The Holidays

The Holidays are upon us. 

Thanksgiving has just past and I found myself very homesick not to being around family. As hectic and interesting as it may be to be home and running everywhere, I find myself missing it so much. We did not have a turkey this year as I could not bring myself to pay the outrageous cost for it. We did however have a ham that was smuggled in and given to us by friends. With Christmas around the corner, I can only imagine my feeling of wanting to be home more urgently. Our little one is still young but I love the fact that we are with family on Christmas and I hate that he is going to miss that. I will however keep in my traditions. Although we are in a primarily Muslim country, we have seen some Christmas decorations put up at the malls here. It just proves to us that Oman is open somewhat to other religions. I doubt many countries in the Middle East are as open. We put our tree up and it is visible to outside at night. We see Muslims stop and look but we know it is out of curiosity. We will also be keeping in my over 20 year long tradition of baking a cake on Christmas Eve and singing happy birthday to Jesus. I have always wanted my children to know what Christmas was really about and I could not think of a more fun way to do it. We are also starting to learn some of the language here. John will learn a lot more than I will as he picks things up really easily and I am more of a one word a week kind of person. But I will know a little by the time we leave here so I will like that. It will probably sound really bad as I still do own some southern accent still. We just want to take the time to wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season. May God bless every one of you..... The Grays

 

 

 

some local shots

Drivers License Fail

 

 

Beach near Mughzayl

 

 

 

So last week Jenny and I attempted to obtain Omani Drivers licenses to no avail. Here's how it went down. In Oman foreign residents are issued what's called a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Card or (MFA). This is very similar to a "green card"in the US. Once you have this doc in hand you can then take it to the local Royal Omani Police station, complete the paperwork pass an eye exam pay a fee and get a drivers license. Sounds simple right? WRONG! after enlisting the help of one of my Omani counterparts in country and spending 2 hrs or so at the police station we were not able to get our licenses. Omani law dictates' that you must be in possession of a valid license after 90 days of arriving. After calling the Embassy in Muscat it looks as though we may have to make a trip ( on Uncle Sam's dime) to have the paperwork completed there. Until then I guess we are just a couple of  undocumented drivers!

 

 

To be Continued........................................

Dinners in Salalah

 

 

 

"MEATLOAF"

 

 

 

Our family dinners here in Salalah initially consisted of some of the local Omani foods, rice, Douma, beef, chicken,(all halala)and paratha bread, also some of the more westernized stuff were use to, that we could find in the local mall, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Subway etc. BUT now that Jenny has gotten in her groove I am pleased to announce home cooked meals are in full effect!. Jenny made a "meatloaf" last night that was out of this world. I don't know how she does it, but Caleb and I are very happy that she does. I think the biggest challenge was figuring out where to buy all the ingredients to prepare certain meals, but now after being in Salalah for about 3months she has a good handle on the grocery situation. This is one of those things we tend to take for granted back home. Oh how we miss the commissary!

 

 

 

 

 "paratha" bread is delicious by the way...

 

 





Dubai Trip in the works

Caleb trying on Daddy's boots

 

 

 

The Grays are currently planning a getaway to Dubai. Dealing with the US Embassy and getting all the appropriate visa's and documentation has been challenging. Having said that, we are looking forward to the trip this Christmas! "Christmas in Dubai" has a nice ring to it don't ya think?

 

 

 

 

Now that the Government shutdown is over we can continue with some of our plans. It was very STRESSFUL to say the least  having my family overseas and dealing with the uncertainties of the last few weeks. For now it's back to normal, until January anyway, when we will go through this all over again. In case you were wondering US Expats like our family; and there are several thousand around the world, don't get paid during these little hiatuses.

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

 



Expat Night

All week long we look forward to Thursday expat night at our favorite watering hole. Beer, good food and conversation with friends. Tonight's junket was relatively quiet as there is another Muslim holiday of Eid upon us. Most were well on their way to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Muscat. Until next week...

Caleb had fun as well, he learned how jump tonight! After watching his buddy demonstrate his hops, Caleb just had to try it. He is also starting climb on the wooden play scape that they have at the club, which I'll be honest scares me more than a government shutdown.

Driving in Oman

Driving in  Oman can be a challenge. There are typically no intersections, but instead Roundabouts. Makes it really fun when you have to drive a couple miles past where you want to go to the next roundabout just to get to the other side of the road. And let's not mention how scary the roundabouts can be. Roundabouts in Salalah are typically two lanes and require some skill and courage to use. Etiquette requires that the inside lane has the right of way although you cannot always count on that. It seems everyone is always in a hurry here. When traffic builds up, you will typically see people here make the shoulder a third lane and jump in when it ends. Something that us Americans will block every chance we get but people do not seem to mind here. I will give them some credit though. People do tend to get out of the left lane when someone moving faster comes up behind them. 

Stop signs are here but rarely adhered to,But don't run a red light, it could land you in jail for 4 days. I think that may just be a rule for foreigners as I never see them enforce it on the locals. As far as driving outside of the city, all I can say is watch out for Camels! You will also see your share of cows, donkey, and goats also. Typically people turn on their hazards when these animals are spotted in the road so that is another credit to the Omani drivers here. From what I understand, if you hit an animal during daylight hours, you must pay the farmer for the animal. At night, it is free! I have had a few comments about woman being able to drive here. Yes, they do but you will not see many. I really throw them for a loop being a white woman driver though and I get a kick out of it. Overall, the best advice I could give is just be more aware of other drivers around you. 

Life after Khareef

After arriving in the beginning of July, the beaches were were definitely not a place that you would want to visit. The Ocean was turbulent and the currents and undertones were too strong. I would have never imagined it would eventually be so beautiful. The waters are calm and crystal clear which makes it very inviting for a One year old to play in. Many things in our life have changed by adjusting to the food and culture but I have to say that the beaches are going to make living here much more bearable. We have only been here 3 months so I know there is still 3 more months for (by what experts say) the culture shock to wear off but I can honestly say that now that the Kareef (monsoon) season is over, it is definitely looking much better here.

Why a blog?

                            

blog

bläg/

noun

noun: blog; 

1. 1.

   a personal website or web page on which an individual records opinions, links to other sites, etc. on a regular basis.

   
   
   

When living abroad whether is as an active military member or Expat working for a government, things that were important before you left home become well "not so important anymore" and other things that maybe you never have had to deal with are all of a sudden thrust to the forefront.
Here's and example. You all know, and if you don't you will now, that living in a Muslim country has it's challenges. I won't go into religion but will speak on some of the nuisances that are a result of it.  

BACON ! I LOVE BACON!

              "Well to bad Jack not in Oman"

The other day an Expat buddy of mine who is also here with his wife and 4 young boys told me a story that sums this up.

Sitting in his home waiting for his boys to return from school my buddy has some bacon cooking which he bought from the "pork store here in Salalah" I write about that more later. his oldest burst in the front door takes a whiff and says.... 

 "Dad it smells like America what is that"

After my buddy had a good laugh and thought about the proclamation his eldest boy had just made he responded "pork".

this is a small example of life overseas more to follow in future post...

   





Beautiful Beach

 Hasik, Oman

The beaches here in Oman are beautiful, most are untouched!

Khor Rori, Oman

My son Caleb and I taking in the view at Khor Rori Archaeological site in Oman. My family and I arrived here recently during the Khareef which is the rainy season here in Oman. To date we are still getting settled and figuring things out. I have always wanted to live and work overseas and with this assignment I have been to accomplish that. Having my family with me is icing on the cake...