Souks

The Old Souk
Muscat is amazing. In the souk in Muttrah (by the port in side the gates) one can find a collection of delights. The coffee shops just outside serve anything from blended mint lemonade to all beef hot dog sandwiches (no pork here). You can look at the old but very active port as you refresh before a few hours of shopping.

The new and old souk now merge into one large block connected by small allies. It is possible to get lost, but not for long, because if you ask a local to help you they will tell you what passage to take to get back to the center and main ally.

The photo to the right is one view outside the Muttrah souk. Two traditional Omani fishing boats are on display in the port.

Below are the purchases I made at the latest souk adventure.

The Plant Souk

One of the other teachers here took Sara, Zach and I to the plant souk. (Sara and Zach are two of my buddies here, we have done nearly everything together. In fact the boat photo is Sara's photo.) The plant souk is a long stretch in of nurseries in Seeb, west of where I live.

To the left, the moment of purchase at the plant souk. The photo was taken by our host who had made us tacos for dinner complete with plain tortillia chips. Yes!

Day ?

I am settling in slowly but surely. I have most things at home that I need. I am now working on my classroom (photos soon).
Oman is a fabulous country. The people are very kind. It is reletively easy to drive around and find things. There is one main highway. One thing, I kept getting in the wrong lane and exited the freeway. Most freeway exits have a roundabout. Straight, leads back on the freeway; U-turn, freeway in the opposite direction. Then right or left will take you to the business and such. Last night on my way back from The Sultan Center (Huge store with anything you would ever need and/or want except for plain tortilla chips) I exited the freeway at my exit, only to find myself back on the freeway again. I eventually found my way back. Now I know where things are, right?
Some of you who have travelled, know that there is always one thing at home that you cannot get in the particular country where you are. Most of the time it is food related. Oreos, plain m&m's, DQ Blizzards, drip coffee or tortilla chips. Well all of that is in Oman (Just not necissarily at the Sultan Center). Yes all of it. Let's play a game. Someone think of something they couldn't find while abroad. Let's see if I can find it!

Arrived 9:50 Muscat time

I made it safe and sound and so did all my bags!
I found the ethernet cable this morining so I am online. Still trying to figure out the phone situation. More on that later.
I have a huge air conditioned apartment. I am not far from the school. Today I will be going to the grocery store, school tour, and pool party. Eventually I will unpack.