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a nomad in the land of nizwa

~ an American English teacher in Oman

a nomad in the land of nizwa

Monthly Archives: May 2012

doctor fish

31 Thursday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Dr. Fish, Middle East, Muscat, Oman

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Life, Muscat, Oman

Thursday, May 31:  Today I was trying to kill time while waiting to meet a friend for lunch at Bareeq Al Shatti Mall’s Ubhar Restaurant.  I hadn’t had a pedicure in some time, so I popped in to Dr. Fish to let the fish nibble away the dead skin from my heels.  I have seen these kinds of things in Cambodia and Vietnam and Korea, where the fish therapy is cheaper than in Oman.  I paid 3 rials (nearly $8) for a 15 minute session with the little fish, who nibbled away to their hearts’ content.  I found that 15 minutes is not nearly long enough to get rid of all my dead skin.  They were just skimming the surface.  If I had done the 30 minutes for 5 rials, they would have had the feast of a lifetime!

welcome to Dr. Fish!

the Dr. Fish fish tank

the little therapy pools

colorful little fish feasting on feet

fish like slivers of colorful ribbon

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travel theme: street markets

30 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al-Dakhiliyah Region, Nizwa, Nizwa souq, Oman, Street Markets, Travel Theme Photo Challenge

≈ 30 Comments

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travel theme

Wednesday, May 30: Ailsa from Where’s my backpack? created a challenge this week on street markets.  She writes: There is something about a street market that makes everything look, smell and taste just a little bit better.

Here are some street market scenes from Oman.  I find these markets different from colorful markets in other parts of the world; the earth-toned offerings here are evocative of the desert.

into the street market at Nizwa souq

chests for sale at the market

jewel-colored lanterns…

interesting vegetables in Oman

pottery from the souq

incense burners at the souq

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a-z archive: v! challenge (vineyard)

29 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in A-Z Photo Challenge, Oman, Wadi MIstal, Wekan

≈ 10 Comments

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a-z photo challenge

Tuesday, May 29: This week’s topic for our A-Z ARCHIVE Tuesday’s photo challenge: the letter “V”: introduce one photo of your own archive with a “V” keyword for example VENICE (like FrizzText) or Vietnam, Vampire or Volkswagen, Virgins or Valencia, Vancouver or Videos, about veil duty or V-décolletages, Violence or Valparaiso, Vibraphones or Visitors, a pop song title with the first letter “V” (Valery, Amy Winehouse!) etc.

These are the closest things to vineyards I’ve seen in Oman.  They’re not like the typical vineyards we see in France or California; they’re basically just trellises full of grapes.  I also don’t think they make wine with these, as Muslims “don’t drink.”

vineyards Oman-style in the village of Wekan

vines of grapes on an arbor

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share your world: cee’s life questions (week #25)

28 Monday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Share Your World

≈ 4 Comments

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share your world

Monday, May 28: Here are Cee’s life questions for this week:

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

I love Thanksgiving in the USA.  It’s not too full of hype and stress, as Christmas always seems to be, and it’s wonderful to have family gathered around all day relaxing and enjoying a feast together.  My family lounges around and naps after the meal, and then we play games afterwards. I love all the traditional Thanksgiving foods, such as turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin & apple pie and, especially, green bean casserole!!

Do you prefer your food separated or mixed together?

I always like my food separated, and I usually eat one thing at a time.  Unless there is gravy involved; I love to mix that with everything!

Before making a phone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say?

Only if I know it’s going to be a difficult conversation.  Like a job interview or a potential conflict with someone. Or if I feel I need to speak up about something that really bothers me.  Other than that, I don’t rehearse.

When you are with your friends, do your interactions include much touching—for example, hugging, kissing, rough housing, rubbing backs?   Would you like to have more of this?

I’m sad to say I’m not a very touchy person.  If it’s someone I’m romantic with, I can be more touchy, holding hands and hugging, but with friends, I’m generally not this way.  I have to say I would like to have more of this, as long as it’s someone I really enjoy and care about.  I actually think I’m a quite difficult person to get close to….

