England

First things first. When I left Sweden for England, I saw this in the departure lounge at Copenhagen Airport. Smoking cabins for people who need to light up.  

I don't know if this has anything to do with legislation. Maybe, if smoking is banned in all public buildings, special provisions need to be made for people who have passed through passport control and no longer can go out for a smoke (especially if a flight is suddenly delayed for a few hours). Or maybe it's because once you've passed through passport control, your not "in Denmark" anymore and different laws apply. In any case, I was not the only one taking photos of these smoking cabins.  The cabins look like phone booths but without phones. I wonder how the smokers feel in there? I'm sure they feel a bit self conscious.

And while on the topic of airports, I've also tried out the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow. I've read a lot the problems they had opening it, but everything was OK when I was there. Looks a bit like Stanstead Airport, I think.

I only stayed four nights in London this time. Last year, when I had planned to be in England for almost four weeks, the weather was so bad that I actually bought a ticket to Egypt to get some sun and warmth (a bit ironic since I live i Oman). This year, I decided to plan for nice (but not too hot) summer weather ahead of time. Instead of spending a lot of time in Europe, I decided to try South East Asia (since all my friends and colleagues in Oman keep telling me how wonderful it is).

In London, I stayed with my friends Keith and Belinda and their son Aidan. Aidan seemed to have grown nearly a foot since last summer and has improved on his already amazing reading skills. On the day of my arrival, he had read (and finished) a book of 350 pages!

When I was ten, I was given my first "real book" (i.e. no pictures). It was a Just William book and I skipped a lot of pages just to impress everybody that I was now a real reader.  Well, Aidan - the Super Speed-Reader - is in a league of his own. The question is, who will be taller next summer? Aidan or his mum Belinda?

I also went to Cambridge to meet up with friends. Geoff was very busy, but we managed to meet up for a coffee during the lunch hour. Geoff is back at work after a trip to Antigua. I actually had to look up exactly where in the Caribbean Antigua is - and seeing pictures from there, I now feel intensely envious. Geoff was relaxed and in a very good mood. Maybe I should look into Antigua for next summer?

Next, I visited Kuba and Lisa in Ely. It was a lively visit, as Kuba and Lisa now have got two kids.

In other words, catching up had to be done in short bits between chasing kids, changing nappies etc.

Alex is now nearly three and more handsome than ever.

And his sister Maja is 10 months and more gorgeous than anything you've ever seen.

I also tried to squeeze in a cultural event while in London. I saw that King Lear was playing at the Globe Theater and I went down there to buy one of those £5 standing up tickets they do - only to find out that it was sold out.  What's happening? When I lived in London, you could always go to the Globe Theater and buy a ticket for that day. The lady at the counter said something about tickets being released in February. The demand for the Globe Theatre performances must have shot right up. I'm disappointed of course since it was my only chance to see a Shakespeare play this year.  And looking across the Thames when I got out of the theatre lobby, the weather matched my mood (dramatic picture, though).

What more? Well, I was able to attend the first service in English for 12 months (only Arabic in the church I go to in Muscat). It was nice to be back at St Botolph's at Liverpool Street.

We went out for a coffee after church and I could catch up some more with people.

That evening, I met up with some of my MA mates. We had Chinese at Leicester Square (eat as much as you want for £5 at Mr Wu's) and tea and apple pie in Covent Gardens. It was great so see them again.

Even as I landed in the UK, I started to suspect that I'd spend much more money than I'd planned while in Europe.  And I was right. Just one example: for the four days I stayed in the UK, I spent a whopping £101 on underground and train tickets!! (That's over $200!) And I just stayed in London and made one trip to Cambridge/Ely. I've worked out that for $200 I can drive to Muscat and back (350 km) twenty-seven times!

Well, my trip to London was intense but short. I'm happy I managed to squeeze in a fair bit of seeing people and catching up. Here's my last picture from London - Piccadilly Circus. I won't see this for a year now.

The next morning I flew back to Oman. OmanAir has just started flying to the UK, so I was able to get a non-stop flight to Muscat - under 7 hours! When I landed, it was only 32C in Muscat. What's happened? It was 45C when I left. Though, I won't complain of course.

Checking my bank balance, I realised I had to cancel my air ticket to Bangkok.    I'll probably have a "staycation" (for a UK view on staycations, click here or here), and with 32 C in Muscat it does not sound like such a bad idea.  I better hit Muscat beach. 

