tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4356410300246870852024-03-13T22:14:22.692-07:00Sleepless in SalalahNaive observations. My thoughts in printRaniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-5654825838410650352010-07-17T05:05:00.000-07:002010-07-17T05:05:41.798-07:00Random Snapshots in Salalah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TEGSS20L0YI/AAAAAAAAANU/XGVjJtx41l8/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TEGSS20L0YI/AAAAAAAAANU/XGVjJtx41l8/s400/IMG_2430.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just before taking this photo, we saw a man lingering by the trash checking out this toilet. <strong>Good reminder</strong>; one persons s*** can be anothers treasure.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TEGSuvlJVAI/AAAAAAAAANk/JYIeFRMiY8g/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TEGSuvlJVAI/AAAAAAAAANk/JYIeFRMiY8g/s400/IMG_1217.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Want Pizza? Well, you can't get it from Burj <strong>Pizza</strong>. But if you need a table or couch to eat your pizza <em>ON</em>, go to Burj Pizza wth?.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TEGSl5cs-eI/AAAAAAAAANc/niaabjh_4Hc/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TEGSl5cs-eI/AAAAAAAAANc/niaabjh_4Hc/s400/IMG_1272.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah, I thought this was funny, so did the Indian guy working at Ramiz who gave me a sheepish smile and a wink when he saw me taking this photo, perve!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TEGS2amAHVI/AAAAAAAAANs/6m6ZBFPG0Mk/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TEGS2amAHVI/AAAAAAAAANs/6m6ZBFPG0Mk/s320/IMG_1216.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">No comment</div>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com81tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-53977425409053063792010-07-05T14:15:00.000-07:002010-07-05T14:18:29.355-07:00Picnics, Weddings and Football<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TDJLLrrD2kI/AAAAAAAAANM/sIWHhCYdNpM/s1600/IMG_1977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TDJLLrrD2kI/AAAAAAAAANM/sIWHhCYdNpM/s320/IMG_1977.JPG" /></a></div>I've been partying these past few weeks. Literally partying...watching football, meeting with friends, shopping, having picnics in the mountains and going to weddings. Salalah is covered in <strong>tents</strong> and <strong>fog</strong>. Everyone has decided Khareef is the best time to get married, its okay if its your first, or second or third marriage, its on! My neighbor just celebrated his 3rd wedding yesterday!!! His eldest daughter is 32 and his youngest child is 8 months old...gotta love Salalah. By the way, <a href="mailto:www.dhofarigucci@blogspot.com">Nadia</a> was not exaggerating when she likened Dhofari wedding makeup to Marilyn Manson, I couldn't think of a more accurate description, seriously. God help them! Really you people need to get over the white skin crap.<br />
<br />
It's picnic time here! Let the kite flying begin!!! Take a drive up into the mountains and people are having a blast! Thats one of the wonderful things about living in Salalah, the whole place is virtually a great picnic spot. You can park your car anywhere, set up a mat anywhere and picnic or BBQ in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature. <br />
<br />
With all <em>my</em> partying, Sam has been taking full advantage of the evenings. He gets together with his friends every thursday for a late evening BBQ in the Jebel that starts no earlier than 9:30 PM. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>BBQ Menu</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lamb Chops (an insane amount)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dew (enough to spark diabetes)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Khubz (pita bread, used to hold piping hot lamb chops and as a makshift napkin) </div><div style="text-align: center;">Watermelon (dessert? or to guarantee indigestion?)</div><br />
Sam comes home around 2AM smelling like cooked meat. He flosses the lamb out of his teeth and sleeps like a newborn baby...Khareef is good.<br />
<br />
When there's no BBQ in the mountains, there's Football. Most of Salalah is in mourning after Brazils loss, watching Ghana lose was agonizing and Germany-Argentia was just pathetic. <br />
<br />
I gotta say, there's just something about seeing grown men, with fantasic physics, and in such great shape, manly men I like to say, just crumble down on their knees to weep after losing....a game? I can't help but feel so sorry and I admit maybe Ive let a tear or two fall, not because of the actual loss, because after all, if I dare say, it is <em>just</em> a game, no instead the tears fall because somehow watching a man crumble does something to a woman, a mother, of course a couple diliberate blinks and eyes are dry, but that little lump in my throat always remains. <br />
<br />
I'd like to be a little more consistant with my blog, its been a little hard though...I'm taking full advantage of the cooler weather and I'm not even as eager as I was before about going back home after Ramadan<strong>.</strong>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-39561300253554879652010-06-22T14:33:00.000-07:002010-06-22T14:34:15.516-07:00Dhofari FIFAIt's true, everyone in Dhofar is too busy with <a href="http://www.fifa.com/"><strong>FIFA</strong></a> to do anything else but <strong>WATCH</strong> the games. <a href="mailto:www.dhofarigucci@blogspot.com"><span style="color: #38761d;">Nadia </span></a>and I have been watching on the big screens. Who are you rooting for?<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TCEqbcILonI/AAAAAAAAANE/wUHIMnwarDQ/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TCEqbcILonI/AAAAAAAAANE/wUHIMnwarDQ/s400/IMG_1974.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-8513253256706102302010-06-15T00:27:00.000-07:002010-06-15T00:27:39.589-07:00Chicken a la CarteThis is a reminder first to myself, and to my dear girlfriends who shared lunch with me at Browniz yesterday. <strong>Maybe we shouldn't have tossed that pizza afterall?</strong><br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNzY1ODYwODM3MjcmcHQ9MTI3NjU4NjA5MTQwNSZwPTI2ODg5MSZkPSZnPTEmbz1kZDRkOTdkNzIyMDA*NmY2OTdh/ZjNhOGZhNGExOGFkYSZvZj*w.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><br />
<div style="width: 400px;"><embed align="middle" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="video=http://cdn.cultureunplugged.com/lg/CHICKEN_ALA_CARTE.flv&m=1081&u=0&thumb=http://cdn.cultureunplugged.com/thumbnails/lg/1081.jpg&sURL=http://www.cultureunplugged.com&title=Chicken a la Carte&from=Ferdinand Dimadura" height="300" name="cultureUnpluggedPlayer" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" salign="b" src="http://www.cultureunplugged.com/swf/embedplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed><br />
