Having flown halfway around the world to get to Dubai on Monday night, you’d think the last thing I would want to do would be get on another plane only 12 hours later, but that’s the plan.  I actually never left my hotel in Dubai on arrival day.  Just a few beers, an attempt at sleep, and back to the airport, happily luggageless.

A 7am flight to take me from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Muscat in Oman.  When I said this trip could have some surprises Muscat was full of them.  English is widely spoken, and surprisingly you can find fast food chains, Ikea, and a really like-able, clean, safe, and friendly country.  Muscat was hot, and very humid but also a pleasure to come to see, but it is probably not what you might expect.

On arriving I was introduced to Hussain, he’s a taxi driver/tour guide, and he can give you as much assistance, or not, as you like, There was no real hard sell, he was just here to help.  He explained Omanis by nature just want to help, it was so refreshing, and not like what I see in either in USA or the UK, or at least not even close to how Oman does it.  He was true to his word.  I don’t know if this is the experience for every tourist, but it was for me.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque was down as a must-see, though I thought it was too far away. Hussain assured me it was not, and took me there, politely and respectfully showed me around.  In most countries seeing a significant cultural site would cost ten or twenty dollars, in Oman it was free.  The added piece was a closing meeting with polite ladies as you round out the mosque visit. The older lady I chatted to was delightful, telling me about her travel to Australia was where she learned English, and how happy she was to return home to Oman. Her role was to educate about the mosque and Islam, but she did it in such a charming way that you leave feeling more knowledgeable, and respectful of Islam.  Having tea and talking seemed such a pleasant way to round out a tourist visit. A wish for more time to share.
Cynics may claim it’s trying to convert people to Islam, but I was happy just to learn more, you could be cynical, but I prefer not to do so. She was genuine, kind and a pleasure to meet.

Afterwards, I headed to Muttrah, the seaside walking town of Muscat. It has a two mile corniche that meanders its way along the coast of this beautiful sea port and sets Oman off beautifully. There’s an absorbing labyrinth of narrow laden alleyways that keep you occupied as you meander around and wile away some time. I walked the two miles corniche from “Muscat Gate to Muscat Gate”. The corniche is quite a sight on a beautiful day, if a little hot as temperatures reach their Oman “usual”. Temperatures during the year range from a low of 70 in the winter to the high 90s in the summer. It was just a mere 91 today!

Staying in Oman is different, you have to accept and respect their cultural norms around religion, dress, and how you behave. The West could learn a thing or two.

As I took my last strolling steps in the back streets close to the port I came across a local Jadda (grandmother), I had seen no beggars, but as I walked by and smiled she asked in Arabic for money for food. I’ve learned that if someone is asking for money for food, then they probably need some money more than I do. I turned to hand her a few Rials and her face beamed a “Sukran” smile. I think I made her day….but she made mine too. I’ll remember that Omani smile.