A Walk through the Souq

 

Inside this gate lies an array of fruits, veggies and Omani treasures.  The other day Jen and I and some new friends sauntered through and took in all the smells, colors and their version of taste testing.  

 

 But inside this  treasure trove the thing that is most intriguing are the people.  There are those that wave their prize tomatoes at you or tempt you with dates. Most likely you won't come out of there unscathed.  You will have in your hands bags full giving into the temptation to take home.  My favorite part of all is watching the locals shop.  I am always amazed (and so are shopkeepers) when I want only 5 carrots and they take out a whole bushel bag full. I ask for a few bananas and they take home a whole branch!  But, I also enjoy watching the men shop for their wives and families.  Most of the time the majority of shoppers are men.  Occasionally, there are a few women. The day we went there was this old man shopping for dates.  When I think of an older Omani man, he is what I think of... he was smiling, joking and very amiable.  I asked to take his picture and he hammed it up for me.  His camel cane, white dishdasha, guhtra and his Arab sandals are all the outer things that remind me of who these people are... but their is something about the Omani people whether you meet them on the street or in their homes a warmth and friendliness exudes from them... and I remember why I enjoy them so much.