<div style="margin-top: 5px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a%20la%20Carte" target="_blank">View this movie at cultureunplugged.com</a></div></div>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-85396332832423668162010-06-14T14:21:00.000-07:002010-06-14T14:21:45.738-07:00Random<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TBacndJVvbI/AAAAAAAAAM8/3r5tQy1eKmo/s1600/IMG_1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TBacndJVvbI/AAAAAAAAAM8/3r5tQy1eKmo/s320/IMG_1623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Total writers block. The days are moving quickly with little excitement or enthusiasm to write. Everything in Salalah seems drab. Khareef is creeping up, the Ocean is vicious, the sky grey, the clouds thick. Although it is so warm outside, the grey sky puts me into winter mode and so I've been craving soups (the blasted AC doesn't help). God I miss a little cold, what I'd do for a cold breeze!. I much prefer the indoors for now, until Khareef truly comes. I hate the feeling of my abaya being stuck to me from the unrelenting humidity and the stickiness under my burqa. Arghhh the burqa!<br />
<br />
Today I thought I could relax a bit on Haffa before sunset and enjoy the view, I never made it out of the car. The ocean has moved in so close there is barely any sand to sit on and the humidity is simply unbearable. Apparently the weather has not affected the men folk of Salalah, for they are all glued to the tv screens outside watching football. One of these days I'm gonna pull up a chair and watch the game too on that huge screen darn it!! Better yet, open my own little restaurant for WOMEN ONLY and play chick flicks on the big screen. <br />
<br />
The rumor lately is that another cyclone is coming...heading straight for Salalah? I haven't seen anything on the weather channel or news. I keep getting text messages to prepare for it, stock up on water etc. Why are people so paranoid?<br />
<br />
What else?....Oh, still trying to fit in a much needed trip back home. Things are "busy" at work for Sam, so I have to be patient, but my patience is wearing thin and I miss ma' Mama!. I'm thinking of doing a layover in France, I hear the weather in Paris is nice.Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-14165930651422955842010-06-09T03:10:00.000-07:002010-06-15T00:24:54.704-07:00Grand Mosque: They let me in!!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TA9oFUsrXWI/AAAAAAAAAMM/8Xyeg-kLel4/s1600/Women+in+Grand+Mosque111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/TA9oFUsrXWI/AAAAAAAAAMM/8Xyeg-kLel4/s200/Women+in+Grand+Mosque111.JPG" width="119" /></a>Yesterday, I took two friends with me to visit the Grand Mosque... and we were <strong>let in!! </strong>I couldn't tell you if it was because the guard was in a really good mood, or the fact that all burqas were stuffed in our purses, or that we were unmistakably non-Omani looking, but we got in people!!!. I wanted to do a cartwheel in the courtyard but thought better of it. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I still have mixed feelings though. Should I attempt next time to go with a group of Omani women, in burqa, and then see if we're let in? Maybe the last guard thought it was "ayb" for an Omani man to take his wife into the mens section of the Mosque? hmmmm.</div><br />
Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves. We had the whole Mosque to ourselves. I was especially touched when my non-Muslim friend Nathalie decided to bow down on the carpet trying to take in the whole experience of prayer. <br />
<br />
I think the chandelier in the men's section is pretty awesome!<br />
<br />
This is what happened the last time I tried to visit the <a href="http://sleeplessinsalalah.blogspot.com/2010/03/mosque-rules-please-leave-shoes-and.html">Grand Mosque</a>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-858664728998547292010-06-01T01:07:00.000-07:002010-06-01T01:08:38.421-07:00Pissed<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>So incredibly pissed.</strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22movie%22%20value=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/xFEBbDkyrqQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowFullScreen%22%20value=%22true%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowscriptaccess%22%20value=%22always%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cembed%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/xFEBbDkyrqQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20allowscriptaccess=%22always%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3C/embed%3E%3C/object%3E"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Israeli troops storm Gaza Flotilla</span></strong></a></div>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-31865927770379960922010-05-22T04:03:00.000-07:002010-05-24T02:44:38.405-07:00Obesity in Salalah...Contagious?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S_e5SnZHenI/AAAAAAAAAL0/B9VOALG9nnY/s1600/10fit-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="177" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S_e5SnZHenI/AAAAAAAAAL0/B9VOALG9nnY/s320/10fit-600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Okay, so maybe gaining weight is not contagious, like say, a cold. But it certainly has a way of creeping up on you, and then BAM you look in the mirror and you can't believe how you so subtly moved from the category of 'average' to...'chubby'? Like going from the sniffles to bed rest.<br />
<br />
I know taking the excuse of living in Salalah sounds like a cheap shot to some, but let me just say, it absolutely, undoubtedly, plays a <strike>major</strike> role in weight gain, for women AND men. Sam can attest to this, not to mention all those men with protruding bellies in Dishdash. Once your teenage football days are over, youre in for it too guys!<br />
<br />
It hit me last week, when Sam and I were invited to a friends house, he excitedly suggested I wear that one Abaya I got last year with the pretty pink embroidery. I gave him a sharp look. He was confused when I snapped and said "Very funny!" By the look on his face, I could tell he really<em> wasn't</em> being funny. "That one is tight on the arms now" I said, nearly whining. The whole night I kept thinking...oh my god, I can't fit in my Abaya, my ABAYA. I couldn't believe it. It's one thing not to be able to fit in your size 4 skinny jeans, but an Abaya? Geez, that's just crazy! The dress is a tent, or so I thought! I got so pissed at not being able to fit into that Abaya I grabbed a can of Dew, a bag of chips and hot sauce and wondered....where did I go wrong? =)<br />
<br />
Besides the fact that a lot of Omanis don't have the best eating habits, one can still make smart choices in the foods they choose even with the VERY limited products available. But what about exercise? Its no secret that exercise is essential to keeping a healthy, fit, trim body. Its what keeps that extra cookie or a can of Dew in check from making its way to your thighs or Abaya arms.<br />
<br />
