English Teacher in Oman
Rural Oman
2011-2012
Background
We often took trips to Barka itself, or via Barka to Muscat from where we lived in Rustaq, and later Al Musannah. Barka had a Lulu's and KFC, and was closer than Muscat, so we often went to do some shopping or just get something to eat.
Near Barka, there was also the Al Fulaij castle theatre who hosted traditional dance shows. We went twice with colleagues from Rustaq College to have an evening out. We usually combined it with dinner at a restaurant in Barka.....dinner and a show. Some of the traditional dance shows we watched, included Turkish and Iraqi dance troops visiting and performing in Oman.
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Fort ruins - Barka
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About Oman
Oman,
officially the Sultanate of Oman, is an Arab country on the southeastern coast
of the Arabian Peninsula. Holding a strategically important position at the
mouth of the Persian Gulf, the country shares land borders with the United Arab
Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the
southwest, and shares marine borders with Iran and Pakistan.
From the late 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was a
powerful empire, vying with Portugal and Britain for influence in the Persian
Gulf and the Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence or
control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan,
and as far south as Zanzibar (today part of Tanzania, also former capital).
As
its power declined in the 20th century, the sultanate came under the influence
of the United Kingdom. Historically, Muscat was the principal trading port of
the Persian Gulf region. Muscat was also among the most important trading ports
of the Indian Ocean. Oman is an absolute monarchy.
The Sultan Qaboos bin Said
al Said has been the hereditary leader of the country since 1970. Sultan Qaboos
is the longest-serving current ruler in the Middle East, and
sixth-longest current reigning monarch in the world.
Oman has modest oil reserves, ranking 25th globally.
Nevertheless, in 2010 the UNDP ranked Oman as the most improved nation in the
world in terms of development during the preceding 40 years.
A significant
portion of its economy is tourism and trade of fish, dates, and certain
agricultural produce. This sets it apart from its neighbors’ solely
oil-dependent economies. Oman is categorized as a high-income economy
(Wikipedia).
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| Camels - The road between Rustaq and Barka |
Rustaq to Barka road scenery
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| The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| Stopping for a snack |
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| Mini-supermarket |
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| A minibus taxi ahead of us - The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| Camel - The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| Camel - The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| Camel - The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| Camel - The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| Camels - The road between Rustaq and Barka |
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| Camels - The road between Rustaq and Barka |
Barka
About Barka
Barka (Arabic: بركاء) is a coastal city in the region Al Bāţinah, in northern Oman.
Nearby is Bait Na'aman (Nu'man), a four-towered fort of the 17th-century iman Bil'arab bin Sultan, renovated in 1991. The town is also known for "bull butting," a pushing contest between specially raised great Brahmin bulls, and for its halwa confectionery.
Barka Fort is a known tourist sport. It holds up its tradition and culture in all fields of life. Barka Souq, near to the beach is an economically important area.
There are two major resorts in Barka, the Al-Sawadi resort and the Al-Nahda resort. In addition, a new quarter is now under construction in Barka, called "Blue City" (المدينة الزقاء), located in Sawadi.
The development is 8 km from Sawadi beach, and many international companies are involved in Barka development projects. There is an estimated $15 billion in new construction currently taking place in Barka.
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| Driving towards Barka |
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| Ansu in the KFC |
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| Shopping at Lulu's in Barka |
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| A Barka coffee shop |
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| Barka streets |
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| Mobile phone shop in Barka |
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| Pooh-pooh truck |
Dinner in Barka
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| The Grill House where we enjoyed dinner in Barka |
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| Butter Tikka Chicken Masala dish |
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| Prawn dish |
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| With Nashma and Rita at a restaurant in Barka |
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| Dinner in Barka |
Dance performances at Al Fulaij Castle Theatre
- Constructed at the end of the 18th century by Sir Sultan bin Ahmed bin Said Al Busaidi
- The ground floor contains stores and servers rooms
- The upper floor is reserved for the Owner & his family
- The fort is inside a walled courtyard
- The Felaj penetrates the courtyard and fort from east to west
- A theater was built in the courtyard's eastern corner
- Officially opened on 28 September 1999
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| Al Fulaij castle amphitheater |
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| Iraqi performer |
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| Iraqi performers |
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| Iraqi performers |
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| Iraqi dance performers |
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| Iraqi performer |
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| Turkish dance |
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| Turkish dance performance |
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| Turkish dance performance |
Authentic dinner with an Omani family
Mr. Ali, my bank manager in Rustaq, once invited a couple of teachers to his Barka residence for an authentic Omani meal with his family.
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| Mr. Ali poring tea for us |
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| Mr. Ali poring tea for us |
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| Nashma with one of Mr. Ali's kids |
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| Cake and tea before dinner |
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| Mr. Ali's children |
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| Mr. Ali |
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| Mr. Ali with his youngest child |
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| Omani dish |
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| Nashma dishing up |
