Let’s hear it for Oman. You finally were able to get India out of my system — literally, that is. (I don’t think India will ever be out of my system, figuratively.) It took two stomach attacks in Dubai and one in Oman, but I have finally gone two days with no more attacks. I am dubbing myself cured! At last.
This country is perplexing and challenging in so many ways. I’m trying to keep an open mind. But after being told to put on a long-sleeved blouse instead of the 3/4-sleeve blouse and long pants I was wearing in 111-degree weather — because I wasn’t covered enough, I got a little ticked off. Well, maybe more than a little. It was hot. And I wanted to see this gynormous mosque and really didn’t want to troop back to the car to dig out another blouse from my suitcase.
But I did and I got to see the lovely mosque where the women get to pray. And the even larger and more elaborate mosque where the men pray. When I asked why the men got such a nice place, I was told that the women don’t have to come to the mosque to pray. They can stay home and pray because it is so difficult for men to concentrate and pray when women are around. This from a country where the men can easily go without eating for 12 hours every day during Ramadan. But they can’t control themselves around women.
Of course I keep telling myself that progress is slow. Heck, they only began getting universal electricity and water here in the mid 1980s. Most women still stay at home and lucky for them their yards are surrounded by 8-foot walls, so they can come outside in the evening with normal clothes on and their hair uncovered.
The countryside is vast, mountainous, dry and sandy. We actually got two days of raindrops — which we are told is very abnormal.
So, that is my first post-India illness cohesive thought. More to come if India stays away. Back to the capital, Muscat, tomorrow and then on to Abu Dhabi.
GOD BLESS AMERICA it’s 4th of here.
Yes, we have been having long discussions about how great America is. With all our problems, we still can talk freely, wear what we like and be treated fairly. See Kelly’s blog tomorrow. She has a nice piece about it. Happy 4th to you, pal!
Terry, I don’t envy you with the HOT weather nor the tummy attacks (gone, I hope)–but you are seeing beautiful buildings and sights. I think, too, you are more appreciative of life in the USA which we often don’t think about.
Yes, Virginia, we are VERY, VERY appreciative of having the luck to be born in the United States. We have had many, many long discussions about how different our lives are — but for the luck of our birthplace. We are having a great time. I think my stomach problems are gone (fingers crossed). We are off to Abu Dhabi tomorrow and that should be a bit more modern than Oman. Thanks for following along with us.