But in Salalah your options for exercise are very limited, and moreso as a woman. Yes, gyms are <em>somewhat</em> available. If youre okay with using old equipment, no air conditioning and limited hours of operation, then you don't share my gripe. Earlier this week after lamenting on this weight gain, Sam and I took a walk down "airport road". I was determined to get myself moving. I walked as quickly as I could without looking like a freak, while slightly holding my dress up to avoid tripping. When I got home, I had an ugly heat rash around my neck and chest. You can't exercise in all those clothes! Duh. You have to dress appropriate for the occasion, and Abaya is just not appropriate for exercise!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I obviously don't want to work out in spandex and a tank top, of course not. But even if I <em>wanted</em> to work out, covered, in long pants, a long sleeve cotton shirt and sneakers on the "airport road" people would stare at me like I'm c.r.a.z.y. Women just don't move quickly around here, we dwaddle, and certainly don't dress like that. We're bound to get fat, contagious I tell you. Men can work out, run, do push ups etc, wearing whatever. I guess the most we can get out is, walking briskly...in the dark...in Abaya of course.Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-92006221221214950862010-05-18T23:35:00.000-07:002010-05-19T01:49:28.980-07:00ooVoo Blocked in Oman?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S_OGjyL9PDI/AAAAAAAAALI/pYx0FgAse7k/s1600/oovoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S_OGjyL9PDI/AAAAAAAAALI/pYx0FgAse7k/s320/oovoo.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
I had an appointment to talk to Mom last night via ooVoo, but its <strong>BLOCKED</strong>!!! Damn you Omantel!!! First Skype now this!!! Monopoly! Control Freaks! I want to talk to ma' Mama!Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-14514333545989083392010-05-17T04:06:00.000-07:002010-05-17T04:07:57.081-07:00This is how my morning started...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S_EifTMrOnI/AAAAAAAAALA/Y0r7W8KUmQg/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S_EifTMrOnI/AAAAAAAAALA/Y0r7W8KUmQg/s320/IMG_0962.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
Yesterday, a picture frame propped on a shelf right above the computer fell down leaving an ugly scratch on my computer screen. I was pretty peeved. My boy saw my agitation and asked me if the computer got an "ouch". I nodded, too annoyed to explain...<br />
<br />
Thank you my dear Son, for using your imagination, and yes you're right, it's big band-aid :)Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-37308612473035939582010-05-14T23:48:00.000-07:002010-05-24T02:46:13.701-07:00What's Up With...<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>This?</strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S-5CC_aTSoI/AAAAAAAAAK4/L0UCHNEhTW8/s1600/izaar+adjustment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S-5CC_aTSoI/AAAAAAAAAK4/L0UCHNEhTW8/s200/izaar+adjustment.JPG" width="150" wt="true" /></a></div>I've lost count of how many times I've seen this, because it happens nearly everyday. Dhofari men choose the strangest places to <em>adjust</em> their "underware". You could be waiting at an ATM, parked in front of a grocery store, at the beach, in a restaurant, or in this case in front of Center Point, and then all of a sudden, the dishdash goes up, a pull here, a fold there, a slight wiggle and you've just been semi flashed. Its no secret most men don't wear underware, so the thought of some random guy "fixing" himself is gross. <br />
<br />
Seriously guys you should be a little more subtle about it, choose a place where people are not likely to see you. The other day while sitting in the car I turned to my right and the guy parked next to us was between our car and his facing ME, fixing his izaar. Thank the Good Lord I didn't see anything, and only caught him pulling his disdash down. He probably assumed no one was in the car since our windows are totally tinted. But someone WAS in the car! and had I turned to my right a few seconds earlier......Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-59222975816378510252010-05-12T00:16:00.000-07:002010-05-12T00:16:13.290-07:00The Good LifeSo now that I’m stuck here, I have to make the best of my life right? I have to actually use my brain and be creative. It’s a tough world I tell ya’. Why do I need to be creative? Well, because I live in Salalah, where little is happening on the outside, where life revolves around repetition, and few women have a productive life. You have to either have a network in order to know what, if anything is going on behind closed doors OR you have to <em>create</em> a life for yourself. Otherwise, if you’re an expat like myself, you can choose to live a life of solitude or live in a little bubble of the same few people living a life as close to what you’re used to back home. Both suck. So how did you find that balance? Give me ideas.Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-25418906514568661852010-05-11T01:18:00.000-07:002010-05-11T01:19:48.915-07:00Yawn, Stretch....I'm Awake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S-kRfQnhX7I/AAAAAAAAAKo/eGWCsfKCanA/s1600/IMG_8695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S-kRfQnhX7I/AAAAAAAAAKo/eGWCsfKCanA/s320/IMG_8695.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Dear Friends,</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">I never intended for my blog to be about my very personal life or to use it as my daily diary so I decided to hibernate until things settled down at home. Things have settled...<em>somewhat</em>. Lots of different things happening at once. Just when you think you have a hold on life, something comes from left field and the whole game changes. A long while back, in one of my posts, I sought advice from you all asking when one should "just do it", you know take a challenge without really thinking too hard or getting too caught up in the details of it all, in other words, a risk. Well, I recently mustered the courage, attempted to do just that, take a risk. A good friend of mine offered me a opportunity I could hardly resist. I could get back into the workforce (more officially) and do what I love <strike>boss people around</strike> delegate. Even though I knew this meant a lot would have to be sacrificed and that a part of me was being selfish, I kept pushing for it. Well, things fell through, and I'm stuck here in Salalah. Not that thats an entirely bad thing, its just that I was looking forward to this opportunity. Sam has been a bit of a thorn in my back, reminding me of why we moved here in the first place and I should give it at least a 5 year go before venturing new ground, eh. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">So after countless sleepless nights, I think I'm okay with embracing the idea that I'll be here for the long run. Wish me strength and blessings. Oh, and wish for the coffee shop to hurry up and get built! That will make living here all the more worthwhile.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Rania</span>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-36677165192546895292010-05-02T00:38:00.000-07:002010-05-02T00:38:02.481-07:00Zzzzzz...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S90reXA8nLI/AAAAAAAAAKg/5jypNzgyoIE/s1600/bear+hibernating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S90reXA8nLI/AAAAAAAAAKg/5jypNzgyoIE/s200/bear+hibernating.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In hibernation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Will be back soon.</span></div>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-71172561991241972302010-04-25T02:29:00.000-07:002010-04-25T02:31:35.748-07:00Can't we all just get along...??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S9QK47KIMvI/AAAAAAAAAKY/MyyssNkVydc/s1600/Box+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S9QK47KIMvI/AAAAAAAAAKY/MyyssNkVydc/s320/Box+out.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