Sometimes I can be touchy-feely, when I feel really comfortable with people. This is Johanna, me and Ryan: we spent 2 years together getting our Master’s degrees at George Mason University and did a study abroad program in Singapore & Thailand. Ryan and I also did a study abroad trip to Mexico. We went through a lot together so I feel close to them… 🙂

38.893151 -77.357877

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fanja: the souq and the walled village

28 Monday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al-Dakhiliyah Region, Fanja, Oman

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Oman, Travel

Monday, May 28:  After Mario and I leave Bidbid, we head to the pottery souq at Fanja, where we find unglazed pots, baskets, brooms, chests, gaudy fake flower arrangements in cellophane, dried fish & limes, incense burners, straw mats, tacky brightly colored ceramic animals and the goat fodder we saw the Bangladeshi boys harvesting in Bidbid.

pottery at the fanja souq

brooms for sale!

hanging pottery

fake flowers in cellophane!

goat fodder for sale??

After the souq, we take a walk up to the walled village and watchtower, perched high on a hilltop overlooking the modern town.  Towers galore dot the surrounding hills. We find a decaying mishmash of ruined mud brick buildings, along with some more modern and apparently inhabited buildings.

the walled ruins of Fanja

the view of modern Fanja from the ruins of old Fanja

through the ruins

windows on Fanja

the Sultan’s photo painted on one of the houses in the midst of the Fanja ruins

view of modern Fanja from the ruined hilltop

watchtowers on surrounding hilltops

the ruined ruins

We can’t believe how crazy we are walking around in these temperatures.  However, Mario comments that we are in fact doing it, so it must not be impossible.  Agreed!  Onward we go to Muscat, to share a drink along the humid coast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

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from bed bugs to bidbid: pests to rubbish ~ with a bit of paradise thrown in

28 Monday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al-Dakhiliyah Region, Bidbid, Bidbid Fort, Middle East, Oman

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Muscat, Oman, Travel

Monday, May 28:  Today, I have my flat exterminated for bed bugs!  I actually only saw one, I think, and haven’t really suffered bites, I don’t think… (I’m actually kind of oblivious to this kind of thing).  However, my upstairs neighbor David has them and because we’ve heard these pests can multiply and occupy entire apartment buildings, I opt to have my flat treated too.  The exterminator is scheduled to arrive at 8:30 a.m., at which time we will need to vacate our flats and stay out for about 8 hours.  I figure that will work out well as I can just go to work all day.

a surprise farm in Bidbid

However.  We get a call postponing the appointment to 11:00, insha’allah.  By the time the fumigator squad arrives at 11:30, they inform us that it will take 2 hours for each flat and they will do David’s first.  So I run to work to enter marks, the only real work requirement today, and then return home to have my flat treated at around 1:00.

little grids of crops

a bit of paradise in the desert

By the time they finish, there is really no point in going back to work.  But.  What will I do out of my flat for 8 hours?? It’s too hot to be outdoors exploring and walking around in 108 degree heat.  Still.  There must be something to do!  Mario and I decide to take a little trip to Muscat, with the plan of stopping to explore Bidbid and Fanja on the way, and ending up at one of the nice hotels in Muscat to have a drink.  One of my goals while in Oman is to visit each of the fancy hotels for a drink (I can’t eat at these hotels because they are too darn expensive!).  We opt to aim for the Crowne Plaza at Qurum Beach.

Bidbid farm

We get on the road and take the exit for Bidbid, looking for what The Rough Guide to Oman bills as the “quaint fort (not open to the public).” We drive around and around the little village of Bidbid, frustrated by the lack of signs.  We ask a couple of people along the way, who make hand motions telling us to turn right at the school.

one of the Bangladeshi workers harvesting on the farm

a happy Bangladeshi in the field

Sometimes getting lost leads you to surprising little treasures.  We come across some farms, planted with various crops including some kind of fodder for goats, lime and lemon trees, eggplant, corn, and sorghum, among other things.  There are several Bangladeshis working diligently in the fields, cutting the goat fodder plants, which have lovely purple flowers on them.  It’s quite idyllic and lovely.  The Bangladeshi workers seem quite pleased to see some foreigners wander into their fields with cameras in hand.

fields of dreams

The farms are laid out nicely in grids, with square patches of the delicate purple flowers against a backdrop of date palms and brown mountains. I love finding these little paradise-like places in Oman.  There is so much brown and desert here, that when I find an area of greenery, I want to drink it up like a bee does nectar. Despite the temperature being about 43 degrees Celsius (110 F), we walk around in the fields, stopping to admire the hard work of the Bangladeshis and to take their pictures.

