Tales from Oman

 The Sultanate of Oman, popularly known as Oman, can be termed as the most peaceful country of Asia Continent. While visiting the interior towns, I observed that Air Condition is the compulsory utility installed in every household; everyone cannot afford the same in India. This make me think that Oman has the perfect (least) difference between poor and rich.  Sultanate of Oman is a perfect example of absolute monarchy, wherein The Sultan of Oman exercises ultimate authority but its parliament has some legislative and oversight powers. I was fortunate enough to get a chance discussing politics, policy making, government and other topics with an intellectual friend. 

Oman is a rich country with Per Capita Income of $14,100, that's the reason it makes a favorite destination of people looking for employment from countries like India, Pakistan, Philippians and Sri Lanka.  

Here I go with my hands on experience which you can keep in mind while visiting Oman:

1. DO NOT exchange currency in India, you would have to pay almost 20% extra exchange rate along with tax. I exchanged Omanis Riyals for Rs.171+tax in India; however the same Riyal costed me Rs.135 in Oman without and tax.

2. Use Buses, though Bus service is not very frequent, but taxi will empty your pocket soon. 

3. DO NOT hunt for wine shops as there is none, Alcohol is available only in few hotels. Better you live on mock tails.

4. Do go for Scuba Diving, it's available in Muscat and the good news is that it's affordable.

5. While talking to local citizen, even if he’s your friend, never raise your voice. Omanis are very kind and they make a great host if you be friendly to them. 

6. Do not stare any woman; you may find yourself into trouble.

7. Do not forget to take a leaf of local rules and regulation from the airport. You are expected to follow those during your visit.  

8. Make a good friend, your trip will be awesome; since a local citizen can actually tell you which place to visit and which not. I did the same :)

9. Have a budget for shopping as well. You will find lots of things cheaper than India, due to lesser tax. 

My short and crisp trip was an official assignment, wherein I had to train one of the Government Organization employees on IT Service Management Concepts. While in the class, I observed that Omanis are not only Royal but also humble enough to respect each other. I found it to be the best place to observe Muslim Culture and Islam practices. Omanis pray five times in a day and they literally follow this rigorous schedule. In Oman I found the true meaning of this quote - "Religion is the root cause of most of the problems in the world, and strangely it's a solution too". As people are very religious, the crime rate in Oman is close to zero. People do not even lock their shops while going for Namaz during day time. 

My friend Sultan, who took me around the city, told me the actual meaning of Islam as a religion. He quoted that if one lives in peace, promotes peace, does not harm anyone and keep the purest thinking, is MUSLIM. There's no need to read books or go through any religious ceremony, by following these few rules you are Muslim. I appreciated his thought process about Islam and was amazed by the way he was explaining flyspecks of the religion. He also mentioned that the people who were involved in bomb blasts, killing etc. are not Muslim at all, since Islam does not accept such practices. Apart from this Sultan also spoke about the old relationship between India and Oman. He quoted that both the countries suffered from the rule of British, and British partitioned both the countries before leaving for their Homes. 

While coming back I had to wait at the airport, where I spotted a woman with cowboy hat and black boots. She was sitting in the smoking zone and observing people so keenly that it made me observe her eyes for more than 15 minutes. The way she was observing the people and small things around her, it seemed as if she was an author. I had no courage to ask her name but she could not stop me to narrate a poem on her. And here is something I wrote ~

With a cowboy hat

Cigarette in one hand,

Black long boot

you look like tomato fruit,

looking here and there

nobody dares

to ask your name,

hey hey hey

where are you going

let me follow you,

I am confused

what shall I do,

pushing all the strength

from whole body

to mouth,

here I came

with a short poem

it will sound a little lame

What's your name!!!

With Love,

Hemant