I can still smell the earthy woodsy scent of frankincense burning in the Muttrah souk. It is intoxicating but not in the drug induced state one might think. It is enveloping and becomes part of the atmosphere, part of the comfort we quickly found ourselves in once we settled into our time in Muscat, Oman.
Mom and Dad arrived a few days earlier to Kuwait. Everyone was tired, expecting arrival at 11:30 am and the actual time ending up only at 5:00 am. Fortunately, they were able to sleep before I booked them at the Hilton spa where I later met up with them. Russ and I just forged ahead at school. Russ met us later at the apartment where we ordered in Indian food and relaxed. Thursday was the start of Eid Al-Adha and our five day weekend. We spent the day walking the waterfront, going to an IMAX movie about the explorer Ibn Battuta, and visiting our school. Russ introduced my dad to the Mahboula barber across the street, and we later invited Justin and Sarah over for a salmon bbq.
Church was Friday morning and then we headed to the airport for the two hour flight to Muscat. We did not take into account how busy everything would be with the holiday. Our rental car was not waiting for us; instead of fighting the system we decided to just taxi everywhere, even if we had to give up on going to the wadis. Our hotel room was also given away, but that resulted in an upgrade. Just like in Africa, we just went with the flow.
Coming into Muscat was like arriving on another planet - blue skies, fresh air, and generally aesthetically pleasant, a change from dusty beige Kuwait. We spent the first day going into the Old City, making requisite stops at the Sultan's palace and Beit al-Zubair (historical museum). Then we came back to the hotel for lunch and a swim before walking the long length of a nearby beach.
Our days were long and relaxed, sleeping in, sitting by the pool, and playing cards in the evening. Russ and I went over for drinks at the Intercontinental Hotel across the street. It was a lovely time. Another morning was spent in the souk, shopping for small trinkets, essential oils, frankincense, and silver. A small microcosm of larger markets in the Middle East, this old souk was easy to navigate, a sort of Intro to Arab Shopping course.
We ate Lebanese food daily, which is our staple in Kuwait as well and drank freshly squeezed guava, avocado, and pomengranate juices. Mom brought dried apricots from Turkey. We always seem to eat well wherever we go.
We missed the morning tour of the Grand Mosque but walked around the outside. Quite spectacular.
Dad and Mom flew back to Kuwait with us Monday night but stayed in the lounge while we left. As Russ and I exited the customs area, we walked into a cascade of rose petals and confetti, which was intended for Hajj pilgrims returning from Mecca. We felt silly walking through a throng of well-wishers.
In the middle of our three-day week, we must get ready now to hand out candy to the little kids in the complex, of course saving a little for ourselves later on.
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