“I farm! I farm!”

Everywhere are piles of colorful old clothes, which are used to re-route the water in the irrigation ditches.  Butterflies and birds abound.  Cicadas are trilling in high-pitched desperation.  Sweat is pouring off of us, but what is there to do?  We let it drip. We walk and take pictures and enjoy the hot, but fresh, air.

limes

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver. ~ Martin Luther

One Bangladeshi boy beckons us to follow him. He keeps saying “I farm!” and he waves us.  “I farm! I farm!”  Of course it’s not his farm; it would have to be an Omani’s farm and he is the laborer.  He tends the farm.  He leads us back to his part of the farm, punctuated with lime trees and eggplant and sorghum.  Further back he has some goats and sheep and chickens in a pen.  He loves letting us take his picture.  It’s obvious he’s proud of his little corner of the world, a world he tends with utmost care.

the farmer plays with his goats

We finally leave the farm and walk, drenched in sweat, back to the car, where we get in and turn on the air-conditioner full blast.  Determined to find the fort, we continue on past the school.  Finally we find it in the little village, with a large falaj running along one side of it.  The village children are swimming in the falaj and look happy to be cooled by the water.

village children in Bidbid

Now, here’s what The Rough Guide to Oman says about Bidbid Fort: “This is one of the prettiest small castles in the country: a rustic little structure, built with mudbrick walls on a stone base, with windows and rifle-slits cut lopsidedly out of the adobe, half-hearted little rounded battlements above and a large watchtower perched on a small rock outcrop beside. Unusually, the walls have been left unplastered following restoration, so you can see the pebbles and bits of straw mixed in to strengthen the mudbrick, adding to its rather homespun charm.  A swiftly flowing falaj, in which villagers are wont to do their washing, runs around one side of the fort.”

the fabulous Bidbid Castle

Sounds lovely, right?  Wrong!  It COULD be lovely, but it isn’t because of the horrible surroundings.  There is so much trash and squalor surrounding the fort, that I find it simply disgusting.  I don’t understand why, if Oman is serious about tourism, the government doesn’t clean up these tourist sites.  Education is key, but apparently there isn’t a will behind it.  Everywhere I go in Oman, trash is strewn everywhere.  Especially in the wadis, where people go on picnics and leave all their rubbish behind them, marking their trail like Hansel and Gretel.  It’s only when I get way off the beaten path, deep into the wadis where the Omanis won’t venture on picnics, that you can find a pristine environment.

Bidbid Fort, it was hard to take a picture without rubbish in it…

I don’t know why the government doesn’t create a huge campaign to stop littering.  I remember we had this problem back in the USA in the 1970s.  The government went on a huge anti-litter campaign, creating and enforcing laws.  Public service announcements were rampant.  As idealistic high school students, we jumped on the anti-litter bandwagon and never considered leaving a piece of garbage anywhere. I remember my friend Rosie was really determined to stop the litter problem.  Many times as we drove down the roads in Virginia, we would see someone toss a piece of trash out his window.  Rosie got so angry she would insist on following the person and yelling at them to stop littering!! I had to admire her enthusiasm and dedication to solving the problem. 🙂

dates drying in the sun

Of course there are plenty of uneducated rednecks in the USA who still litter and live their lives surrounded by rubbish.  It infuriates me to see this anywhere in the world.   Oman is actually cleaner than most, though, so I do have to give the country some credit.  Actually the countries I have found with the biggest rubbish problems are India, Vietnam and Egypt, in that order. But since Oman is trying to establish an upscale tourism infrastructure, it would behoove them to get this trash problem resolved.

parting shot of Bidbid Fort

Irritated by the trashy surrounds, we leave the fort and head to our next destination of Fanja, which is next door to Bidbid.  I really hope Omanis start having some respect for their own country and become invested in cleaning up their rubbish.

