My grandfather was a barber and whenever we would go to the States, he would cut our hair. Grandpa was not a stylist, he was a barber, so we always had the same haircut no matter what. The Prince Valiant haircut. This haircut lasted for a good many years.
On our compound in Jeddah, we had many recreational centers (the Rec) that were pretty grand. They generally comprised of a pool, playground and at least 2 tennis courts. Some of the bigger ones had a basketball/volleyball court as well. The biggest one had two adult pools and one baby pool. The basketball/volleyball courts also served as a “roller rink” of sorts. It was a roller rink in the sense that we would go and roller skate there. Some of my favorite memories of my childhood are Roller Disco.
Every Wednesday night (which was our Friday. In Saudi, Saturday = Monday. Thursday and Friday were the weekend.) there was Roller Disco. Imagine a ton of kids ranging from 4 or 5 all the way up to 13 or 14 roller skating together. There was a boom box playing tunes and there was a family there that had a snow cone machine set up and you could get a snow cone for less than 5 SR (5 SR = $1.05 ish). There were also homemade suckers you could buy that were SO good.
Anyway, there would be free skate time, games and just a general good time to be had. If you got tired of skating, there was always the playground to run around on.
I don’t have pictures of Roller Disco, but I do have pictures of me skating around during the day in the place where Roller Disco was. I’m still uploading pictures, so hopefully I’ll come across some pictures from Roller Disco. I honestly don’t know if there are any.
And yes, I am wearing a Superman Underoos top tucked into red pants. In my defense, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t dressing myself at that time. Those are apartment buildings in the background. We lived in one of those buildings until I was in 2nd grade.
As you can see here, my mom is sporting the shorter version of the Prince Valiant haircut.
This is possibly my most favorite picture of my sister ever.
So, imagine tons of kids and some parents, it’s night time, there are flood lights that are similar to the kind you see at baseball fields lighting the Roller Disco, 80s music blaring and lots and lots of skating. Good times.
Superman Underoos tank tucked into red pants = AWESOME.
I would almost bet money that I was wearing the Superman Underoos underwear too.
Good to know, I suppose.
Awesome! Love it.
You look very 70′s disco with your red pants and underoos tank top. All you need is a boom box on your shoulder.
“You look very 70?s disco with your red pants and underoos tank top. All you need is a boom box on your shoulder.”
And a terry cloth headband and a white belt!
I whish they made underoos in grown up sizes…..I wonder if I could wear like a kids extra large?…..
OMG, look at how cute you two are! Roller skating was one of my favorite childhood pasttimes too. In fact, I think I had a similar pair of skates!
Underoos! Love it.
I’m pretty sure I wore Underoos to church once too.
You girls are painfully cute…but what’s really awesome are your mom’s SHOES!!! Dammit, I want some shoes just like those.
Please wear superman underoos to SAFF. You have 6 months to find, make or steal some. Thank you.
I loved roller disco!! I remember that they would have Roller Skating LIMBO contests!! I always sucked at that.
Awww…the Matthews made the BEST snow cones EVER!!!
You little rebel you….wearing your Underoos on the outside!!! Hee! Hee!
Great trip down memory lane. You remember skating down the big hill in the park before they put a fence across it?