The faces of Oman

Just a few snapshots to highlight some of the faces of Oman. (Okay, so more like the backs of Oman - but I am annoyingly culturally sensitive and way too polite to take too many photos up close). This was my introduction to the real Middle East. I think life in Doha or the Emirates gives you a false sense of "arabia" with its glitz and glamour - Italian designers and American franchises stamped across the landscape. Once I recovered from the shock realisation that there was no cappaccino in sight and I was only going to have access to yellowy cardoman infused arabic coffee or overly sweet syrupy tea when the sun set, I savoured being somewhere that was free from fast food and franchising (along with most other conveniences of the modern world). The first thing you will hear expats say about Oman when they return is "wow, the Omani people actually do all the work themselves". They are considered the poorer cousins as although they have a little bit of oil they rely on other industries (such as dates :) and cannot afford to import people to do everything for them. This refreshingly means that the place has soul...and a rich heritage with pride in their traditional artisans - like beduoin basket weavers (from date palms), silver coffee pots, and jewellery using silver and the coral and pearls of the region, pashminas, earthenware... (As an aside: The photo of the girls and I was taken when we were waiting for Andrew exploring 1000 year old ruins. It was too steep for the girls and so these kind men, resting during the fast, offered us some space on their mat in the shade. We tried to talk using hand signals, broken English and Arabic and markings in the sand. In the heat I adjusted my hat and was politely told by the elder there to keep it on.)