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the university of nizwa: foundation institute

27 Sunday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Foundation Institute, Middle East, Nizwa, Oman, University of Nizwa

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

Nizwa, Oman, University of Nizwa

Sunday, May 27:  I’ve been an English Language Lecturer at the Foundation Institute of the University of Nizwa for two semesters.  A lot of readers have written to me because either they have applied for a job, or are considering applying, at the university.   They want information, and I can’t say I blame them.  Before I came here I was desperate for information, as is anyone who is thinking of moving to and working in a foreign country.  When I got a job offer, I just decided to dive in and take a gamble, despite having little to no information.  I had a desire to work in the Middle East for various reasons and I figured this would be as good a place as any.  Besides, one of my State Department friends told me that Oman is the most desirable post in the Middle East for foreign service officers, so it seemed like a dream come true.

the entrance to the University of Nizwa

I’m generally hesitant to answer questions from potential job applicants because this is my place of employment and I try to limit my posts about my job here.  As you can imagine, I don’t want to jeopardize my job by putting into print every little thing I think about the environment here.

welcome to the university!

I hope people will not be offended if I choose not to answer their messages and questions about the university.  My blog is meant to be a creative outlet for me.  I like to focus on my travels and photography and mostly amusing or interesting anecdotes about my experience in Oman.  So, I would like to request that readers who are interested in applying here, or have already accepted a job here, please read my posts on the university (see the menu at the top of my page).  Other than that, I hope my dear readers will understand if I don’t respond to any further messages regarding work at the university.

my office, shared with two other people

That being said, there are several more appropriate forums to find out information.  Most ESL teachers already know that there is an international job forum on Dave’s ESL Cafe where you can post questions and get answers.  Also, I have a friend who started a website for Expats in Oman: Omani – Expats’ Portal.  Though this website is relatively new, I still suggest that you post your questions there in hopes of getting answers from other like-minded expats.

walkways on the university campus

On Dave’s ESL Cafe there are some very negative and bitter posts; there are also some positive posts. There is probably some truth to both the positives and negatives.  Just keep in mind the source.  Since Dave’s ESL Cafe is anonymous, anyone at all can post without giving any information about themselves.  It is impossible to know whether the person who posted is rightfully bitter about the university itself or is just a bitter person to begin with.  Anyone who has a grudge against the university for whatever reason can post.  If a person posts a lot of negative things about every place he has worked, for instance, that person may just be an angry person in general.  We don’t know.  So, I advise that readers should take everything they read with a big grain of salt.

wall painting on one of the university walls

Here’s what I have to add.  Each culture has its challenges.  Everyone who has ever worked abroad knows this.  Some cultures are worse, some better, than others. People take to  cultures differently.  For example, I worked in Korea for a year, but no matter how much I tried to love it, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.  Many other teachers absolutely loved it and have ended up staying for years.

walkways at the university

As for workplaces: I’ve worked for excellent and horrible companies all over, including in the USA.  The horrible workplaces are filled with negativity, infighting, low morale and high turnover. The excellent ones offer a positive, encouraging, inclusive and welcoming environment. Some workplace environments are simply better, or worse, than others. I think if you are a generally positive person who is resilient and flexible,  you will be okay here.  If not, you might be better off elsewhere.  I enjoy my life in Oman and I try hard to make the best of the situation.  I try to always remember why I’m here: to save money, to travel around the region, and to get more teaching and cultural experience.  I love being with my students, despite the general challenges found anywhere in the Gulf.

the Human Resources hallway

Here are some specific questions people have asked me, along with my answers:
How is the commute?
It takes me about 30 minutes to drive from my house, but it all depends on where you live and your transport situation.

a painting in the hallway

I’ve heard there is a bus that takes the teachers to and for the university.  How long is the trip?
There is and again, it depends where you live.  It’s pretty cheap transport; the university takes 10 rials out of your paycheck each month.

more covered walkways on the campus

Do you find it OK to be in the uni all day?
Yes, I’m especially happy when dealing with my students and direct teaching.
Does the uni provide sufficient materials for teaching?
Yes.  No working technology, but enough materials.

inside one hallway at the Foundation Institute

What are the negatives of working for Nizwa?  Positives?
See Dave’s ESL cafe.  I’m sorry, I can’t get into these myself.  Just read with an open mind and weigh what you read carefully.  You know yourself and what you can handle.
What’s the accommodation like?
My flat is wonderful.  You can see it in my blog, Home Sweet Home in the Abu Nooh Building.  It is a university flat so I pay nothing.  When the university provides the flat it comes furnished with basic stuff: TV, sofa and chairs, coffee table, king-size bed, desk, armoire, kitchen table & chairs.  You can get your own flat (I think the allowance is 175 rials, but I’m not sure) but remember under those circumstances, you must buy your own furniture.  This could be quite expensive.  In an earlier post, my first floor “villa” behind the shoe store, you can see the villa the university gave me early on; it had its own charm but it was, in essence, a real dive.  Slowly but surely I worked on them to get a new place.  Other people have done the same.  Just be aware when you first arrive, they are overwhelmed with new teachers, and have to stick people wherever, just to get them situated.  Later you can work with them to change your housing.

