Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Weekend!!!!

I'm deliriously happy that it's Wednesday. In three hours I'll be completing the world's LONGEST working week. It felt like forever. Just a quick note because I have no time to blog. The government wasted so much money setting up the traffic lights at Salalah's busiest roundabout (near the Royal Air Force base?) and they F.A.I.L.E.D miserably. They've switched them off now because they were causing so many traffic jams. Why wasn't it better planned? How are they going to solve the traffic problems in Salalah? Build bridges? What a mess.
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Meanwhile, a reader wrote to me asking for a photo of the famous Omani/Dhofari sandwich (described in my profile) and I felt obliged to post it on Dhofari Gucci. This is what most Dhofari families take on picnics and eat at home as a snack when there's nothing else in the kitchen. It may look plain disgusting but it's actually quite good. I haven't had one for a few years but I'm inspired to go out and find some Chips Oman if they still sell it.
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Have a great weekend!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Divorce

. I'm a little shocked. In fact, I'm really shocked. THREE people I know got a divorce this week. THREE. Why has marriage/divorce become so easy in Salalah/Oman nowdays? I was just talking to a friend on the phone half an hour ago and she gave me everyone's divorce news. As I was talking to her, I received a text message from another friend telling me 'Did you hear that so & so got a divorce? On the third day of Eid!'. Need I mention that all three cases were results of an arranged marriage? Two of the cases involve a very young baby (six months in one case, eight months in the other). The third couple didn't have kids, thank goodness. But, hey, seriously, if you have a six month old baby, are you seriously going to consider divorce? What's going to happen to the child? Obviously the kids live with their mothers, but what kind of a life is that? A young child needs 'parents'. Two.
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Another point worth mentioning is that both women got pregnant immediately after the wedding. Umm... hello? If you're marrying a stranger (i.e arranged marriage), wouldn't you want to wait a bit before getting pregnant? Wouldn't you want to figure out if you can really live with your partner and if it's safe to have kids? So many young people realize from the beginning that they have serious relationship problems and they dumbly assume that if they have a child, all their problems will be gone. Like magic.
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It saddens me to see how people of my generation see divorce as just another option. I get married, I get divorced, I get married again, I get divorced ... 3adi. So many young men especially threaten divorce if they have ANY small argument with their wives. I know so many young women who suffer from husbands who threaten divorce on a monthly basis. They use it as a weapon. Whether they mean it or not doesn't matter. All that matters is that the couple will never have stability in their marriage if the women is on her tiptoes 24/7 waiting for him to explode again and threaten divorce.
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Society in Salalah has real issues with choosing 'the right partner' for marriage. It's taboo to get to know members of the opposite sex before marriage, but how else are you supposed to know if the person is right for you or not? We CANNOT depend on parents' advice when choosing a partner anymore. My generation has different requirements and needs when it comes to marriage. As I mentioned in my Internet Dating post (see below), I have no respect for young men who go to their mothers and announce 'Mama, I'm ready for marriage. Find me a wife'. It just doesn't work anymore. Look around you. The divorce statistics are frightening in Dhofar. I can't remember exactly where I read this, but last year in Dhofar, 64% of new marriages ended in divorce during the first year. 64%. I will say no more.
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I don't have much time for blogging today. I'll have to write about this topic in depth some other time. Keep one thing in mind; divorce is frustrating, sad, and painful. It should be the last option; never the first.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Eid - Part 2

Hey everyone. It was stupid of me to think I would find the time during Eid to blog, but hey,.. I'm doing my best! For those who have no idea what Eid is, it's the three-day holiday (in Muslim countries) to celebrate the end of Ramadan and a month of fasting. Eid is all about feasting, spending time with relatives and neighbors, sometimes exchanging gifts, and just having fun. Eid in Salalah basically involved visiting every single relative you have (that means hundreds of people). It also involves opening your house/majlis to every single relative and neighbor you have and being 'available' and dressed-up 24/7. It's funny that Dhofaris offer the exact same things in their majlis; three jugs of Tang artificial crap drink, Danish cookies, coffee, tea, nuts, toffees, Omani Halwa (a traditional sweet), and a bowl of fruit. This goes on for three or four days non-stop. Some families have become more creative and are actually baking their own cakes and cookies. I've visited about 12 homes in the past 48 hours and I'm only half-way through my list. Do you have ANY idea how exhausting that is? From house to house: 'Eid Mubarak, how are you? How is your mother? How is your father? How is your sister? How is your brother? What is new? What is goin' on? How're y'all doin?'. Listening to people's news for 12 hours a day is interesting but at the end of the day (i.e 1 a.m ) you collapse into bed and have the strangest dreams involving your neighbors being eaten up by bears and your great-aunt feeding you your 100th cookie. Sigh. What do you do during Eid? What are your family traditions? For those of you who do not live in a Muslim country, how do you celebrate Eid?

