Nizwa

So on Friday we somehow all managed to wake up at 5:30 so as to leave for Nizwa at 6 am. It's a historic city 2 hours away that is known for 2 things- the morning souq (market) and a fort. The morning souq is renowned for the goat auction. We arrived into the city at 8:30am just in time to see the market in full bloom. While the city is only 2 hours away in the interior, it is really a small world away. While Muscat is international and diverse, Nizwa is much more "Omani". There are more people that are in traditional dress and you can really see the agricultural aspect of the culture. The center of the market has an auction of goats and cows...which literally entails a man walking a goat around a circle and people bidding on it. Then some of the animals are taken into the main part of the souq where they can be slaughtered in small primitive butcher shops. Also, there are small farmers that sell their produce and fish being literally slaughtered in the street. The most interesting part for me were the craft shops. Here the locals stack up on everything from pottery, to knives, jewelry, and the essential rifles. There were walls and walls of different guns and rifles with decorative bullet holders. Interesting how the guns were hung right by the live amunition. Overall, the souq was interesting but the craft and handicraft area got a tiny bit touristy. I ended up buying a souvenir, although I know I got ripped off...eventhough the price is better than one that I would have gotten in Muscat. The morning souq closes at 10 am for prayer and only reopens at 4pm. It was interesting how trusting people are in Nizwa and in Oman overall. Many of the stall keepers just lcosed down their shop but left some of their wares unlocked and still out on display. The souq was abandoned within 5 mins of it turning 10am, and in any other country it would be a thief's paradise.

The next stop on our tour of the city was the Nizwa Fort, a historic landmark as one of the most secure forts in Oman. The most interesting aspect of it were the historic ways of the people to kill any invaders. They used everything from honey to hot water to traps and hidden doors.

For lunch we found a place that was actually open and had some good Omani food. The owner of the restaurant brought out our food with forks and spoons, somethign that Omani's don't use. We quickly corrected him and asked him to take all the utensils away. Along with our normal AIESEC group, Ghassan also joined us. I was able to chat with him during the trip, which was nice. I definitely learn much more about talking with Omanis and non-Omanis that have lived in Oman for a long time. I got his take on the date scene and life for him.

On the way back we were in a small accident. Everyone is fine and the car will need repair but it has insurance. The reaction of the other car and the police. Everyone was incredibly friendly and nice and apologized about how this accident might ruin our impression of the country.