Building 13

Any social life?
Depends how outgoing you are.  But yes, there are lots of opportunities.
How many teachers?
Over 100??  Sorry, I’m really not sure of the number.
Many single older women?
Yes, lots!

covered parking ~ we need it in this heat!

Your blog gives the impression that you are very much enjoying life in Oman.
I am!!
I’d be interested in any downside so I can get a clear picture.
Please see Dave’s ESL Cafe.  You’ll have to make your own decision.  I hope you can understand I cannot go down that road.

basil on the university grounds

Overall, I try to be positive and try to get the most out of this  experience.  If you’re the same kind of person, you should be fine.  You create your life how you want it.  By the way, I AM renewing my contract for another year.  So, obviously I see more positives than negatives.
Good luck to all of you out there who are looking to come to the university.  Hope to see you here!

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sunday post: door

27 Sunday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al Hamra, Al-Batinah Region, Al-Dakhiliyah Region, Jakesprinter, Nizwa, Nizwa souq, Oman, Sunday Post, Wadi MIstal, Wekan

≈ 34 Comments

Tags

Sunday Post

Sunday, May 27: Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post challenge is Door.  He writes:  A door is a movable structure used to open and close off an entrance, typically consisting of a panel that swings on hinges or that slides or rotates inside a space.

When open, doors admit ventilation and light. The door is used to control the physical atmosphere within a space by enclosing the air drafts, so that interiors may be more effectively heated or cooled. Doors are significant in preventing the spread of fire. They also act as a barrier to noise.

Oman has interesting doors everywhere. Some are painted metal and some are intricately carved wooden doors.  I must have a real fascination with them because I have quite a huge collection of pictures.  Here are a few of my favorites:

This one is from Nizwa souq.

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. ~ Alexander Graham Bell

Here’s one from the village of Wekan at Wadi Mistal.

God enters by a private door into every individual. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here’s another door from the ruins at Al Hamra.

Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door. ~ Emily Dickinson

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counting hours and minutes till august

26 Saturday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Six Word Saturday

≈ 19 Comments

Saturday, May 26: Today is SIX WORD SATURDAY and this is all I have to say for today:

COUNTING HOURS AND MINUTES TILL AUGUST

That’s it.  I’ll leave it at that.

38.893151 -77.357877

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weekly photo challenge: summer

25 Friday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al Musanaah, Al-Batinah Region, Muscat, Oman, Oman Dive Center, postaweek2012, Qurum Beach, Weekly Photo Challenge

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

postaweek2012, weekly photo challenge

Friday, May 25: This week’s photo challenge is Summer. Where you live, summer might be arriving soon, or (if you’re in the southern hemisphere), a fleeting memory. But what signifies summer to you?

Here are a few pictures that evoke summer in Oman.

seashells at al Musanaah beach

some fishing boats at Qurum Beach in Muscat

the beach at the Oman Dive Center

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    • Musandam
    • Muscat
    • Sharqiya Region
  • University of Nizwa
  • Africa
    • african meanderings {& musings}
  • Americas
    • nomad, interrupted: catbird in the united states of america
    • notes from north america
    • United States of America
      • Virginia
  • Asia
    • catbird in china
    • catbird in korea
    • catbird in kyoto
    • catbird in south asia
    • catbird in turkey
    • ride paddies and papayas
  • Europe
    • greek wanderings
    • in search of a thousand cafés
  • Middle East
    • a jaunt to jordan
    • catbird in cairo
    • United Arab Emirates
      • Abu Dhabi
  • photography
    • Sunday Post
    • Travel Theme Photo Challenge
    • Weekly Photo Challenge
    • whatever a moon has always meant
  • Fiction
    • land of make-believe