So I heard "through the grapevine" that last week a huge fight broke out between Dhofari and Northern students from one of the colleges (in Salalah) leaving one Northerner in the HOSPITAL. <br />
<br />
It all started with "seating" at a play. I guess a Northern student sat in the unmarked "Dhofari Only" section which led to an exchange of words. Later, a bunch of Northern guys decided to set the record straight and gathered a lil posse of a dozen strong. Well, little did they know that they would be matched and then some with 40 Dhofaris! Hello didn't they know that was coming?! Fight quickly escalated and left one guy in the hospital. These students are purportedly seniors, and the guy who is in the hospital is supposed to GRADUATE in a months time! So sad and immature. I truly hope the poor guy in the hospital gets out in time for graduation, IF he's even allowed to graduate.<br />
<br />
I'm told there is a lot of tension between Northerners and Dhofaris and that it is not uncommon for them to get into confrontations, even in class? I was naively under the impression that these kind of immature things happen in High Schools, not between graduating seniors in College!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">On a different note, I can't help but wonder....</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">What did the guys wear to fight? I can't imagine them in their nice Dishdashas and Kummas, that would be a little restrictive, no? Maybe the Dhofaris were prepared wearing Izar and a t-shirt?. But what about the Northerners hmmmm?.</span><br />
<br />
Has anyone else heard about this? Please share your thoughts and more info!<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-small;">*photo inspired by <a href="mailto:www.dhofarigucci@blogspot.com">Dhofari Gucci</a></span>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-81638787993981364672010-04-20T04:35:00.000-07:002010-04-20T04:35:23.149-07:00"Oh my God she went under my dress!!"Those were the last words uttered by Leah (my guest) while visiting the in-laws. I'm still laughing about it, because I remember saying the EXACT same thing when it happened to me. I took Leah to visit some of Sam's family so that she could get the whole "Dhofari cultural experience". She was treated with such hospitality and kindness that at one point she swore "she <em>should have</em> married an Omani", I told her not to get ahead of herself!<br />
<br />
Anyway, after a delicious Omani lunch (dinner to western standards), my sister-in-law brought out the infamous Bukhoor. It smelled amazing of course and Leah was curious about its history and what its used for yahda yahda yahda...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S81v8whnuMI/AAAAAAAAAKI/S2qt46-EVKo/s1600/Bakhoor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S81v8whnuMI/AAAAAAAAAKI/S2qt46-EVKo/s200/Bakhoor.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div>When my sister-in-law tells her to stand up, Leah looks at me for approval. I smile, knowing exactly what is about to happen. She stands shyly and my sister-in-law lifts up her make-shift abaya and puts the burner under her dress. I watch Leahs face change colors as the burner moves higher up her dress. As the smoke seeps through and while my sister-in-law is trying to tell Leah that she will smell so nice and that her husband will be all over her etc, I can't help but crack up just watching the look on Leah's face. Her cheeks turn all bright red and she is so flushed and embarrassed that I almost think she might cry. I tell my sister-in-law I think thats good enough and Leah sits down besides me and whispers "Oh my God she went under my dress" through a fake smile.<br />
<br />
For most people this is no big deal. But for Leah (and when it first happened to me), for some reason, putting something under our dress is... embarrassing? You just don't expect something like that, its strange. Now I am so used to it and welcome it. I laughed even more when Leah later shared with me she was wearing a thong that day and was afraid my sister-in-law would somehow figure that out. Don't worry Leah, your secret is safe with me (ha ha).<br />
<br />
As a parting gift I gave Leah enough Bukhoor to keep her non-Omani husband all over her for years to come!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What is Bakhoor?</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bakhoor (Arabic بخور) is the name given to scented woodchips (Oudh the Arabic name for Agarwood/Aloeswood) soaked in fragrant oils and mixed with other natural ingredients (resin, musk, sandalwood , essential oils and others) . These scented chips are burned in charcoal or incense burners to perfume the house and clothing with a rich thick smoke. It is nearly essential to use on special occasions like weddings or during Eid. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Bakhoor in Salalah</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In Salalah it is used daily to perfume the house and is said to have natural healing powers. Many Dhofaris make their own bukhoor and keep their secret recipes for family only. Each bukhoor formula has a different cleansing, healing or purifying effect. Although very effective, it is not just a way of masking bad smells, but a way to refresh your heart and mind. Many believe that it can even ward off bad spirits (jinn)!. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">During Ramadan in Salalah it is burned in the Mosques in hopes of altering ones mood by bringing peaceful, refreshing and inspiring feelings and to honor the holy month. It is also noted for its memory increasing power and is burned when reciting Qur'an. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It is traditional in Salalah and many Arab countries to pass bukhoor amongst the guests in the Majlis (Arabic مجلس, sitting/living room) this is done as a gesture of hospitality. Men will usually place their kumma or ammama (turban) over the smoke to get the fragrance and women put the smoke under their clothing until the smoke seeps through leaving a wonderful smell.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Heres a typical traditional recipe for homemade <em>Dhofari </em>bukhoor. Pound and mix ingredients, adding perfumes. Leave the blend for at least 10 days in a tightly sealed jar to ferment, then use.