MUSCAT, OMAN

MUSCAT (MUTRAH), OMAN   27 MAR 11

Similar to Dubai, 85% of the population of Oman is imported to work for the other 15%, mostly from India, Pakistan, Philippines and Indonesia.  A land of little color other than sand, blazing sun and smiling shopkeepers, all imports.  This was our second visit in four months, making it much easier for us to decide what to do.  What else??? Shop!!!!!  Mutrah has the finest of all the souks we’ve visited and we ended up making two trips there during the course of the day.

It takes 2.6 American dollars to buy 1 Omani Rial but prices are still relatively inexpensive and dollars are accepted by most shopkeepers and restaurants.  Foreigners are not allowed to drive taxis, busses or be tour guides, only Omani citizens may hold these positions.  Information about living conditions is therefore best obtained from the shopkeepers who tell it like it is.  Sultan Qaboos bin Said pays for everything including health care and there are no taxes.  His yacht sits regally in the harbor, a constant reminder (to me and I suppose to his subjects) of his outrageous wealth.  Said came to power in 1970 in a bloodless coup against his father.  He has no heirs and is aging, so the future of the country’s politics is a little murky.  With all that has been going on in the area, one may wonder if Oman is next but the people really seem at ease.

We really enjoy the souk here as it has items not seen in other areas; perfumes, spices, silver, gold, fabric and jewelry of a creative nature.  But I did find one thing here that blew my socks off!  While Gina was eyeballing some necklaces in one of the smaller shops, I happened to glance at a turquoise T-Shirt with mystical words written across the top.  As I paid more heed the name James Randi appeared on the lower part of the shirt, magically, as if he were there.  JAMES RANDI.  Magician, skeptic, educator, debunker of falsehoods and most of all, a friend!  The Amazing Randi, here in Oman???  Just the fact that someone manufactured this shirt (in China) is a testimony to Randi’s omnipresence.   I purchased the shirt for $10.00 and may have it framed.

Off to another Omani port, Salalah, home of frankincense.