Over 10,000 residents call the DQ home. Meet Your Neighbor profiles interesting people in our international DQ Community. Learn about the diverse experience, interests, and backgrounds of DQ dwellers. Read on, and Meet Your Neighbor.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Jurgita Bartnykaite Abu Eleiz. I’m a mom, fashion designer, and baker. I moved to Riyadh three and a half years ago when my husband started working here and I’ve really enjoyed living in the Diplomatic Quarter since then.
Tell us a little about your bakery.
It’s a home-based bakery named Sweet Surrender. I decided to start it last year, a few weeks before leaving Riyadh for the summer holidays. I couldn’t stop after I had returned because I had so many people come to me with so many orders. All my sweets are tested and approved by my family and friends. I use superfoods, organic coconut, and freshly roasted nuts. I bake sweet pies, granola, cookies, and truffles. I bake traditional pies with raspberry or strawberry jams, date pies where I don’t use any refined sugar, crunchy coconut cookies, granola and the most popular is the chocolate lazy cake. All of these are made with lots of love and the highest quality ingredients. You can find Sweet Surrender on Ins- tagram and Facebook as sweetsurrender_jurgasweets or WhatsApp me for orders at +966 56 676 0921
What is a typical day like for you?
I start my day by dropping my children off at school in the early morning. On my way back home, I usually stop by the grocery store. After shopping, I usually meet my friends. We do morning picnics at least once a week in Yamama park, or we go for a ride around the DQ on our bicycles. After my children come home from school, we have lunch and head to Al Manahil Center to do their activities. I’m so proud of them. Once we return home, we complete any homework, have dinner and perform our evening rituals. After I put my children to sleep, I start baking – that’s how I make sure the sweets are always fresh.
What do you like most about the DQ?
I think what I like the most about the DQ is that I don’t have to wear an abaya here. I also love that we have so many walking trails and so much space for riding bikes. I love the beautiful parks, sports facilities, coffee shops, and restaurants. I really love this freedom!
What is something you wish the DQ had but currently doesn’t?
Well, the DQ has so much to offer but I hope that Paul will open a branch here in the DQ soon.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Riyadh?
My favorite place to visit in Riyadh is the DQ walking trail near my home. Also, my kids really enjoyed riding scooters in the Kindy square, it has the best flooring for scooters.
What are you looking forward to in the coming season?
I can’t wait to see the finished project in the Kindy Plaza.
Any recommendations for your DQ neighbors?
Enjoy the beautiful parks and walking trails here and please don’t litter.