Sweden

Going to Sweden in summer is always a bit of a respite from the intense heat in Oman. I arrived just in time for my youngest niece's - Charlotta's - confirmation. That was good timing actually, since many of my relatives where there for the occasion. Anyway, last year, Charlotta was a young girl - this year, she'd turned into a young lady.  Here she is outside the church after the confirmation service, as lovely as a Swedish summer's day.

My oldest niece, Alexandra, was as energetic as always, constantly cracking jokes and adding a bit of life to any conversation within earshot. Her stories from the shoe shop she works at in Gothenburg could be turned into a collection of short stories! For example, when a Muslim female customer asked to speak with the manager, Alexandra got a bit worried. She'd just been joking with the woman, who was completely covered in a burka. Alexandra had hid a shoe box under he own clothes and saying, "Guess what I've got under here?!". In fact, what the woman wanted to tell the manager was that Alexandra had been the best shop assistant she'd ever come across! Alexandra has certainly got amazing cross-cultural social skills.  I've  seen it before. She's studying psychology and procedures guiding the presentation of evidence in criminal cases at the University of Gothenburg (her shoe shop job is in addition to her studies). She'll go far, I'm sure.

Her boyfriend Leo is smidgen quieter. And a chatterbox like Alexandra needs someone who listens, I suppose. 

My middle-niece, Jasmine, has also moved to Gothenburg - so she and Alexandra can get together much more easily this year. I don't know what it is about Gothenburg - I've always thought it a cold and damp place that is neither big enough to be a proper city nor small enough to be a cosy town - but Alexandra and Jasmine are singing its praises. I wouldn't be surprised if Charlotta moves there as well in a few year's time. Anyway, Jasmine has got two jobs and is aflush with money. She does things like popping over to Chicago, USA, for a week to visit a friend and do a bit of shopping. When I was twenty, I took the ferry to England for the very first time. Popping over to the US for a week would have seemed like living the life of the jet set at that stage. I'm extremely envious of her headstart on the globetrotter arena.  Jasmine might go even further than Alexandra - geographically speaking.

I stayed in Sweden for one week. We had a party for Charlotta after her confirmation, with her opening presents...

...and the rest of us watching...

...and then having a meal together.

My Aunt Ingrid and Uncle Olof were there as well. Aunt Ingrid has more energy than I! After intense socialising and eating for a whole day she would want to go for a walk or something - while I just wanted to go to bed.  Here, Ingrid and Olof are sitting next to Leo while we're having coffee and Swedish buns.

If I had the time, I would write an Ode to the Swedish Bun. But at this stage, a picture will do.

We also managed to fit in a birthday party for Karlanders, my brother-in-law's - Stefan's - father. Good timing Karlanders!

Charlotta took the opportunity to take a few photos with her brand new digital camera - a present from Märit and Stefan and bought by my sister in Muscat, Oman.

And while we were at it, we also had rerun of my birthday party from March. The main reason for this was that the box with presents sent to Oman never arrived - and everybody chipped in to buy their presents for me a second time. Very decent of them, I thought. 

When all the partying was over and done with, there was not much time left.  However, Märit and I went out for a coffee at an outdoor cafe one morning. Here is Märit, looking considerably more relaxed, not having to contend with the extreme heat of Oman.

And that was all I had time for in Sweden. Next, I flew to London.

Märit in Oman

When my sister Märit decided to come and visit me in June, she knew what she was in for - soaring temperatures. Still, it was quite funny when she told me what happend as she stepped out of the aircraft at Muscat Airport. She said she felt this stream of hot air coming against her and she thought she was walking behind one of the jet engines still spewing out hot air. She just could not believe it when she realised (a few seconds later) that this was actually the local temperature.

I gave Märit a lot of suggestions of things to do in Oman, but she definitely gravitated towards all things to do with the sea or swimming pools.

We experimented a bit with timings, and in the end decided that arriving at the beach around 5.00 pm worked best. This is the time when the locals start to arrive at the beach anyway - mostly to run or play football. Märit - committed to a sun and beach holiday - did not exactly disappear in a crowd of sun worshippers.

In fact, there was plenty of space.

With the odd visitor breaking the unrestricted sea view.

Märit worked quite hard at having a relaxing summer break in spite of the extreme heat - and managed quite well, think. At least, she looked the part. 