what happens when…

May 2012
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Blogs I Follow

Blog of the Year 2012

Kreativ Blogger Award

Genuine Blogger Award

Ligo Circle of Appreciation

Shine On Award

Oman Blogs

  • Adventures of an American ESL Instructor Teaching at an Omani University
  • Andy in Oman
  • Angry in Oman
  • Bethany Duffield
  • Desperate Housewife in Oman
  • Dhofari Gucci
  • English Girl in Oman
  • Hallucinations of a Kitten
  • How to live like an Omani Princess
  • Hunting the Lost Insurgency: Oman
  • Matthew Heines
  • Misadventures in HR
  • Mumoftheanimals's Blog
  • Muscat Confidential
  • Muscat Jet Driver
  • Muscat Mutterings
  • Oh Man…Oman is really nice!
  • Omani Book Mania
  • Omani Cuisine
  • Rural Route Runner
  • Samir's Home
  • Secret Salalah
  • Sleepless in Salalah
  • Sultanate Social
  • Susan Al Shahri
  • The Linoleum Surfer

Oman Information

  • Albahja Cinema
  • Background Note Oman: U.S. State Department
  • Bait Muzna Gallery
  • BBC News: Oman Country Profile
  • CIA World Factbook ~ Oman
  • City Cinema Shatti
  • Destination Oman
  • Embassy of the United States – Muscat, Oman
  • Lonely Planet Oman
  • Ministry of Information: Sultanate of Oman
  • Oman Daily Observer
  • Royal Opera House Muscat
  • Sultanate of Oman Tourism
  • Sultanate of Oman: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Travel Blogs

  • Dan & Jillian's International Teaching Adventures
  • Dude Travels to Go
  • The Cool Hunter: amazing places to experience around the globe
  • The Traveling Gypsy
  • Wildcard Travels

X-terraneous Stuff

  • CIA World Factbook ~ South Korea
  • Dawn King
  • Let me bite that.
  • Life in the Bogs
  • reinventing the event horizon

my photostream on flickr

Sunny but only 20 degrees today!uploaduploaduploadTaking a walk through the neighborhood#whpsentbymailNext door to port royal post officeNext store in port royalupload
More Photos

Goodreads

Top Posts & Pages

  • "ladies tailoring" ~ killing time at al bustan roundabout & a walk around al riyam park
  • bahla: the sultan qaboos mosque, bahla fort & old bahla
  • the nizwa cemetery
  • the dilemma of the feet in oman
  • the road to jebel harim: petroglyphs, mountain views & graveyards
  • abu dhabi heritage village, the marina mall and marina
  • a morning walk through al hamra & misfat al abriyyen

InterNations

Weekly Photo Challenge

PostaWeek2012

share your world

a-z photo challenge

52 Pick Up

Sunday Post

Six Word Saturday

No Comfort Zone Challenge

I pledge to read the Printed Word

things i write about

"Happiness" 52 Pick Up 2012 A-Z Photo Challenge Abu Dhabi Abu Nooh Building Africa Akrotírion Al-Areesh Camp Al-Batinah Region Al-Dakhiliyah Region Al-Dhahirah Region Al Aqr Al Ayn Al Hamra Al Musanaah Americas Asia As Sifah Beach Athens Bahla Balad Sayt Birkat Al Mouz Cambodia Cappadocia Crete Daegu Ethiopia Europe Falaj Daris Hotel Family Foundation Institute Friday Meditation Geoje-si GMC Terrain Greece India Intercontinental Hotel Jakesprinter Japan Jebel Akhdar Jebel Shams Jordan Kyoto Lake Langano Lalibela Life Matthieu Ricard Middle East misfat al abriyyin Musandam Muscat Muttrah Muttrah Souq Nakhal Fort Nepal Nizwa Nizwa souq Oia Oman Oman Dive Center Phnom Penh Photography Challenges Pokhara postaweek2012 postaweek2013 Rethymno Royal Opera House Sahab Hotel Saiq Plateau Salalah Santorini Seoul Share Your World Sharqiya Region Sharqiya Sands Six Word Saturday South Korea Spirituality Suncheon Bay Sunday Post Travel Travel Theme Photo Challenge Turkey United Arab Emirates United States of America University of Nizwa Virginia Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Bani Habib Wadi Bani Khalid Wadi Damm Wadi MIstal Wadi Muaydin Wadi Shab Wadi Tiwi Wednesday Song Title Interpretation Weekly Photo Challenge Wekan Western Hajar Mountains

oh say can you see?

