Thursday, October 30, 2008

White Sand Holidays and faces from home

"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits".

- Satchel Paige (1906-1982)


Since we last updated our blog we have been busy spending our Eid holiday on the south-east coast of Oman, touring around a few friends from Canada and taking students on another trip to Cairo.

Here, and around the Muslim world, the end of Ramadan is marked by the Eid Al Fitr holiday. For us this means a five day holiday in which we could explore regions of the country we had yet to get to. This year we joined our friends Tom and Julie and headed down on a 6hour drive to an area famed for its coastline and fishing – Ras Madrakah.





We spent several days camping on the white sand beaches and Kayaking to the islands that lay close to shore. Crystal clear waters and massive, colourful fish made the paddling and swimming exceptional (including getting dumped from our boat – we didn’t need a dry lunch anyways).








Along the route we met several of the most open Bedu that we’ve met thus far. Fully covered ladies that initiated handshakes and exchanged small Eid gifts (Pepsi products). These small interactions are, strangely, very enjoyable and seem to make us feel closer to the country.






Soon after returning from the holidays our good friend Jacqui Moffatt and three of her friends joined us here for just under two weeks. They were great fun and ready to try anything. Tina enjoyed the sudden influx of female companionship while I found many new ways to express myself in mixed company.





With the girls in town we managed to spend a few days down the coast and in the interior, sleeping in the desert for a night. Luckily in the camp with us were the Omani Ministry of Sport on a weekend retreat. They had a music troupe brought in from the coast for entertainment and put on a party that they invited us to. It was ridiculous but great fun. All the girls even got up with them at 6am and did Yoga in the middle of the desert. Picture 40 out of shape Omani fellas struggling through Yoga in the sand. Brilliant.





Tina took the ladies through the interior as I took another group of students to Cairo for 5 days. In the interior the ladies were tempted to spend their hard earned money on such items as goats, camels and rifles. I fear that customs may confiscate a few purchases. The Cairo trip was great and our team won the regional volleyball tournament. Cairo is always crazy and with 3 trips in the past 7 months its beginning to feel like a second home. Ok, that last statement is a huge lie as I am still amazed by the crazy driving, the constant sell and unfinished buildings everywhere. Thankfully they have those pointy old buildings and that long River to make up for the craziness.



This weekend we are relaxing in Muscat before my parents come for a 5 day visit. We are extremely happy to have them in for a second visit. They are currently in East Africa travelling with Matt and Alisa for a few weeks. The day after my parents leave our friends from Vancouver, Kat and Brad, will be joining us for 2 weeks.





We are very thankful to be having so many guests this year and can’t wait to continue the trips around the Sultanate.