Orientation of Oman

Sultan Qaboos' Clearr View

     As I exited the plane that I had taken from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, Oman’s capital city, I was not entirely sure what to expect. Like many Americans I had little knowledge of the country’s vast quantity of culture and history and while I had the spent the past couple of months reading Omani newspapers I was in no way prepared for what was to come.

     Upon my arrival at “Al Naseem” hotel, located in the neighborhood of Muscat called Mutrah, I noticed that the nightlife was an important part of the culture, especially during the current month of Ramadan. This is due to the late dinners that come with breaking fast during Ramadan, and the entire holiday just feeds the festive attitude that was so potent on this street in Mutrah. There were children in their teens and younger playing soccer outside the hotel and people walking up and down the street coming from the local Mosque, which stands only a few buildings down from the hotel my group and I were staying at. We then decided to explore The Mutrah Souq.  A Souq is an area of an Arabic city that is essentially a flea market but this, was not like any flea market I have ever seen, and it was truly a shock to the senses. This Souq, widely known as the most extravagant one in Muscat, is underground and is just store after store selling trinkets, Omani dress, Omani smells and other such things. Immediately upon entering the Souq you are bombarded with the smell of burning incense and frankincense that Omani people come from all over the country to sell. You will then notice all the colors of the Omani fabric being sold as well as the shine from the gold and silver sold in the jewelry and trinket shops. One last point of interest is the multiple ethnicities. Arabic, Indian, East African and more can be found trying to make a living here. 

     

The Souq in Mutrah

The first night in Oman certainly increased my interest in the country and the second day was no disappointment as well. The group woke up and met in the hotel restaurant where we were made aware of the events that will be taking place in the coming days, weeks and months. We were given an assignment that allowed us to spend a couple more hours in the Mutrah Souq, and the first thing I noticed was how much less crowded it was than the night before, especially with women. However, the people there still displayed a group of ethnicities all trying to make a living by selling anything from daggers to incense out of their stores, which were packed into this market place like sardines.

      We were then taken by bus to the World Learning Center, which is the facility SIT, the international study program I am currently on, uses to provide students with classes and staff with offices. It is a “home-base” for the entire group.  The rest of the day was filled with lectures preparing us for the upcoming semester until five o’clock rolled around and we were taken back to the hotel. The entire group then entertained itself by finding a new place to eat dinner and walk through the souq to once again witness the vibrant nightlife.

Mutrah Main St.