One of the first things we did after Märit arrived was to arrange a real Swedish Midsummer's Eve Party. In Sweden we celebrate Midsummer's Eve in a big way, with everybody going out into the countryside, eating lots of food, dancing around a maypole and downing vodka shots. I'd been able to buy most of the ingredients needed at IKEA in Dubai, so when around 18 people arrived in my flat on Friday 20 June we were all ready. Our Midsummer's Eve Party spread included:

• Herring with onion (with salad and new potatoes)
• Herring with mustard sauce (with salad and new potatoes)
• Herring and beetroot salad (herring, onion, beetroot and whipped cream)
• Mr Johnson's Temptation (a creamy potato casserole with onion and anjovis)
• Swedish meatballs (with lingonberry and cream gravy)
• Swedish cracker bread with Swedish Priest's Cheese
• Swedish Princess Cake
• Swedish blueberry pie

This Omani Midsummer's Eve party turned out to be a fabulous get together! People were seated in three different rooms to make sure everybody had somewhere to sit. Some sat in the living room...

...some in my library...

...and some in the bedroom...

Even though there was no dancing around the maypole, this was still one of my most memorable Midsummer's Eve parties ever. It was relaxing and fun. And I was ever so grateful having Märit there helping peeling all those potatoes and chopping all those onions.

Märit and I managed to fit in other things as well. For example, we went to the local market. Märit worked out pretty quickly that her face went bright red after about 20 minutes in the outdoor heat. This picture is pre-red face.

We spent quite a lot of time at the CityCentre Mall in Muscat. A real winner with Märit as it was all air-conditioned.

We saw some of the sights in Muscat, like the Mutrah sea front.

We also drove up into the mountains nearby Nizwa. Here, at Hatt, the temperature was more like in Europe.

Even though Hatt might not be very well known among tourists, Omanis know about this beautiful spot. A few minutes after Märit and I arrived, we had company.

But, as I said, we mainly went swimming. Several times we went to the local pools in Nizwa.

Even though the surroundings look lovely, with 45 C (114 F) in the shade, it's actually only really enjoyable when you're in the pool.

It was great having Märit visit me in Oman! It's not often people pop in to say hello.  

On 3 July, Märit and I flew to Sweden to be there in time for my youngest daughter-in-law's confirmation. Update on that coming shortly.

A Hot Welcome

I just noticed that the BBC weather forecast for today says 49 C (120 F).

A tad on the warm side for my sister as she arrives from Sweden tonight.

Camels

There's something about camels. I can't put my finger on it, but I think it's got something to do with the fact that all camels seem so proudly detached to me. They've got their own agenda and refuse to be buffeted or messed around by the wishes and desires of others. It's independence par excellence.

I've been here in Oman for two years now, but I still have to stop the car when I see a camel by the roadside. I just think they're super cool.

The picture above is from the camel market in Sinaw, about half an hour from Nizwa. Not that I'm in the market for a camel or anything.  I just enjoy just having a look.

I don't think the camel business was going very well the morning of my visit. Very soon after I arrived, they all wandered off in a leisurely fashion.

Anyway, this is one of the things I find so delightful about Oman. Camels and cars next to each other as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

---*---

OK, I'm off to the airport in a couple of hours to meet my sister!

Nizwa Night Life

If you're a party animal living in Nizwa, there are not that many options. We've got PizzaHut. And the Turkish restaurant. And Spicy Village - Indian and Chinese food. In other words, the potential for a vibrant party scene is somewhat limited.

However, that does not mean there's nothing happening. Birthdays are good excuses for getting together - and roofs work very well as dance floors. Last month, for example, Eiman's birthday party turned out to be quite a high-octane event.

We basically....

...danced...

...the night...

...away.

So, the Nizwa social scene is not only discussion groups and hanging out at the Turkish.

Muscat Beach

One thing I miss in Nizwa is the beach. That's why I'm driving down to Muscat all the time. I love the beach in Muscat. Especially around sunset.

During the summer months, you can often get the entire beach to yourself if you go there in the middle of the day. If it's 45 C (114 F) in the shade, few people go swimming.

But if you've got a good sun brollie and you like being alone, this might be for you. Or if you like bridwatching. Eearly in the mornings, you can see lots of birds along the beach.

Later in the afternoon, the beach in Muscat comes alive. There are lots of people around all of a sudden.

Though one difference between Muscat and other places around the world with nice beaches is that here most people go swimming fully dressed.

It's not unusual to see Omani women swimming in the sea with their abayas (the flowing black dress) and hijabs (the headcovering).

Even kids often go swimming with their clothes on.

In fact, the person wearing a swimming costume might often feel like the odd one out on the beach.

The main activity on the Muscat beach at sunset is definitely football, though.

Sometimes - especially on a Friday afternoon - the entire beach is divided into an endless stretch of football pitches and  you really have to watch out for footballs flying around as you wander along the sea.

