There are days that totally take you by surprise. Not much may happen, but at the end of the day you feel fantastic. Today was similar. It was a busy day here in Muscat; I went to SQU to chip away some interviews, and there the day began. Sitting in the library, I was so nervous to approach the girls, all talking in their groups, why would they take the time to talk to me? I finally gathered enough guts to just sit down randomly at a table, and thank goodness, it worked out. I talked to one girl for an hour about my project. Jessica was talking to 2 other girls and once we were done, the girls took us to meet their friends. It so happens that today was graduation, so classes were cancelled in the afternoon.. and the library was closed. So we mosied down to the Women's Engineering Lab where we met handfuls of amazing women. They were so excited to help us out, they made sure they talked to each Jessica and me. We both received some stellar information! To add, they insisted on buying us lunch, showing us around campus, and taking us to their dorm room. As completely and amazingly generous they were, Jessica and I found it pretty funny since we just had a discussion about their opinions on the US... and it wasn't a shining report.
Afterwards, I met some girls at City Center for dinner. I met them at the Nizwa wedding, but since they live in Muscat, they decided to help me out with an interview... and for some fun time to hang out. The 3 sisters came along with their brother... and I had such a blast. The girls are so interesting- talk about strong women. And the brother is studying English so he can be a translator. Needless to say, he was very talkative. Again, Omani hospitality got the best of me, as they refused to let me pay... but I put up a good "Texan hospitality" fight. Every day I am amazed at the kindness here, and I will really miss hanging out with all my new friends. Oman is so far away- Now that there are only 11 days til my return, I've constantly had the discussion of whether I'll return. In my heart, I wish it to be so. But I know it is so difficult, financially, logistically, for us to visit each other. Its really a downer!
Showing posts with label Muscat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muscat. Show all posts
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
More Developments
Well, I've returned from Nizwa, and had a few days to do laundry and settle in Muscat. Coming back was difficult... the change in lifestyle and trying to get back into the original flow. The contrast between rural and metropolitan is so apparent. But, I have talked to my host family in Nizwa, and I am going to return for a week to stay with them and do some work for my independent project. (Which is rapidly approaching, eeeek!)
And now, I am in Doha, Qatar. The change is already such a culture shock. For the first time in 2 months, I've seen a skyscraper. And I don't have to cover... though we are all finding ourselves more comfortable if we do. Seeing tourists along side locals is quite a trip, but that is shocking in Oman too. I am able to walk down the busy street from the hotel to the internet cafe alone... something I definitely could not do in Nizwa, and is always a little awkward in Muscat.
Tomorrow we are going to Al-Jazeera to see a component of media in the Middle East... I cannot wait- what a special opportunity!
In shaa allah, in a week I will update you all on the trips planned for this week- more of Doha, Abu Dhabi, and the famed Dubai! The experiences SIT is providing is outstanding and the personal encounters I'm blessed to have are far beyond what I was anticipating. I already know that coming home will be a little stressful... the changes.. the misconceptions... the realization of things I learned and am learning here.... I already know this has changed many aspects of how I think about.... well... everything.
And now, I am in Doha, Qatar. The change is already such a culture shock. For the first time in 2 months, I've seen a skyscraper. And I don't have to cover... though we are all finding ourselves more comfortable if we do. Seeing tourists along side locals is quite a trip, but that is shocking in Oman too. I am able to walk down the busy street from the hotel to the internet cafe alone... something I definitely could not do in Nizwa, and is always a little awkward in Muscat.
Tomorrow we are going to Al-Jazeera to see a component of media in the Middle East... I cannot wait- what a special opportunity!
In shaa allah, in a week I will update you all on the trips planned for this week- more of Doha, Abu Dhabi, and the famed Dubai! The experiences SIT is providing is outstanding and the personal encounters I'm blessed to have are far beyond what I was anticipating. I already know that coming home will be a little stressful... the changes.. the misconceptions... the realization of things I learned and am learning here.... I already know this has changed many aspects of how I think about.... well... everything.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Okay, I'm sweaty
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow
Oman is so cool! But definitely not temperature wise- its almost 11 am here, and its so hot and humid. All kinds of sweaty- at least we have the shops and this internet cafe to stop in and relax in the air conditioning.
