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.

A Trying Day

Its almost been 1 month since I arrived in Oman...Today was a perfect example of some culture shock. Right on schedule, eh? Talk about feeling overwhelmed. Arabic today was quite trying.... we are starting to read more Arabic script, and today was full of worksheets all in Arabic. But the kicker... it was all in Standard Arabic and so far we've only learned colloquial Omani Arabic. GAH- Just when I started to get it, a nice curveball. The afternoon was a bit dull, with a professor from the water department of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to talk about water resources in Oman. Lots of numbers, blah. Got a hefty homework assignment from both my Arabic prof and our program director. Really, its not near as large as the normal SU load... but when I don't have privacy, quiet, or a desk to do any work.. it takes all my patience (and some good headphones with non-rap music) to do it all.

One plus of the reading (about field participation and notes for our research project approaching in November) was that it really got me out of my funk. Reading about the hardships of researchers in other exotic locations was reassuring that, yes, I can vent about these things. However, it did bring to life that I have a research project starting in November. Crud.

Took a break from working to break my fast (iftar)- had rolls, grapes, spring rolls, beans- all finger foods. Then tackled the pile of clothes I've allowed to form a huge mound in the corner of the room. Nervous about sending my clothes with the maid to the washer- I'm still missing 2 shirts from my first load from the first week I arrived. So.... a bucket will do! Lots of refilling the bucket, shimmy-shimmy in the water, rinsing, and taking up to the roof to hang on the line. Very cool view up there... the white of the houses (they aren't allowed to be much variation), the palm tree in the front of the house, and the bold moon. Looked like a postcard, a little hot, but nice to look out over the neighborhood.

Tried to introduce some music other than Snoop to my host brother. He was pretty unimpressed by country, acoustic, or... basically anything without a clubbin beat to it. Eh, I tried!

OH! And if any of you are ever planning on joining this 'different' country- bring your chocolate chips, baking soda, and measuring cups with you. I thought my list was rather simple when I went to Carrefour hypermart last night. They are impossible to find.

I could tell you about...

I could tell you more about the interesting foods I'm eating. I could tell you about my Arabic lessons some more. And I could talk to you about how I like my host family. But I'd rather tell you about something else. Something... a bit more comical.

It began when I turned around from the water cooler in the kitchen. Now, let me remind you, I've seen some strange stuff- traveling with Sister Cities- and living in Texas gives me some credit. But the next thing I saw when I turned around to face the inside of the kitchen.. was not my mother peeling the bananas for a dish she was making. Nor was it my sister serving up a plate for her niece. Nooo, noo... What I saw was a head... of a lamb... in a bucket... of the rest of the lamb... staring at me... hairless...

If anything could be labeled a culture shock... that was the moment. I'm pretty sure I stood there with my mouth wide open for a good minute or so. As my father kept throwing more pieces- but I was fixated.. a whole head... I mean, I'm talking eyes and teeth and tongue and all... in a huge bucket.. on the floor... in Oman.

But I couldnt just ignore the fact that a lamb head was there... especially when my father continued to discuss with the maid how to best remove the teeth and cook the whole thing.. I finally got the gumption to tell them I've never seen something like that before, especially just laying in front of me. They laughed that little laugh that people use when they know you are so naiive and told me that my mother cooks meals for the ministers that are then delivered for their big dinners (apparently I have the best biryani rice maker as my host mom!) and the lamb was for them. But all I could seriously think, was THANK god. I do not have to eat that thing, nor do I have to talk my way around Not eating it.