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">3 cups sandal oil</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 cup musk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 cup tola snails</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 cup oud oil</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>How to use Bukhoor</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1. You will need to get a hold of a Mabkhara (traditional incense burner), there are a few names for this. You can get an electric one as well, however I find the traditional ceramic ones to be better for burning the bakhoor slowly and more effectively. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">2. You will need charcoal which you can get virtually anywhere around here. Place a piece of charcoal on your stove and heat it until the edges burn red, do not leave it for two long. Transfer the burning charcoal into your incense burner (use tongs!!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">3. Then put enough bakhoor to sit on the charcoal and it should start smoking immediately and expel a nice fragrance. If it smells like burnt toast this means your charcoal was too hot and the bakhoor is burning too quickly</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">. You can perfume a room by closing the windows and leaving the Mabkhara there for a few minutes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">4. To perfume your clothing just place the cloth directly over the smoke and allow it to soak up the smoke for about 3 minutes. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Scent can certainly have a deep subconscious impact on a person. For me, bukhoor relaxes me and puts me into a tranquil subdued mood. It reminds me of my days in Medina. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #38761d;">My two cents: If you have allergies bukhoor is not for you as it takes up a lot of oxygen in a room. Burning bakhoor unattended is obviously very dangerous and Salalah is known for "unexplainable" fires. Please do not burn bakhoor too much around small children, although many argue its benefits are great, it is afterall smoke inhaled and deposited into your lungs</span>.</span>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-92044788593126639472010-04-20T03:55:00.000-07:002010-04-20T03:55:57.448-07:00It's coming...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S82HkMoamlI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/cIZ5Qk4srzA/s1600/rania+writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S82HkMoamlI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/cIZ5Qk4srzA/s200/rania+writing.jpg" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
I'm still working on my "Must See, Must Do in Salalah" post. Theres so much to share and putting it together is challenging! But in the meantime I am writing another post, it is a very true, very funny story thats turning into a little more....so hang in there JL!Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-54546752861615203122010-04-19T01:30:00.000-07:002010-04-19T01:30:03.418-07:00I'm still here but...I have a friend visiting and we have been taking her all around Dhofar and doing all the touristy things you <strong>must</strong> do when someone comes to visit. I've been having a wonderful time, just really tired and of course no time to write. She leaves tomorrow and I am already getting blue. I didn't realize how much I miss my friends back home. <br />
<br />
I've started a "Must See, Must Do in Salalah" post. Soon as things settle, I'll post.<br />
<br />
By the way, thank you for all those emails and comments about Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. Someone wrote a three page summary for me and I really enjoyed reading it, seems like Muscat really enjoyed their guest.<br />
<br />
Also theres a new blogger in Salalah, welcome Umm Ququ! Check it out <a href="http://sweetnessofsalalah.blogspot.com/">Sweet Salalah</a>.Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-45168942637772640462010-04-13T01:35:00.000-07:002010-04-13T01:49:11.898-07:00Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson in Muscat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S8Qv63g5hhI/AAAAAAAAAKA/HnhN8yuQWsI/s1600/SHY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S8Qv63g5hhI/AAAAAAAAAKA/HnhN8yuQWsI/s400/SHY.jpg" width="267" wt="true" /></a></div>If you're in Muscat, you shouldn't miss this!!!<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.zaytuna.org/teacherMore.asp?id=9"><strong>Shaykh HamzaYusuf Hanson</strong></a> will be speaking in Qurum Park and at the Grand Mosque Lecture Hall. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Details of Lectures:</strong></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Lecture No. 1: History and Impact of islam in Europe</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Wednesday 14th April, 2010 (08:15pm)</div>City Ampitheatre (Qurum Park)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>Lecture No.2: Others' Perception of Islam and Muslims</strong></span><br />
Thursday 15th April, 2010 (08:15pm)<br />
City Ampitheatre (Qurum Park)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>Lecture No.3: How Just is Islam to Followrs of Other Religions.</strong></span>.<br />
Friday 16th April, 2010 (08:15pm)<br />
Sultan Qaboos Grand Masjid Lecture Hall <a href="http://www.islamfact.com/files/iflibrary/Posters/SQMLocationMap.jpg">(heres a map) </a><br />
<br />
If anyone is able to attend I would be sooo grateful to hear your impressions.<br />
**It's on these occasions I wish I lived in Muscat.Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-62022378409602048812010-04-11T01:33:00.000-07:002010-04-13T03:27:44.357-07:00Thoughts on the Death of a Yemeni Child BrideI am speechless. I have so many questions that will <strong>never</strong> be answered and this story will be put up on the pile of other horrific stories about the exploitation of women universally. I haven't cried in a looong time, but after reading the details of this poor little girl's story I couldn't help but sob. You try to make sense of it all, you try to understand how things like this really happen, but in the end youre left with unanswered questions and sheer grief.<br />
<br />
Its almost unbelievable. It begins in Yemen (our backyard) with a young selfish man who wants to get married. He makes a deal with his friend; "I'll trade you my sister for your sister", the friend agrees and the young men are relieved to avoid dowry costs. Like cattle, a 13 year old child, Elham is traded, without consent, for another girl, and like cattle her future is the same. At this point I wonder...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Why didn't someone, <em>anyone</em> in her family try to stop the brother from marrying her off against her will</span><span style="color: #990000;">???</span> <span style="color: #990000;"> She was a mere 13, her to-be husband was a 23 year old man.Why didn't any family member attempt to protect her?</span><br />
<br />
