Thursday, November 6th - National Pride showing up

Our weeks are always interesting. There is always something new to see or to discover. On Monday, we went out to a small restaurant called "Yum Yum" to get something to go. Let's say that the menu was quite interesting (see picture below).

Jacqui's cold was still there, so she took Tuesday off work. We obviously did not go to Quiz night that night, but made it on Wednesday. The traffic to get there was unbelievable. It took us about twice as long as it normally does (OK - 10 minutes instead of 5!). The same thing happened on Thursday night as we went out for a walk. Cars are lined up and moving slowly up the street, honking, kids hanging out the windows, music playing, flags and pictures of the Sultan decorating cars, people shouting "Welcome to Oman". Are they getting ready to celebrate the national holiday which is scheduled for later this month, or is it a reaction because the Sultan is back from Germany (he is sick and getting treated there)? I'm not sure, but I know we don't react this way when Stevie H gets back to Canada! The pride that the Omanis have for their country and their love for the Sultan is something to see.

On Thursday, we went out to the Indian embassy to apply for a visitor's visa to India. We are hoping to go to Delhi and to Agrah (to visit the Taj Mahal) at the end of November, during the national holiday. However, since those dates are not yet confirmed and probably won't be until just a few days before the holiday, it makes it hard to plan any travel. So we are now looking at hotels that can be cancelled but not booking any flights yet. That is part of being in the Middle East: you know you will have a holiday, but just don't know when!

Check out the menu - you decide on numbers 4 to 7