This is the first of 2 posts about my Oman travels, because in reality, they were 2 completely different trips.
After getting a full nights sleep for the first time in forever, my friend Laura and I ventured to the Abu Dhabi bus station. There was a bit of confusion, but we eventually got waved into the women/family line (which was so short compared to the other line that I didn't see it at first). Got on our bus only a little later than planned, but we were off to Dubai! (Which is not the same as Abu Dhabi. Just saying).
That night we recaptured small bits of normalcy that have been missing at NYUAD. We got fruit (which is hard to find and really expensive here), and then watched the news and part of Monsters Inc. It is striking how similar hotels are everywhere (but appreciated).
The next morning as we checked out of the hotel, we discovered that apparently I am a male Russian national on the receipt for the room. In the US I might expect the male part, if judged only on the name, but we checked in in person. And they looked at our passports. Neither of which were masculine, or Russian.
Then we went to the other hotel for the pickup for the dhow cruise. Driving into Oman, it was startling how much the landscape changes in 2 hours. It went from flat, deserted desert to mountains and sand and shrubberies. (Ni jokes were made).
Crossing the border was as easy as showing our UAE residence visas (which amused the guards on both sides). And then: the dhow cruise.
I haven't sorted through all of my pictures yet, so those will be added in (hopefully) within the next few days.
We got onto the boat and claimed our spot. There were people, but it wasn't super crowded. Soon after, we set off, content to sit and look over the ocean and mountains, the breeze off the water hitting our upturned faces.
On the trip out to the spot we would anchor, the guide/leader/I don't really know what his title would be, but he made sure everyone was having fun and had everything they needed, put on the radio. What sounded to be an Arabic Riverdance song came on. And he knew the steps. And began pulling people up to dance with him. Of course, we had to :) It was one of those "I don't know how I got here, but it is amazing to be living this life" moments.
A pause for my reflections on the overall day (and the past 10 weeks in general):
I am still bewildered by all of this. I still don't know how I got here. I can pinpoint series of causes and events which seem to have set me on this path, but I cannot say any of them for certain. This quote basically sums up this uncertainty: "Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?"- Garth Nix. I don't think I will ever fully know, or be able to fully comprehend all of this. What I do know is that I am incredibly blessed in my life, both with the opportunities I have been given, and with the wonderful people that I am surrounded by, wherever I am. I am trying to be in the moment, to try to live in a way that gives back good like the good I have received.
I think I must be doing something right, and I know I am living it right.
Now, back to the boat! After finally realizing how nice it is to just sit, relax, and be, the boat anchored a bit off a beach. We had the opportunity to go snorkeling, jump off the boat, go to the beach, and just swim.
We started by snorkeling. After a few tries to get the masks to fit right, we swam over to the rocks by the shore (this will make more sense with pictures), and began to snorkel. There were so many fish! And they were neon, and multi-colored, and striped, and awesome.
Then we jumped off of the boat. Because, well, you have to. :) I almost didn't, because I don't love heights. But one way I am trying to live my life differently is to not let myself get in my own way. So I looked, saw the distance, and still leaped into the beautiful water.
After some time we had lunch, which was an odd mix of Arabic, Indian, and American BBQ. Then we went back to shore, and back to Dubai.
It was a breathtaking day.
Part 2 of my Oman adventures will be continued in the next post.
<3
After getting a full nights sleep for the first time in forever, my friend Laura and I ventured to the Abu Dhabi bus station. There was a bit of confusion, but we eventually got waved into the women/family line (which was so short compared to the other line that I didn't see it at first). Got on our bus only a little later than planned, but we were off to Dubai! (Which is not the same as Abu Dhabi. Just saying).
That night we recaptured small bits of normalcy that have been missing at NYUAD. We got fruit (which is hard to find and really expensive here), and then watched the news and part of Monsters Inc. It is striking how similar hotels are everywhere (but appreciated).
The next morning as we checked out of the hotel, we discovered that apparently I am a male Russian national on the receipt for the room. In the US I might expect the male part, if judged only on the name, but we checked in in person. And they looked at our passports. Neither of which were masculine, or Russian.
Then we went to the other hotel for the pickup for the dhow cruise. Driving into Oman, it was startling how much the landscape changes in 2 hours. It went from flat, deserted desert to mountains and sand and shrubberies. (Ni jokes were made).
Crossing the border was as easy as showing our UAE residence visas (which amused the guards on both sides). And then: the dhow cruise.
I haven't sorted through all of my pictures yet, so those will be added in (hopefully) within the next few days.
We got onto the boat and claimed our spot. There were people, but it wasn't super crowded. Soon after, we set off, content to sit and look over the ocean and mountains, the breeze off the water hitting our upturned faces.
On the trip out to the spot we would anchor, the guide/leader/I don't really know what his title would be, but he made sure everyone was having fun and had everything they needed, put on the radio. What sounded to be an Arabic Riverdance song came on. And he knew the steps. And began pulling people up to dance with him. Of course, we had to :) It was one of those "I don't know how I got here, but it is amazing to be living this life" moments.
A pause for my reflections on the overall day (and the past 10 weeks in general):
I am still bewildered by all of this. I still don't know how I got here. I can pinpoint series of causes and events which seem to have set me on this path, but I cannot say any of them for certain. This quote basically sums up this uncertainty: "Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?"- Garth Nix. I don't think I will ever fully know, or be able to fully comprehend all of this. What I do know is that I am incredibly blessed in my life, both with the opportunities I have been given, and with the wonderful people that I am surrounded by, wherever I am. I am trying to be in the moment, to try to live in a way that gives back good like the good I have received.
I think I must be doing something right, and I know I am living it right.
Now, back to the boat! After finally realizing how nice it is to just sit, relax, and be, the boat anchored a bit off a beach. We had the opportunity to go snorkeling, jump off the boat, go to the beach, and just swim.
We started by snorkeling. After a few tries to get the masks to fit right, we swam over to the rocks by the shore (this will make more sense with pictures), and began to snorkel. There were so many fish! And they were neon, and multi-colored, and striped, and awesome.
Then we jumped off of the boat. Because, well, you have to. :) I almost didn't, because I don't love heights. But one way I am trying to live my life differently is to not let myself get in my own way. So I looked, saw the distance, and still leaped into the beautiful water.
After some time we had lunch, which was an odd mix of Arabic, Indian, and American BBQ. Then we went back to shore, and back to Dubai.
It was a breathtaking day.
Part 2 of my Oman adventures will be continued in the next post.
<3
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