No one stops the marriage and the little girl is sent off to her husbands home. She dies three days after the <strike>marriage </strike>trade. Her husband, or more appropriately, murderer was so keen on having sex with her that after several failed attempts to "do her", he went to the Drs. requesting tranquilizing drugs so that he could complete the deed without having the child resist him. The Dr. refused him. What a sick, disgusting, good for nothing dog of a man!!!! But doesn't that leave you to wonder...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Why <em>just</em> refuse him? Why not investigate the situation. What kind of man asks a Dr. for drugs in order to rape his wife? He should have been arrested on the spot!! Why didn't the Dr. help to protect Elham?</span><br />
<br />
So since he couldn't get his hands on tranquilizers, the scum decides to get a hold of <strong>performance enhancing pills, </strong>and that night rapes her to no end. He ties her up and rapes her until she is unconscious. <br />
He takes her back to the same clinic, this time carrying her because of course she can't walk. The admirable Dr. tells him that she has severe tears in her vagina and not to approach her for 10 days. <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>WHAT THE HELL?!!! </strong></span><span style="color: #990000;">A man brings in a CHILD, who is obviously violently raped and has suffered tremendously and your prescription is "give her a ten day break?" The Dr. should be locked up forever.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Elham's mother visits her later that day and finds her in and out of consciousness, Elham tells her mother that she was tied up and raped. Ehlams <strike>husband</strike> murderer tells the mother that Elham has been possessed by spirits and that he planned on taking her to a witch doctor that day. Of course, Elham never makes it, she dies shortly after. A forensic report later says that Elham suffered extensive damage to the vagina and rectum and was bleeding internally which led to her death. The report suggests that there was more damage from the first examination. Even after she couldn't walk and was bleeding, and he was told not to touch her for at least ten days, this animal goes for the kill, and rapes Elham some more.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">So just like that, a child is married off, brutally raped, and dead within three days. I can't begin to imagine what those three days were like. She must have been terrified of him, she probably wished someone would rescue her. Did she call on her mother? her brother who traded her? did she call on God? And when she could no longer muster the energy to scream, what thoughts swirled in her head? She probably tried to think of the happy moments in her life, even briefly or maybe she just wished for death so that the pain would cease. I can only wonder</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">After sobbing for Elham and thinking of my own children I vowed that I would never forget Elham in my prayers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Please check out: </strong></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><object height="270" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.newsy.com/videos/player.swf?related=http://www.newsy.com/api/get-featured-videos/10/&file=http://www.newsy.com/api/get-video/1711/&video_name="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" allowfullscreen="true"></param><embed src="http://www.newsy.com/videos/player.swf?related=http://www.newsy.com/api/get-featured-videos/10/&file=http://www.newsy.com/api/get-video/1711/&video_name=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="270"></embed></object></span><br />
Thank you Newsy Community Team for the video!Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-33214207897373673202010-04-10T01:35:00.000-07:002010-04-10T01:38:24.794-07:00Weekend Wonder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S8A2oHH6P-I/AAAAAAAAAJo/hfna6AokcHs/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S8A2oHH6P-I/AAAAAAAAAJo/hfna6AokcHs/s320/IMG_0712.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div>Has anyone noticed how pretty Salalah is looking these days? Indians are working hard planting pretty red flowers on the roundabouts and they are working tireless on putting up the new light posts. The lights in the back of the photo are soon to look like the one in the front. I heard a rumor that His Majesty may be coming for a visit, hence the decor?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S8A1FYDI_UI/AAAAAAAAAJg/oeQsn8kQkm0/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S8A1FYDI_UI/AAAAAAAAAJg/oeQsn8kQkm0/s200/IMG_0754.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was way too lazy<strike> smart</strike> to walk in the scorching heat for World Health Day last Wednesday. They should have thought more about our health and made the walk in the winter. Poor girls had to walk in their abayas and burqas, while most guys wore shorts and t-shirts. I was sweating just looking at them as I drove by in my air conditioned car. Then I saw this adorable little kid and thought, if he could do it dressed like <em>that </em>(in a yellow abaya) then I should take my lazy cheeks out the car and at least dwaddle like the rest of the girls. So I walked alittle. <strong>Note </strong>to the organizers: If you give out free t-shirts, you might want to have more than the "one size fits all". I guess they were thinking most Dhofaris are "big" anyway.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
How am I you ask? Busy as usual. I wish I had more time to write, more time to filter out. I have been reading the same novel for over 4 months now. I can barely get through 4 solid pages at night before I crash into a deep sleep. Once upon a time, I could finish a morbidly obese novel like Anna Karenina over a weekend. I could easily devour a chubby novel in 1 night. But these days, there’s simply no time. You would think living in slow paced world would give you more time, but somehow it seems the days are literaly bleeding into each other.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Good news for me: I will be going "home" for the summer!!! I can't wait! I've decided to do all the "touristy" things here in Salalah so that I can bring back lots of photos and tell great stories. I know my Mama worries about me being so far away in such a "strange" part of the world. It has been too long since I've seen my Mama smile. I miss my brothers and sisters and the rest of my family so much that I'm starting to ache. I have to keep reminding myself why we're here....why are we here again?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-85705897760476547112010-03-30T23:32:00.000-07:002010-03-30T23:32:34.294-07:00Shout out to fellow blogger Dhofari GucciDear <a href="http://dhofarigucci.blogspot.com/">Nadia</a>,<br />
<br />
In your coming post about female discrimination, could you please touch on...<br />
<ul><li>Female Circumcision (against the will of the mother for her daughter)</li>