The only other thing I want to say about the beach is that I'll be going there on Wednesday night. My sister is arriving in Oman tomorrow - Hooray! - and the first thing I'll do is to take her for a walk along the beach after her plane lands at Muscat Airport.

Oh, and I fogot to mention it - my summer holidays also start tomorrow. I've got nine weeks.

I keep thinking that, "This has been the busiest time of my life!" But I'm always wrong. For example, the last eight weeks really have been the busiest time of my life.  So anytime I've said it before, I've been wrong.

Anyway, all the admin I've been responsible for in the run-up to exams, during exams and after exams is finally finished.

I've been on a couple of trips at weekends over the past weeks, but I've always been too busy to upload pictures on Xanga. Anyway, I'll start by posting some pictures from a camping trip a few of us made two weeks ago. We went to an area in the mountians near a village called Hat, less than an hour from Nizwa.

We arrived just before sunset and started by setting up camp.

Next, we started preparing for dinner.

The idea was to cook Omani style - digging a whole in the ground and burying the chicken and the potatoes under the fire. Below we're working on the potatoes.

Well, not everybody is involved in the food prep.

Darkness comes quickly in this part of the world. Here we're waiting for the chicken and potatoes to cook.

Boy, did it taste good!!

I got up before five the next morning to get a good shot of the sunrise. However, it was two for the price of one. I got some good shots of the moon, too.

The sun rose at 5.30 am. A gorgeous organge ball.

A few minutes later, I had a fantastic view of the mountains around us.

I also discovered that we had some camping neighbours. One of whom turned out to be one of my students - Mustafa - standing next to the car. The funny thing is, using the zoom, I didn't realise it was him until I went down to say hello.

Once back at our camp, Natalie was busy frying American pancakes.

Tasted fantastic - with maple syrup an all. Camping is great! Even Jeremy got up early - I think it's because he heard the word "pancake" repeatedly as he was dreaming. Here, he and Eiman are having coffee.

After breakfast, Noah struck up a cool camping pose. The photo opportunity of the trip.

Before we broke camp, David showed me a piece of art he had built. Cool, too.

A really fantastic camping trip.

The Olympic Torch in Muscat

The Chinese community showed up early at the Muttrah water front.

We were also there early, not sure of how many would show up.

The atmosphere was great! The most cosmopolitan feel I've ever experienced in Oman.

Another first. A female Omani solider.

Ahead of the torch bearers, this lorry with a large TV showed up. But it suddenly stopped, and it seemed that the runners took a break for quite a while up the road. The sun actually set before the runners reached our section of the water front.

Finally, the Olympic torch appeared. Carried by Habiba Al Hinai, one of only three female athletes in the relay.

By the way, I sent this and the two pictures below to CNN's iReport, and they rang me from CNN Atlanta just an hour later. These pictures are now shown on CNN.  Click here.

As Habiba got ready to pass on the torch to the next runner, the security people formed a chain around her.

I ran alongside the torch for a while, but the runners were definitely not in a jogging mood. I could hardly keep up with them.  At this moment, when the flame was passed on to the next runner, I managed to get a good shot - but otherwise I found it hard to keep up. Though it was great fun trying!

The official ceremony with the Chinese delegated took place later in the evening at Qurum Park. Great performances!

But what I will never forget is being surrounded by some 2,000 school girls all standing on their chairs, waving flags, dancing and shouting at the top of their voices. I've never seen anything like it during my 20 months here in this country. Is this Oman??! The 2,000 or so school boys at the other side of the stadium mainly sat with their mouths open. I don't know if it was the excellent dance performance on stage or the dance performance of the school girls that stunned them.

Click here for the official Olympics website photo gallery from Muscat.

Olympic Torch in Oman

I saw from this news snippet below, just released by AFP, that the Olympic flame landed at Muscat Airport an hour ago.

Am I going to Muscat this afternoon? Absolutely!

MUSCAT (AFP) — The Olympic torch is expected to get a rare protest-free outing Monday in a parade through the capital of the Sultanate of Oman on the Middle Eastern leg of its journey to Beijing.

The flame landed in Muscat around 05:30 am (0130 GMT), from Tanzania and was spirited away under tight security, the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) said.

The parade has been scheduled for the evening, in an apparent bid to avoid daytime temperatures expected to reach 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

Some 80 athletes including Omani football players will relay the flame in a 20-kilometer (12-mile) run along a route which takes in several historical sites in the coastal city.