This ceiling showing traditional Omani items was in Mutrah Souk, the largest and most interesting bazaar in Muscat. I do have pictures of the souk itself (and everything else!), but won’t be able to do any major processing until I get back home to Riyadh, and this will be the last picture I post from Oman.

As I mentioned on another picture, I found it surprising that I felt the need to buy an abaya while in this souk. (I of course had to travel in one from Saudi Arabia, but it was back at the hotel.) They say (whoever they is) that foreign female tourists don’t have to wear abayas, but really, I was very out of place in the souk and attracting too much attention. So when I saw a shop that had some stylish abayas out in front, I went in, found one I liked, and they shortened it for me in a few minutes. When we were leaving the souk, several vendors stopped me and said how nice I looked in an abaya. I guess they appreciated me following the local custom. Omani women do wear them, of course, but they seem to be more decorative than those in Saudi Arabia, and their headscarves are often not black nor do they leave only the eyes exposed. A refreshing change!

Another picture posted early this morning of the wonderful pool at our hotel, which is where I'm heading right now!