Monday, September 21, 2009

Eid - Part 1

Eid Mubarak Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Quick Note

Busy busy busy ... I'm brainstorming my Eid post. Still shocked about the schools being postponed until November. I can't believe elementry school isn't starting until the end of November. Middle school early November. High school October. Wow. Muscat Festival cancelled. H1N1 still going strong. 18 official deaths.
I read an interesting article about a Dutch farmer (in Holland) who started up a camel farm and is busy selling camel milk all over Holland! I'm surprised the camels are surviving. Yes, there is no snow in Holland but its' rainy and chilly most of the year. I'm going to try and scan it so I can post it up here.
Tell me what your Eid preparations are?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Salalah Driving - Part (2)

My reader has said it all. This comment on my previous Ramadan Driving post was too good not to share.
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" Hey, as an expat here in Salalah I have to say that this place has the worst drivers of any I've ever seen, including Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, West Africa and China. Well done! .
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WHY can't people here judge distances and speeds of oncoming cars when they pull out?

WHY can't people use their indicators. Do they think that other drivers are psychic and can guess their intentions.
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WHY the hell would you over take on the left a vehicle which is turning to the left?
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WHAT IN THE WORLD makes the people here so addicted to using their mobile ohones while driving? Sure, people all over the world do this, but Dhofaris seem to wait until they get into a car to start phoning people. As a cautionary measure, they'll slow down. on a highway. In a 120km zone. That's safe.
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AND WHAT THE HELL IS IT WITH KIDS. People, your children are precious. They are not protected from car accidents by some magic voodoo. And they distract you. Put them in the back with seatbelts on, not on your lap while driving. And not, as I saw the other day, in the back of your sideless pick-up truck going round the clock roundabout at 60 k an hour. The two children in question here were both younger than 6, I'd say. Maybe their parents didn't want them any more?
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AS FOR THE COMMENTS ABOVE from an outsider's perspective, almost all the problems in this region stem from your menfolk. Women rock! This particularly applies to driving. Every single case of unbelievable stupidity behind the wheel has been a man in my experience. the few women drivers I encounter are cautious, sure, but not unsafe or idiotic or selfish or distracted.
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And I'm sure they didn't aquire their licenses out of a cornflakes packet, which is where I think the majority of Dhofari mens licences come from. Especially those belonging to 12 year old boys and ancient bearded mountain men in pick-up trucks who seem to exist in a parrallel trafic universe.....My rant for the day!! Thanks for the opportunity!"
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Dear Reader, thanks for your rant. You made my day. I was getting around to writing about driving in Salalah, but you've done it for me. However, you forgot to mention the people who flash their lights at you and speed like maniacs, yet you both end up at the roundabout or traffic lights at the SAME TIME. You also forgot to mention the people who pass you on a one-lane road that is no longer than 100 metres, just to get to the intersection before you do. Also, my last rant is about men who proceed to put on their turbans WHILE DRIVING during morning rush hour. They're controlling the steering wheel with their knees on a highway and first they get out their lime-green plastic combs and comb their hair, then they put on their turbans. Sometimes I wish I had ready-made signs in my car that I can wave at other drivers when needed. Examples:.

Sign (1) : would be"LOSER".
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Sign (2) would be "Flash all you like. I'm not moving".
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Sign (3) would be 'Life is precious you jerk".
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Sign (4): would be 'Just because you have a 35,000 Rial Lexus doesn't mean I'm going to let you pass'.
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Sign (5): would be "I.N.D.I.C.A.T.E'
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More suggestions?

