On the other hand...I'm quite excited about my (brief) trip to Muscat, Oman prior to visiting Dubai. Unlike Dubia, Oman is mysterious, unsullied, authentic.
Those who think I'm a freak for wanting to visit Dubai are unable to process the fact that I'm also traveling (alone) to Oman. It's too foreign to them to process.
"Have a fun trip to Dubai..!..?...," they wish wanly.
"And Oman!" I remind them.
"Err..Enjoy Dubai!?!"
Upon hearing about my foray into Oman, many react as though I had just announced my acceptance into the Church of Scientology. They fidgit. Bite their nails. Grimace. Change the subject.
Carol, my former hairdresser in Minneapolis, turned me on to Oman. She lived there for seven years during her twenties, and spoke so affectionately of the experience that I vowed to her that I would visit the country someday.
Other than picking Carol's brain, I've located very little information on Oman. I've not found any books on Oman and Fodors.com is of little help planning my trip. The Tripadvisor Oman forum is a decent resource, however.
Somebody needs to write a travel article on Oman, perhaps in exchange for a free trip and a handsome stipend. National Geographic, Traveler, Travel + Leisure: Call me!
Hey - I saw your comment on the NYT; glad you liked Oman.
Posted by: Muscateer | June 26, 2008 at 10:03 AM