***here is an email update that I sent out if you are interested in reading it.
Hello Again!
Well I have survived the desert and the village! I have been in Oman now for right at one week. We have done so much in this first week, it feels like we have been here for so long. I will try to tell you a little bit about what we have been up to.
First, our housing in the village is so wonderful! We have great air conditioning, large rooms, and a great big kitchen to cook in. Omani houses, even in villages, apparently are huge. The only sad thing is that what we had planned for internet is NOT working at all. So I am sending this from an internet café. The only internet we will have is when we go back to the capitol for day trips and random trips. So receiving replies from you will just make my day that much more!!
The food has been delicious. We have been eating lots of Schwarma (a Turkish sandwich- a note to be small group- be jealous). And we have been cooking inside our house. I am surprised at how many American types of food are available in local supermarkets. We have also been enjoying Omani style meals of chicken and rice and I am definitely learning to eat with my hands.
As most of you know, the purpose of this trip is research. So a typical day is that we go to a local market in the morning for the purpose of meeting people. We basically try to go to the side of the market where all the women are selling things. We try to strike up conversations with those that either speak English or are willing to have a conversation with us. Then we ask them basic questions about their lives. Once we finish talking to the people that the Father brings in our path, we jot it down in our notebook and then type it up later. We are specifically seeking out information about the Bedouin people. They are the desert nomads of the middle east. They are clearly distinguished by a mask they wear to cover their faces (it looks like a batman mask) and then a specific type of Omani Bedouin dress. In the early afternoon, we have been able to go to remote places and meet in Bedouin homes and we are able to interview the head of the home. The process of interviewing has been really natural and fun. We are basically just talking to people and getting to know about their lives, their culture, and their traditions. The Omani people are very friendly and hospitable and so proud to be Omani!
One thing I have learned about the Bedouin people in that the camel is one of the most important things in their culture! I have seen soo many camels everywhere, even in the back of pick-up trucks! We even had the opportunity to go off-roading into the desert where there was a Bedouin family who raises camels. There we actually all got to ride camels!!
Tomorrow we are leaving for another town that is several hours away where we will be camping in the desert. Yes, I will be sleeping in a sleeping back fully covered camping in the desert! I haven’t decided yet if I am excited or dreading it. Either way, I am sure it will make for some GREAT stories later. J We will leave Saturday and come back on Tuesday.
Between kayaking in the ocean, riding camels in the desert, and meeting in homes of the Bedouin people I am doing fantastic. I feel so honored to be know these people and this country in such a unique way!!
I hope all is well, I would love to hear updates if you have time to share them!!
