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
a nomad in the land of nizwa 
maybe the wine is for export? or to eat the fruits only?
Frizz, this is not a real commercial operation, just a small village’s plantation or farm. I don’t think they export anything from here; they probably just eat the fruits… 🙂
Very nice. There’s always something very romantic about the concept of vineyards. 🙂
I agree Myra. They do seem romantic!! 🙂
Alot of Omanis make their own wine don’t be fooled;). It was alot more common 20 years ago than it is today though. To quote a book on the history of the Dhofar insurgency: “Devout Muslims don’t drink alcohol and many of them were devout, but they saw no reason as to why we {british soldiers} should not drink if we wanted to, and they tolerated their own people drinking is done discreetly and sensibly…. Nick Holbrook, while taking a patrol in the region was offered a locally produced brandy. He expressed his surprise that they shoudl treat the structures of Mohammed so lightly. He was told: ‘we’ve been making wine for over 2,000 years. Muhummad has only been around for 1,400.’ -pg 58 “In the Service of the Sultan. My Omani husband would confirm as much since in his father’s generation there were some less respected locals who made thier own wine and brandy.
But we like to eat grapes alot too;) with Arabic coffee. And grape juice, unfermented.
Princess, I know a lot of Omanis drink, thus my quotes in “don’t drink,” but I didn’t know they made their own wine. I would sure like to taste some one day, as you can probably tell from my blogs that I love red wine. I’m sure the grapes are wonderful to eat as well, although these in Wekan were not quite ripe yet. Thanks as always for adding some history and insight to my blog!! 🙂
Grapes are delicious even if they aren’t in the form of wine! Great entry.
You’re right Fergitmoto! And they’re pretty too!
Red wine is the best. It is the ONLY alcohol I miss the taste of truly. Occasionally, bitter black currant syrup watered down has the same taste… But it isn’t red wine. So as a Muslim I look forward to the wine they say that is in heaven for giving up on that oldie but goodie;)
I agree. Red wine is so mellow and soothing to the soul…. 🙂