<li>Men on Haffa beach (how they chilax on the corniche, sippin' tea, gossiping and smoking shisha. Not to mention that they stay out way too late leaving their wives and family at home, and some being served by scantily clad female waitresses. God forbid a local woman is seen, she'll just kill the whole mood).</li>
<li>No coffee shops for women, except at Browniz where the view is a graveyard.</li>
<li>Distain for female drivers and harassment on the road (speeding in front etc.)</li>
<li>The no Mosque entry for the five daily prayers (exception in Ramadan for the night prayer)</li>
<li>The misappropriation of polygamy. The effects on entire families and the their tribes.</li>
</ul><br />
Theres more but I need another cup of coffee. Good luck on the post!Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-8737949430281112712010-03-30T01:48:00.000-07:002010-03-30T02:16:30.082-07:00Mosque Rules: Please leave shoes and women at the door...thank you.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S7G5-hwS8_I/AAAAAAAAAJY/gjw5GW-HTbs/s1600/2597133975_64d63ce392_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S7G5-hwS8_I/AAAAAAAAAJY/gjw5GW-HTbs/s400/2597133975_64d63ce392_m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The intensity of my feelings have settled and I am now prepared to write about it…<br />
<br />
The beautiful Grand Mosque has been up for quite some time, since August of 09. For the grand opening, Sam was one of the first on sight to perform the Jumuah (Friday) prayer (lucky him). I have been wanting to go see it since its opening and finally committed to go for a visit. Visiting hours are from 8AM until 11AM, as indicated on the sign propped out in the front. In the last couple of years my hobby to visit and photograph Mosques around the world has intensified, and I planed to add Salalah’s Grand Mosque to my scrapbook.<br />
<br />
I load the offspring, snuggle my camera underneath the backseat, grab my to-go coffee mug and pop into the passengers seat. My adrenaline kicks in with the anticipation of walking into a vast open space decorated with elaborate details and intricate geometric shapes. <br />
<br />
We make it to the Mosque at 8:57. Kids still in tow, Sam goes to the men’s section to inform the guard that we would like to come in for a tour. I watch them from the car window, Sams hand motions to our car, and then as the guard speaks, Sam places his hands on his waist. I can already tell that he is carrying bad news before he approaches the car. Our conversation goes something like this<br />
<br />
<strong>Sam</strong>: “He said women aren’t allowed to visit the men’s section” (eyebrows raised)<br />
<br />
<strong>Me</strong>: “What? Whatdoyoumean?”<br />
<br />
<strong>Sam</strong>: “Women can’t go in there…”<br />
<br />
<strong>Me</strong>: “Did he tell you why not?" <br />
<br />
<strong>Sam</strong>: “No.."<br />
<br />
<strong>Me</strong>: “Is anyone inside? Are people praying?…. Why can‘t I go in?”<br />
<br />
<strong>Sam</strong>: “No, No, its completely empty, you just can’t go in, women aren‘t allowed in the men‘s section…."<br />
<br />
Steam literally shooting out of my Darth Vader ensemble. I flip my burqa up, inhale unfiltered air, wipe the steam from my beneath my eyes, and say, (bottom lip quivering) <br />
<br />
<strong>Me</strong>: “Are you freakin’ serious????! I can’t go in? (pause) cause’ I’m a woman??!”<br />
<br />
Sam knows I’m on the verge of an explosion, so he interrupts before my fuse blows.<br />
<br />
<strong>Sam:</strong> “Want me to take some photos for you, I can go in and take some shots for you…Ill do a good job this time?”<br />
<br />
<strong>Me</strong>: “No!, I don’t want<em> you</em> to take photos for me!!, Why can’t I go in myself? Is he afraid I’ll seduce him? Does he think ill make the place dirty by being in there? So you’re saying I can’t go in JUST because I’m a woman???!! But I’m covered from head to toe, and I only want to take photos???! This is such BS man, such BS!"<br />
<br />
Burqa gets flapped down again. I‘m so done with trying to figure out why.<br />
<br />
<strong>Sam</strong>: “Why don’t you at least check out the women’s side and take some photos of the outside too. I’ll take photos of men‘s side…come on…” he pleads.<br />
<br />
<strong>Me</strong>: No answer. Just more steam blowing out through the burqa.<br />
<br />
I get out the car, slam the door, take the offspring out and head to the men’s section. I pull out my camera and start snapping as many shots as I can. I am deliberate in my movement and obviously taking photos of the guard who I’ve decided to take out my rage. At the moment I don’t care if he is just the messenger or not, maybe its his rule, maybe its not. I don’t know, don’t care. The more shots I take the calmer I get. The surrounding area is very beautiful and I am able to capture some really nice shots. My nerves settle and I make my way to the Women’s section of the Mosque. The sign clearly says “no children“, I open the door and usher the offspring into the Mosque, yes defiantly. I hold my breath, the door opens and the room is….disappointing, nothing grand at all. Its small. Very little décor and the carpet is unimpressive, almost tacky. I take photos anyway, mostly of the kids running around in this cool, soft floored playground. We leave the Mosque, sit on the steps and admire the outside. I give Sam my camera to take photos of the inside of the “forbidden zone". Twenty minutes later, we are back in the car, heading home. I take a look at the photos he’s taken, not bad at all. My head is swirling though, with all kinds of ideas. <br />
<br />
I realize that my feelings aren’t just built on anger, but that I am hurt, disappointed and I feel discriminated against, yes discriminated against. Upon further reflection I see that the issue is so much more than not being able to enter and photograph the men’s section of the Mosque. It is this constant second-class citizen feeling that I get here, in Salalah. It takes on subtle forms, but the conscious, those who reflect, can clearly see through these subtleties. The Mosque was built for worship, I know, but anyone should be allowed in, to admire, ponder, maybe even supplicate, it was visiting hours for goodness sakes!. What should it matter whether you are male or female? To add insult to injury, the Mosque was EMPTY, not a man on sight (except the Indian care-takers and the oh so gracious guard). I am not a feminist, whatever that means. But I believe women should have equal opportunity as men. Separate but EQUAL is fine. I started thinking………. some more… <br />
<br />
