One Step at a Time: October 2011

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Oman...An Awesome Trip!

Wow! We had a really good time this Thursday! We took a bus tour to Oman, the country west of the UAE. It was beautiful! We went to the Oman Gulf, which feeds into the Indian Ocean. However, there are also mountains! So different than our landscape here! But, let me start at the beginning!

We left home at 6:00 A.M., as we were to meet our tour bus at 7:00. And...the bus came at 8:00, typical “Dubai” time! The bus held fourteen people, and a driver. We rode on the bus for about three hours. For that three hours, we were the only English speakers on the bus! All of the others spoke English, but it was their second language, so Larry and I couldn’t help but giggle, as we sat and listened to Urdu from a family of six from Pakistan, as well as our bus driver. The couple in front of us were from the Philippines, and then the woman tour guide was from Dubai, speaking Arabic.

When we arrived at the Gulf, we got off the bus, and climbed onto a boat! There were about thirty visitors on the boat. Again, we were the only Americans. :) Now, when we “joined” this tour, I think that we had a certain expectation from our trip...not AT ALL what it was like! The tour offered snorkeling, fishing, swimming, playing on the beach, drinks, and a lunch buffet. We were thinking that we would take the bus to the beach, and all of these things would be on the shore to choose what we would like to do. We even mentioned finding a coffee shop! Not QUITE the way it happened! But, it was way better, just in a much more non-commercial, authentic way.

There were cushions all over the floor, and we were greeted by men from Oman, “tour guides” who spoke little English. Everything was done by, “Here’s what I’m doing, you follow, and do the same thing!” We had coffee, and enjoyed the beautiful landscape! The boat motor then started, and we went out into the Gulf. After a bit, we stopped, and a big box of snorkeling equipment and life jackets were open on the deck. There was a smaller boat that was brought alongside our boat. We decided that meant that we could swim, snorkel, or take the boat to shore! Sure enough, that’s what we all did!

Larry swam, and I went to the beach! On the beach, was a herd of goats. I am assuming that it is where they stay. There is no grass, but some shade from scattered trees, and food in buckets. I took lots of pictures, and collected a few shells, and enjoyed the amazing view!

When we arrived back at the boat, lunch was served! Again, they set it out, and so we decided it was time to eat! It was good, but laden with curry! We had chicken, vegetables, rice, fresh vegetable salad, and cole slaw.

The boat then headed back, stopped again, and spools of fishing line were offered. No dialogue, just a spool with two little fish for bait, and a weight on the end. We didn’t fish, but watched and enjoyed the sun. A local fisherman came alongside our boat. I love the pictures of him!

As we were on the boat, we got to know our fellow passengers, especially the ones that were on our bus. The couple from the Philippines were Ex-pats, and had been in Dubai for seven years. The six friends from Pakistan were a family. They were two sisters and four brothers, about the age of our own kids. They were very nice, and very friendly.

On the way home, I believe they coerced (in Urdu) our driver :) to stop at a Pakistan restaurant. You can see from this picture that Larry and I looked quite different than the locals! This area of Oman is not full of Ex-pats, and definitely not Americans! They treated us to traditional tea and a deep-fried vegetable snack from Pakistan.

We FINALLY arrived back at our destination at 8:00 P.M., and rode on home on the Metro!

We have had a good time deciding which of our friends and children would have enjoyed this trip! :)

God’s beauty was so apparent this day! The mountains, the beautiful Gulf, the goats, the customs of the country, and our sweet new friends from Pakistan. Through it all, we know that God leads One Step at a Time!

Taken from the tour bus!

Taken from the boat!

Enjoying a cup of coffee (of course!) right after we arrived on the boat.

Leaving where the boat was parked, going out into the Gulf.

Larry swimming!

My favorite! The goats on the beach!

Our boat taken from the beach.

Our new friends from Pakistan.

Another sweet young girl on our tour!

I LOVE this picture! This man was a fisherman that pulled his boat alongside of us.

Pakistan restaurant where we stopped for a snack!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Visiting The Jumeriah Mosque

Last weekend, Larry and I went to visit the Jumeriah Mosque! Dubai has two mosques that non-Muslims are allowed to visit. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding sponsor an hour session on what Muslims believe, their dress, and then answer questions. It is a very open forum built on the premise that if we understand each other’s beliefs, we can be more open to each other. In order to enter the mosque, women must have everything covered except their hands, face, and feet. I did see some exceptions that were allowed to enter...arms not all the way covered, or a skirt that wasn’t quite to the floor. If you didn’t have the right clothing, they had abayas (robes) and pashminas (scarves) that you could borrow! Men were to wear long pants and a shirt...it could be short sleeved.

The mosque was a very beautiful building, built very simply. It was basically a rectangular room inside, and did not seem to have too many additional rooms. The ceiling, walls, and light fixtures were very ornate. It is my understanding that mosques are very simple inside, so that there is nothing else in the room that could be worshipped...no statues, pictures, etc. The building has one wall that faces Mecca. Muslims always face Mecca when they pray, so they face that certain wall in the mosque to pray. There was also a small lectern where leaders speak on Fridays. The topics are provided by the government and leaders, and it is my understanding that all leaders speak on the same topic on a given Friday.

Our “talk” was led by a man and woman that are both Muslims. The young man was Emirati, the woman had an English accent, but has lived in Dubai for over twenty years. They explained the prayer times during the day that they come to the mosque, the steps to prayer, and the “pillars” of their religion.

Then, they explained the dress that they wear...very interesting! Women wear the abaya, or long black robe generally. She explained that this was not mandatory, but that modest, loose-fitting clothing covering their body was to be worn in public. At home, she stated that she wears clothes similar to ours, but when she wants to go out of the house, “throws on” the abaya. The black color is traditional for the Dubai area, going back to long ago shielding against the heat, sand, and sun. The head covering is worn for modesty as well. She said that if she wanted to take the time to change into loose fitting clothing before going out, she could do that.

The men wear robes as well. Men are to be covered from the navel to below the knee, but of course, wear more than that in public! The robe worn here is also more tradition or “local” than mandatory Muslim dress. In the pictures, you can see the more casual head dress that he has on as he’s talking. Then, you can see a dressier red plaid with black cord. Some wear all white, even for dress, or the red and white. This means nothing, just “fashion!” Long ago, the cord used on the head dress was also used to bind the legs of the camels so that they did not run away! The tassel on the front was dipped in fragrance so that the stinky smell of being in the desert around camels could be somewhat camouflaged! Ha!

It was very informative to hear them talk about their religion, and I am so glad we went! I am thankful to pray, and let God lead...One Step at a Time!