But lets start at the beginning....
I finally departed NY at JFK on Friday night on Emirates. Which is an amazing airline, hands down. The plane was huge and glamorous- twinkle star lights on the ceiling included. And was thoroughly entertained by the endless amounts of new release movies and tv shows on my own tv console! But I was still able to tear away from the Pirates 3 and Becoming Jane to sleep for a good 7ish hours. I amazed not only myself, but the group members next to me. Which, by the way, the group is amazing so far. An interesting mix and we are all so excited to be here. Stopping in Dubai was amazing, but difficult as in we couldn't go explore. Its an interesting mesh of people, and seemed less traditional than the Oman airport (where we were glad we changed into our more modest clothing before landing), over the top, and glistzy.
We arrived at midnight local time here in Muscat, so the impact of the heat and culture was somewhat hidden at first. We basically drove from the airport, unloaded our bags at the hotel- dragging them all up the 2 flights of stairs, showered, and collapsed. Got a few winks in before we all had to be up at 8 for breakfast and our first meeting. Breakfast wasn't anything too different- toast, eggs, tea, and Nescafe. But still good. Elizabeth, the program director, gave us some info and our mission this morning. Received my Oman cell phone and maps of all that sort. We are in the Mutrah section of Muscat, our hotel looking out over the Gulf of Oman. Our goal this morning is to explore the souk (or marketplace) here and buy a "mystery item" or under 5 rial to share with the group. You all know how much I love browsing the market! But to find the mystey item is seemingly more difficult (trying to not buy perfume or saffron, which are not so mystery) And our search for a working ATM has caused us to feel like we are walking through a sauna. Luckily we found an internet service "cafe" , which is another part of our goals, to stop and rest inside for an hour.
Its going to be a very full day- exploring on our own, meeting and talking about our experiences, and eating at one of the program directors' homes. Trying to pick up some Arabic; most everyone speaks English, but want to try-as its my purpose here anyway, right!? I can now at least say thank you!
And thus day one is almost half over, but the experience is but beginning!
Oman is so cool! But definitely not temperature wise- its almost 11 am here, and its so hot and humid. All kinds of sweaty- at least we have the shops and this internet cafe to stop in and relax in the air conditioning.
But lets start at the beginning....
I finally departed NY at JFK on Friday night on Emirates. Which is an amazing airline, hands down. The plane was huge and glamorous- twinkle star lights on the ceiling included. And was thoroughly entertained by the endless amounts of new release movies and tv shows on my own tv console! But I was still able to tear away from the Pirates 3 and Becoming Jane to sleep for a good 7ish hours. I amazed not only myself, but the group members next to me. Which, by the way, the group is amazing so far. An interesting mix and we are all so excited to be here. Stopping in Dubai was amazing, but difficult as in we couldn't go explore. Its an interesting mesh of people, and seemed less traditional than the Oman airport (where we were glad we changed into our more modest clothing before landing), over the top, and glistzy.
We arrived at midnight local time here in Muscat, so the impact of the heat and culture was somewhat hidden at first. We basically drove from the airport, unloaded our bags at the hotel- dragging them all up the 2 flights of stairs, showered, and collapsed. Got a few winks in before we all had to be up at 8 for breakfast and our first meeting. Breakfast wasn't anything too different- toast, eggs, tea, and Nescafe. But still good. Elizabeth, the program director, gave us some info and our mission this morning. Received my Oman cell phone and maps of all that sort. We are in the Mutrah section of Muscat, our hotel looking out over the Gulf of Oman. Our goal this morning is to explore the souk (or marketplace) here and buy a "mystery item" or under 5 rial to share with the group. You all know how much I love browsing the market! But to find the mystey item is seemingly more difficult (trying to not buy perfume or saffron, which are not so mystery) And our search for a working ATM has caused us to feel like we are walking through a sauna. Luckily we found an internet service "cafe" , which is another part of our goals, to stop and rest inside for an hour.
Its going to be a very full day- exploring on our own, meeting and talking about our experiences, and eating at one of the program directors' homes. Trying to pick up some Arabic; most everyone speaks English, but want to try-as its my purpose here anyway, right!? I can now at least say thank you!
And thus day one is almost half over, but the experience is but beginning!
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