Every day, nearly without fail, Sam goes to our local Mosque to pray…FIVE TIMES. As soon as the adhan (call to prayer) goes off, he drops whatever he is doing, starts getting ready and poof he’s gone. I’m left, with the offspring, either cooking, cleaning, changing a diaper, wiping a nose, scrubbing crayon off the floor, writing a post… and before you know it, the prayer time has gone out. Guess who missed out on praying on time? MOI. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy and seriously grateful that Sam is able to pray at the Mosque, it’s a blessing no doubt to live in a place where you can do that so easily. But, what about me?? How great would it be if I could just, throw on my Abaya, walk outside, bump into a neighbor along the way, and get that 10 minute high of praying in congregation, that peace of mind that comes with connecting to the Creator. Why am I not given that opportunity? The women’s section of the mosques are locked, inaccessible. It seems society has conveniently created a world of solitude for women. We come out only at night, when the moon casts its light upon us, leaving us to look like mere shadows. <br />
<br />
So we have been given permission to pass our time by shopping… at the few shops available; Thobe Alley, Abaya Street, Center Point and Max. Fine. I have thobes, I have Abayas, I have lingerie and I have my workout sweats. What's next? I want to go to the Mosque and pray <strong>whenever</strong> my heart is inclined, can someone please remind me why I can't?.Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-10063388309962763602010-03-27T01:12:00.000-07:002010-03-27T01:13:37.813-07:00Salalah NewsJust a quickie<br />
<br />
<ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S629yQOpuvI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/BsyXVBZZ_OQ/s1600/book+fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S629yQOpuvI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/BsyXVBZZ_OQ/s200/book+fair.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<li>Book Fair in Salalah is going on now! The Ministry of Heritage and Culture is hosting the annual Book Fair. They have a pretty impressive collection of books in Arabic <em>and</em> English. I was really surprised and grateful to find so many wonderful books right <strong>here</strong> in Salalah. The prices are fantastic too. If you have children don't miss out on grabing some great resources. The Book Fair will be on until April 10th I believe? Go check it out!</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Center Point is still having its 10 day "sale". Its the only place to really get shoes for little ones. I went last night and couldn't find parking. I waited nearly 15 minutes for someone to pull out and attempted to buy some shoes for the boys. A stampede of <strike>piou</strike>s women clad in black, nearly killed me. I got jumped maybe three times at the check-out counter, I walked out without the shoes. Don't go too late in the evening its a madhouse.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Max is having sale too. Parking is RIDICULOUS. People are parking on the highway, leaving their children waiting in the car. But during the day its totally desolate.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Ladies!! I hear a new gym opened up in Sa'ada. Word is that it is better than any other gym in town. There is a weight room, aerobics studio, a child-minding area where you can drop your tot while you sweat, a full spa, and a theatre! I was told that AVATAR was playing on the big screen! If anyone gets a look, please let me know. I might be tempted to drive out to Sa'ada and check it out myself.</li>
</ul><br />
Thats all for now folks. I'll be checking out the Grand Mosque for the first time tomorrow. I'm excited =)<br />
Happy First Day of the WeekRaniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435641030024687085.post-16680579598255199332010-03-26T12:32:00.000-07:002010-03-26T12:32:52.282-07:00Happy Jumuah (Friday)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S60LwbMrfhI/AAAAAAAAAJI/zlzb3ziBQPo/s1600/Friday+Prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v9t41GoKBAM/S60LwbMrfhI/AAAAAAAAAJI/zlzb3ziBQPo/s320/Friday+Prayer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Its Friday night, and as usual I’m awake, sleepless. Now that the day is near its end, and the house is still and quiet, my heart is slightly heavy, having to bid farewell to my favorite day of the week. Yes, despite the fact that tomorrow is the beginning of the week, Friday is my most treasured day.<br />
<br />
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said "The best day during which the sun has risen, is Friday. It is the Day Adam (peace be upon him) was created. It is the day when Adam (peace be upon him) entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the day of judgment takes place." <br />
<br />
See...?, lots of amazing things have/ and will take place on Friday.<br />
<br />
But on a smaller scale, Friday in Salalah has its own glory for those willing to see beyond the fact that its the end of the weekend and that things shut down too early in the afternoon.<br />
<br />
This morning I woke up to three, nearly simultaneous, text messages from friends wishing me and my family a blessed Jumuah (Friday). I rarely get to see these friends, but once a week without fail, I get a little message from them. Its a nice way to start the day. <br />
<br />
Sometimes you forget how life <em>used </em>to be when blessings replace hardships. Since being here, our family has finally had the opportunity to make Friday a sacred day. Back home, Sam struggled to get time off from work or used his lunch hour to go for the obligatory Jumuah (Friday) prayer and the kids spent the day like any other. <br />
<br />
Now, our Fridays always begin with a light breakfast, followed by some chaos getting ready to get out of the house on time and then some quiet time for me...(praise the Lawd!). Friday here, has given the guys an opportunity to really bond. Granted, they pray together all the time, but Friday is a day when the guys can enjoy quality time with their dad <em>and</em> the men of the community. Back home, the sense of community is so impersonal and men don’t really have the opportunity to take their sons to a gathering where nearly all the men of the society are expected to show up. <br />
<br />
I like watching them prepare themselves to go. Its only on Friday that the boys “perfume” themselves and wear ironed disdash's. Today, one little person asked me to brush his hair <em><strong>and</strong></em> part it to the side! I nearly burst with joy. I had to hold myself from squeezing him to bits and instead very casually replied “sure, no problem” while parting his hair to the right. Later his kumma would destroy the look, but I enjoyed it while it lasted.<br />
<br />
Once the boys are gone, I sit out on our terrace usually enjoying a second cup of coffee (like today) and <strike>spy </strike>street watch. Little boys and their fathers pile up in cars, neighbors walking to the Mosque are picked up and given a lift and through my eyes everyone seems...jovial?.<br />
<br />
Typically in Salalah, this day is reserved for families to get together and eat lunch or dinner with one another. We get together with Sam’s family and the kids enjoy the day with, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I end up getting a day off from cooking and have the pleasure of eating my favorite Omani dishes not made by me =) How do you spend your Fridays?Raniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483094587345952918noreply@blogger.com8