Free counters!

Tag Cloud

#capturethecolour 7 Super Shots 52 Pick Up @travelsupermkt a-z photo challenge Abu Dhabi Al Amerat Architecture Art Balad Sayt Birthdays Blogging books Bucket List CBBH Photo Challenge Christmas Daydream Saturdays DPchallenge Egypt Empty Quarter Ethiopia GMC Terrain Greece Hyundai Sonata Ibri InterNations Japan Jebel Akhdar Jebel Shams karma's photography scavenger hunt Life middle east Misfat Al Abriyyin Muscat Nepal Nizwa Nizwa Souq No Comfort Zone Challenge Oman Omar Khairat Optimism Pessimism Phoneography Challenge Picture the World! postaweek2012 postaweek2013 Roses Royal Opera House Royal Opera House Muscat Saiq Plateau Salalah share your world Shine On Award Six Word Saturday South Korea Spain Spirituality Story Challenge Sunday Post Tibet Travel travel theme Turkey United Arab Emirates United States of America University of Nizwa Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Tiwi Wedding wednesday song title interpretation weekly photo challenge Western Hajar Mountains Wordpress WPLongform wwwp5k

Blogs I Follow

  • Fairfax County Emergency Information
  • ~ wander.essence ~
  • Living in Paradise...
  • SterVens' Tales
  • PIRAN CAFÉ
  • Word Wabbit
  • Cardinal Guzman
  • Pit's Fritztown News
  • Fumbling Through Italy
  • Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek
  • snowtoseas
  • Cornwall in Colours
  • Slovenian Girl Abroad
  • Let Me Bite That
  • Running Stories by Jerry Lewis
  • Finding NYC
  • The World according to Dina
  • Cornwall Photographic
  • snippetsandsnaps
  • SITTING PRETTY

Administrative Stuff…

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  • WordPress.com

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Categories

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Fairfax County Emergency Information

Official Fairfax County Government Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Website

~ wander.essence ~

where travel meets art

Living in Paradise...

SterVens' Tales

~~~In Case You Didn't Know, I Talk 2 Myself~~~

PIRAN CAFÉ

Word Wabbit

Wrestless Word Wrestler

Cardinal Guzman

Encyclopedia Miscellaneous - 'quality' blogging since August 2011

Pit's Fritztown News

A German Expat's Life in Fredericksburg/Texas

Fumbling Through Italy

Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

snowtoseas

Cornwall in Colours

inspired by the colours of the land, sea and sky of Cornwall

Slovenian Girl Abroad

A blog about travel adventures written by an Slovenian girl living in Switzerland

Let Me Bite That

Can I have a bite?

Running Stories by Jerry Lewis

Personal blog about running adventures

Finding NYC

exploring New York City one adventure at a time

The World according to Dina

Notes on Seeing, Reading & Writing, Living & Loving in The North

Cornwall Photographic

snippetsandsnaps

Potato Point and beyond

SITTING PRETTY

Fairfax County Emergency Information

Official Fairfax County Government Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Website

~ wander.essence ~

where travel meets art

Living in Paradise...

SterVens' Tales

~~~In Case You Didn't Know, I Talk 2 Myself~~~

PIRAN CAFÉ

Word Wabbit

Wrestless Word Wrestler

Cardinal Guzman

Encyclopedia Miscellaneous - 'quality' blogging since August 2011

Pit's Fritztown News

A German Expat's Life in Fredericksburg/Texas

Fumbling Through Italy

Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

snowtoseas

Cornwall in Colours

inspired by the colours of the land, sea and sky of Cornwall

Slovenian Girl Abroad

A blog about travel adventures written by an Slovenian girl living in Switzerland

Let Me Bite That

Can I have a bite?

Running Stories by Jerry Lewis

Personal blog about running adventures

Finding NYC

exploring New York City one adventure at a time

The World according to Dina

Notes on Seeing, Reading & Writing, Living & Loving in The North

Cornwall Photographic

snippetsandsnaps

Potato Point and beyond

SITTING PRETTY

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