days, I finally feel like I can wear whatever I want.

I have always wanted to stand out. I want that to show in everything I do. Playing it safe or blending in just is not me. People know me as a little bold, a little funky. I don't follow a straight line — that is just who I am. So whenever someone invites me to be part of something, I say: give me something wild. Forget the rules. If it reflects who I am, I am in.

— And this mindset — did it help you connect with others in the creative world?

— Absolutely. Most of the time, the people I connect with are not even from Saudi — and I love that. I am always looking to support and collaborate with people from different backgrounds. I feel like that is part of our culture — we genuinely want to help, be welcoming, and show the beautiful side of our world. That is actually how I met the Latvian team behind the film we will be talking about. They had this creative energy I really vibed with, and I just knew I wanted to be part of it.

— Let’s talk about that! I know you were the co-creator of a short film about the youth of Saudi Arabia. And while it is not out yet — tell me, what is it about? What is the main idea behind it?

— It is a road-trip fashion documentary that dives into Saudi youth culture, with a focus on personal style and self-expression. Most of the crew is from Latvia — I actually met them at a gig here in Riyadh, and that is how it all started. We connected instantly and began exchanging ideas.

They originally came to Saudi for a commercial shoot, but while they were here, they discovered this whole underground creative scene — music, art, fashion — and it really moved them. So they started meeting young people, capturing their fashion choices, and listening to their stories. The project turned into something much more personal than they ever expected.

Source: stevespencer.tv

— And how did the whole process come together?

— We had an amazing director — Reinis Spaile! I was one of the co-creators, along with Emils Ozolins, Mark Kadek, and Helvijs Finkis. I mainly worked on locations and contributed to the creative direction. My father is actually a geography professor, so growing up, I was always surrounded by that kind of knowledge. He used to take me to all these hidden spots and explain the landscape — the types of rocks, formations, everything. I remember studying volcanic rocks with him, the ones that actually sparkle when the sun hits them. I took some friends there once and they were shocked. They were like, “Osama, we didn't even know this existed in Saudi!” It is part of my roots. I grew up in the desert. Back then, we had this family ritual — every winter, me, my parents, cousins — we would go camping for two weeks. No phones, just us and nature. It was almost spiritual. As Muslims, it was also a time to reconnect, reflect, and just be with loved ones.

We filmed in Riyadh, AlUla, and Al Baha — not the typical tourist spots, but places off the beaten path, places that mean something to us.

The whole concept was built around summer, youth, and being real. We did not want anyone to act — we wanted them to show up as they truly are. So most of the people featured in the film are either my friends or friends of friends. Some I connected with through Instagram.

The whole project took about a year and a half — filming, traveling, coordinating — the team needed to fly back and force. It was not rushed. Every scene feels personal to me. Each one carries a memory.

— Can you give me a few examples of the people in the film — people who inspired you or stood out?

— I can't share everything, because some parts are still under wraps. But what I can say is that none of the people in the film are professional actors. For example, I introduced the team to one of my closest friends — Omar, who does Arabic calligraphy. He has this amazing perspective and energy.

We didn't want anything scripted or over-produced. We wanted people who truly reflect Saudi youth — different, blended individuals who skate, hang out, dress how they want. We did not want to direct too much — we wanted them to just show up as they are.

You know, the media often portrays a very outdated image of Saudis — that we are still in the desert, doing nothing modern. That is just not the case anymore. So we gave people the space to be themselves. To reflect the real Saudi — especially how much it has changed in the past five or six years.

Source: stevespencer.tv

— You were shooting in a few cities across Saudi — Riyadh, Jeddah. Since you were the one responsible for finding the cool locations in the film, can you share some hidden gems in Saudi Arabia? Places you would never find in a typical tourist recommendation.

— Oh yeah, for sure.

One of them is The Lobby Cave. It is an underground cave about an hour and a half from Riyadh. I love going there alone or with close friends — we meditate, play music, stargaze, even camp out. It is honestly one of my favourite places in the whole country.

Another spot is Ain Heet Cave. It is a natural cave with freezing cold water — I think it was formed by a shooting star ages ago. Most people in Riyadh haven't even heard of it. You hike down into it, and the temperature drops — the air is cooler, the water is ice cold. It is amazing, especially in the summer.

And then there is Thee Ain Heritage Village. It isn't just beautiful — it is historic. It is a traditional old town, with buildings made entirely from stone, going back more than 200 years. Behind it, there is a small mountain you can hike — takes about an hour to reach the top. The water up there is crystal clear. You can swim, relax, and disconnect. You will also find untouched farms, old structures, even ancient stone sculptures.

