A snapshot of peace loving and peace making little Oman where I went to experience great Omani hospitality at friend’s home who had once shared my house in Coventry.
Oman’s economy is largely driven by oil however the government is actively diversifying into other sectors such as tourism which is sadly suffering due to the wars in the surrounding regions! Once you pluck up courage to make the journey to Oman you are welcomed with the smile by friendly and helpful Omani people dressed up in their native costumes.
Oman prides itself on building its cities based on low lying traditional architecture ( no skyscrapers in sight) so that the surrounding mountains are visible. Oman is absolute monarchy, with ruling Sultan Qaboos ( whose portrait is proudly displayed in every establishment) exercising ultimate power over all major decisions of state. The Omani police patrol the streets especially in the tourist areas. The country on the whole is a safe place for tourists including the single women travelling around alone. Newspapers or world news is not readily available!
The local Omani population are not keen on working in the service sector so it relies heavily on the labour force from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Africa and surprisingly Myanmar! With very little public transport available, fuel guzzling , air conditioning cars domain the major roads. Plastic bags are handed out freely at the supermarkets and plastic bottles of water are freely available in the hotels and used in homes too!
A week in Oman has left me feeling that they are all ( five million of them) living in an ivory tower and I wonder when the impact of heat and climate change will reach the shores of stunning landscape of friendly Oman?
