Travel Stories | Expat Life
You’re not so sandy!
I think most people have no clue what the terrain is like in Oman. It seems like a lot of us assume that the Arabian Peninsula is all sand. Well, it’s not like that at all! It has been fun to check out all of the varied landscapes as I’ve traveled around the region. Here are some more photos of the camping portion of our recent trip to Oman.
xo, jill
Reigning it in.
Saturdays are usually spent running errands in the morning (as early as possible to avoid traffic), catching up on school work, and settling in to be ready for the week. However, when you wake up in Oman, things are different.
Elizabeth and I were roused early by the voices of small children and the drumming of goats’ hooves. Two small little girls were running through our campsite accompanied by their older brother. The goats were getting a fair amount of running in too. There was no sleeping in.
After a quick breakfast I explored the area a little bit more by climbing a ladder into a garden. It’s fascinating to see the irrigation system the local people have developed.
On our way back home we stopped at Jabrin Castle, just outside of Bahla. It took a few attempts to find it, but we kept at it. I’m glad we were so determined because the fortress was fabulous. I’ve visited a few forts in the UAE, but this one in Oman takes the cake… or date syrup sweet, if you will.
The fortress was wonderfully kept and a complete maze. I thought of Freya Stark’s travel in Yemen and how she had to be escorted through the homes she stayed in because they were designed with defenses in mind. Fascinating. This fortress had several guest rooms, an upstairs bathroom, a mosque, school, kitchen, library, jail… and more I’m sure. I absolutely loved it.
In the future the fortress will offer an audio tour. During out time there a sticky note was taped to the machine reading simply, “Not yet.”
After the fortress we continued all the way back to Al Ain. I headed back to Abu Dhabi on my own and prepared to prepare for the week.
I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit more of what life is like for me in Abu Dhabi.
xo, jill
… are for adventures!
Thursday night I drove the hour and a half to Al Ain, the second largest city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, to meet up with some friends I hadn’t seen in ages. We planned a camping trip together… to Oman!
We set out around 8am and quickly reached the border. Actually crossing through was quite the laugh. It’s a process involving many windows, two trips indoors, and a tiny piece of paper changing several sets of hands. But we did it!
Although not my favorite bit of the trip, I really enjoyed being a passenger (as opposed to driver). Not only could I look out the windows, relax, and enjoy the ride… I didn’t even have to navigate! Paul knew exactly where we were going. What a treat!
First we investigated the Hoota Caves. The signage said they were closed, but you really never know until you check. They were closed. Apparently you take a little train ride either up to the caves or through the caves. Maybe next time.
Then we took a hike through an abandoned cliffside village. It’s pretty amazing to amble through the rocks knowing that people lived in the village not all that long ago.
We ate and lounged at the bottom of the village in a nice cool oasis near a few Omanis.
After lunch we trekked out to find a campsite near where Paul had camped before. As soon as we set up shop the goats came over to greet us. So friendly.
The rest of the night was spent playing cards, eating, and making pleasant conversation. A pretty good Friday adventure.
xo, jill
Thank goodness.
Thursdays are almost always wonderful days. How could the last work day of the week be bad?
Take a look at what I see on my way into work. Obviously I was more focused on the driving than the photo taking. I assumed everyone would prefer I keep my eyes on the road than properly frame these shots.
I love driving past the Grand Mosque everyday. You certainly don’t have to be Muslim to appreciate its splendor.
The highway out to my school is essentially a road to nowhere. It’s actually the special truck route that is intended to keep the trucks off the more populated highways. They are slow movers…
And this is the scenery…
All of the teachers were responsible for organizing a game or craft for the girls. There was a cinema, henna, relay races, necklace making, thumb print stamping, and a make-your-own-play-dough station (that was us!).
I was really impressed by the effort the two teachers in charge of the relay games put into their event. They even dyed the water the appropriate team colors AND wore coordinating outfits. The teams were Red and Green… at certain points all you could hear was: “Akbar!” (“Green!”) “Ahmar!” “Red!” … The funny part was that the mothers who attended the festivities were more competitive than the students… and what cheaters too!
Like I said, Sarah and I ran the play dough station. The students had fun helping us mix in the ingredients and then playing with their creation.
After the party the students disappeared (seriously, I didn’t see anyone put them on the bus… they just kind of dwindled out) while the teachers enjoyed a potluck lunch. It’s always fun (and a bit nerve-wracking) to sample all of the Arab foods the teachers bring. I eat a lot of bread with salty cheese at these gatherings with no complaints!
Since it was a special day Sarah and I were able to leave a bit early. I met up with my friend, Shera, for an early dinner of potato leek soup and muffins before driving out to Al Ain to begin my weekend adventure!
xo, jill
Wild card.
Wednesdays are usually pretty good days. I have my girls in the morning and we can often plow through our lessons without too much strife. See the behavior chart:
This day we used the vocabulary from earlier in the week and made city maps. The girls had to include a cinema, supermarket, school, park, restaurant, and a mall. I was very pleased with their focus and the results of their efforts.
Would you be surprised to know that I wore a long skirt and a cardigan?
After school I raced back to my very large and comfortable bed. I’ve come accustomed to long and lovely naps in the afternoon. At first I would have a quick doze on the couch… until I learned that if I get into bed I’ll fall into a deep sleep for at least an hour and often longer. I usually wake up feeling groggy but pleased and I can always fall fast asleep at my proper bedtime.
Originally I had plans to meet a friend for dinner. She makes the savory main meal and I make the sweet dessert. We moved the Wednesday night dinner to Thursday afternoon, but I still needed to make up my dessert. This is why I was baking test batches of cookies earlier in the week. Now I was ready to perfect them.
The evening ended with a quick run to the supermarket to pick up a few items for the weekend.
Hump Day!
Tuesdays are always a bit rough. I teach in the afternoon when the girls are buzzing and wild.
This Tuesday was off to a good start when a student brought me a few roses.
It didn’t last long. Take a look at our behavior chart today! Tuesday our school has “special schedule.” This means that we skip our morning assembly (except we still have it?), add a special activity class, and tag on 20 minutes to the day. Lucky me, the girls arrive in my room directly after their special activity… it’s nutso!
I usually teach 3 40 minute periods a day. For whatever reason, an extra class was added onto my schedule this day… and oh my goodness we needed it. Some days we get nothing done because the concept of “If I’m talking… you’re NOT talking!” is too difficult to grasp. I lost track of time and you can see that the girls exited my room in a hectic fashion as the end of the day bell clanged on. (The bell rings at least 7 times on Tuesdays…)
My naughtiest (and favorite) student and I wore our hair in the same style. I love it when that happens. We point at each other’s hair and say “Same same!” with big smiles. It’s pretty adorable.
Here I am posing with the Tree of Shapes. This arrived one day in the middle of class. It’s hard to know how to react when a wooden tree is delivered to your doorstep. I think I said something along the lines of… “Wow… look at that!”
After school Sarah came over to sort out a problem with her sewing machine. After a lot of tinkering, it was a pretty simple fix. We stopped at a restaurant across the street for some hummus and enjoyed some complimentary falafel while we waited.
Tuesday nights my friends and I celebrate Hump Day by hosting dinner for each other. Every fifth week it’s my turn. This week was at Hannah’s house. She always cooks up something tasty. This time it was Korean food.
The evening usually includes some gaming… if they can sucker me in. I’m not so much one for board games (“bored” games… I love that Mol!).
That’s Tuesday!
xo, jill