One more place: Wabah Crater. Easily one of the most stunning natural spots I have seen — and we shot a scene there for the film. Its really hidden.

We also stopped by a small village in the Al Qassim Province, home to the world’s largest date market. It is surrounded by farms, and some of them have not been touched by humans in over 15 years. When you are there, it really feels like time has paused. Places like this — they aren't in the guidebooks, but they stay with you.

Source: unusualtraveler.com; mytrip.sa

— Wow! And what was your favourite location you visited during filming?

— One of the highlights was definitely Elephant Rock in AlUla — that was actually our final shoot. But to be honest, what stuck with me the most wasn't just the scenes we filmed. It was the place I got to show the team — those really niche, hidden spots.

— You were born and raised in Riyadh, so I have to ask: how do you personally feel Saudi Arabia has changed over the years?

— I am 27 now. Five years ago, I was 22 — and honestly, life felt completely different. Back then, I mostly just hung out with my cousins. We would go to a restaurant, maximum — to a park — and that was pretty much it. There wasn't much else to do.

Now? It is a whole different vibe. People do not realize that Riyadh is a city that never sleeps. Seriously — at 1 or 2 am, the streets are always full of life. Сafés are open 24/7. Literally, some of them never close. There are also hangout spots — not really creative spaces, but places where we meet, play cards, or board games. Locals in Riyadh know these places — we just meet there and chill.

It isn't like other countries where everything shuts down at night and the city turns into a ghost town. There are so many things happening, I can't even count. We have MMA events, Riyadh Boulevard, "New York City" vibes, VLCC, and every weekend — not nightclubs, but actual raves. Like three to six different rave events, every weekend.

— Really? Why does it happen?

— I think it mostly comes down to people’s daily routines. Take me, for example — I am a freelancer, so if I don't have a project during the day, I spend time with my family in the evening. Around 9 pm, we usually sit together and have coffee. After that, the night is mine. I head out around 10 or 11 pm and stay out until 3 or 4 am.

A lot of my friends are the same — creatives, freelancers — so we have all kind of adapted to this night schedule. And especially in the summer, it is just too hot to go out during the day. So over time, our lifestyle naturally shifted to nights. That is just how it is now — it is our rhythm.

Source: stevespencer.tv

— So if one of your foreign friends comes to Riyadh and says, “Osama, show me one place that reflects Saudi youth,” where do you take them?

— Honestly, there is not just one place anymore — Saudi youth are into everything. But here is what I usually do:

The Desert — First stop, I throw everyone into my car and hit the dunes at 120 km/h. Nothing like the raw energy of the desert to kick things off.

Underground Raves — After that adrenaline rush, we dive into Riyadh’s late-night music scene — warehouse parties, techno collectives, and real underground vibes. If you are not sure where to go, just check the updates from UNDRGRND KSA — they usually post everything you need to know.

Fashion Pop-ups — indie fashion events and local pop-ups. It is the best way to show how creative, expressive, and experimental this new generation really is.

Whatever you are into — music, fashion, thrill — you will find it here. That is the real Saudi today.

— What do you think is the biggest misconception foreigners still have about Saudi Arabia?

— A lot of people still assume we are behind — that we don't speak English or don't get the modern world. But that is just not true.

My friends who have come here to shoot were shocked. They said, “We didn't expect people to be so open, stylish, educated, creative.” And while sure, not everyone is fluent in English, most people speak enough to help and communicate.

And honestly? I have been to some European countries recently where I asked basic questions and didn’t even get a “yes” or “no” in return. So it isn't just about Saudi — in a lot of ways, we are doing better than people think.

And another thing — maybe my favorite — is that Saudi Arabia, despite its desert vibe, actually has cool, green places that look almost like jungles. As an example — Al Bahah!

— So you work in events, right? You probably know all the major happenings in Saudi. Can you name the events that are a must-visit by the end of the year?

For sure. First — Riyadh Season. It is honestly one of the best experiences in the country. And it is not just one event — it is like a whole city-wide festival, split into different zones. You have got music, fashion, food, art… it really feels like a city within a city.

Second — Soundstorm. It is one of the biggest music festivals in the GCC. Huge production, crazy energy, and they bring in some of the top DJs from around the world — even some of my dream DJs have played there. If you are into music, this is where you want to be.

We also have big stuff like MMA and football — though personally, I am not into either. A few years ago, I used to go to every music event, literally all of them. But now? Not so much. I prefer smaller, underground gigs — private events with close friends. I like to party with people I trust, people I actually enjoy being around.

Source: stevespencer.tv

by Barbara Yakimchuk