Muscat Moments 21 - # 17/2011
"The village at the end of the world"............my son brought his rock-hard Jeep across the desert from Dubai.......it's a lovely multi-lane highway built to the best standards.
However, this fishing village is accessible only by a rough-riding Jeep or by sea. But they have electricity and school and the road is maintained, if rough. They are by no means cut off, and a fishing skiff could quickly reach Muscat.
Omanis are friendly, outgoing seafarers and by tradition like contact with foreigners (provided you respect their pride as Omanis). They graciously invited us to sip Omani coffee and eat dates - delicious sweet and sour/dates and coffee. Over coffee we discussed international football, the cost of cars and the price of buying a wife. There was a long contemplative silence after Christopher reckoned £500,000 as being the cost of a wife in England..........which then exploded into a loud burst of exceptionally raucous laughter and back slapping. After the usual photo-call we were graciously lead back to the Jeep and waved on our way. Riding away in the Jeep we were thinking.........Hmmm, just like men all over the world!!!
Hmm! "like men all over..." Buying a wife? I guess I'll have to reconsider that comparison re. wife-buying.
ReplyDelete@Kate.....well this is dramatic licence. Personally, I would say over £1.0 million is nearer the real cost. But then since my wife bought me, I'm only guessing.
ReplyDeleteWife too much expensive at this price. What your discount?
ReplyDeleteLove the story and the photo of Christopher and his two buddies. Adore the expression of the chap on the left. He's so chuffed.
ReplyDeleteJ'ai eu la chance dans une vie antérieure (je n'avais pas encore d'enfant) de vivre et travailler deux ans au Maroc. Nous vivions à Rabat mais je suis allée dans le "bled" où nous avons été accueillis comme j'imagine que tu l'as été. Nous avons mangé le pain trempé dans l'huile d'olive et on a tué et cuit un poulet pour nous. Des personnes fières, tu as raison...
ReplyDeleteTu as pu aller derrière ce mur et tu es passé en dessous de cet arbre ?
ReplyDelete(Le film dont tu m'as parlé est, en français, "les triplettes de Belleville" je pense.)
Hmm....how long has Christopher lived in Dubai?
ReplyDeleteHe has a very English-looking tan!
I laughed - and loved your addendum.
ReplyDeleteOf course your wife bought you - I guess the price is not to be disclosed?
Oh how much I've enjoyed this tale. May I venture that I think you might be spot on! :) How wonderful that you are having such a grand time with your son.
ReplyDeleteV