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Ramadan Driving

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Do I really need to comment? Nah!
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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Eid Hell

Shopping ... in ... Salalah ... Before ... Eid ... is .... HELL.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Coffee

I'm craving a cup of coffee. C.R.A.V.I.N.G. Thus, I cannot write. How can I be creative without my dose of caffiene? Ahh.. Ramadan. I'm brainstorming ideas for my next post. How about 'Why We Need More Cafes in Salalah!'.... or 'Coffee in Oman' ... or ....... something to do with coffee. Maybe later on a little polygamy or 'the dowry problem' in Dhofar. I'll think about it.
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This photo was taken up past Zaik (ADG: Go Team Zaik) in the mountains. The fog has cleared and we can now see! I'm visiting Darbat valley tomorrow if I can get someone to take me (see photo on right). Have a great weekend. Peace.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Dating in Oman - Part 2

For anyone interested in reading more about the subject from an Omani's point of view, I recommend reading the latest post in 'Keeping it Real in Oman'.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Attention Bloggers: Blogs by Omanis & Expats in Oman

To all interested bloggers, Oman Forums are trying to set up a forum for blogs by Omanis & Expats in Oman. If you're interested in adding your blog to the list, send an email with your blog to abufaisal@omanforum.com. I'm supporting this idea because I'm interested in finding other blogs in Oman. I recommend My Reservoir of Thoughs, Um3azzan's Thoughts, Keeping it Real in Oman, Sting's Vantage Point, Faith's blog, Muscat Confidential, Muscat Mutterings, A Muggle's Tale, Blue Chi, Sew Chic & Unique, etc. These are the blogs I follow regularly in English. The Arabic dudes are another list! Or, if you want your blog added to the forum but don't feel like emailing, just let me know you agree and I'll inform OmanForum.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Internet Dating - Oman

Drumroll, the post is finally here! This post is dedicated to Zain because she was the first to choose my next topic. I'm writing about internet dating/secret relationships in Dhofar, because I can only write about things I'm 100% sure of. I cannot speak for the rest of Oman because who knows? Don't attack me here; I'm just writing about what I've experienced and seen and what I know. Where do I start? How about the relationships between men and women in Dhofar? That sounds right.
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Society in Salalah is extremely conservative, and by conservative I mean that until very recently (10 years?) men almost never saw any women who weren't very close relatives. When girls turned 10 or 11, they were told 'Enough playing with boys. You're grown up now'. Girls never go anywhere without an escort. Women stay at home, and whenever any woman (over the age of about 18) goes out, she has the burqa *face veil* on. Girls and boys go to seperate schools, and even when they go to college it's hard to interact with members of the opposite sex! Has anyone been to Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat? Until very recently there were seperate halls for boys and girls! Any young woman caught talking to a guy outside class was sent a warning note. I saw it with my own two eyes. I went to SQU with a team (consisting of men and women) and an administrator approached me (thinking I was a student) and told me to not walk around with guys and didn't I know the rules? I was completely shocked. I was there on business! She didn't even check if I was a student! I assume things are a little different now, but that was a shocker for me. That was four years ago.
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So, let's thinking logically here. When you're told 'No, you can't do this', what's the first thing you do? Of course, you start telling yourself ' I must do this!'. الممنوع مرغوب Relationships between unmarried/unrelated men and women are so taboo that most young Omanis want to try it. I'm not talking about getting into bed with them; what I mean is that females and males are curious to know what it's like to befriend members of the opposite sex. Especially the age group (15-25) .. and yes those are my own statistics. But how is that possible when they're never left alone? How are they supposed to meet guys? The answer is: They Don't. From an Islamic point of view, young people aren't even allowed to think about members of the opposite sex until they get married. Well, welcome to the real world where girls as young as 13 and 14 are watching Desperate Housewives, Friends, and romantic Western movies. You think they're all watching this crap and not thinking about guys? You think young people are virtuous individuals who refuse contact with members of the opposite sex? Of course not. How about the young YOUNG guys who get their hands on porn at the tender age of 12 or 13? Yes, in Salalah. Our modern world does not encourage virtue, sadly. Yet, Salalah does not encourage such relationships. Many parents in Salalah monitor their daughters' phones, to ensure they're not carrying on a relationship with a guy/several guys. So how do they do it? *drumroll* ... The I.N.T.E.R.N.E.T.
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With all due respect to Dhofaris, we've got to face the fact that most parents (the ones over the age of 40-50) are uneducated. There were no schools when they were young, so they're almost forgiven. Parents are not educated enough to know that having a television and computer in a teenager's bedroom is dangerous. Meanwhile, the generation of current teenagers/young people are so technologically advanced that they have one two even three cell phones, a television set with every channel in the book, a laptop, a secret internet modem, etc, etc. They're all wired up and ready to take on the world. The difference between my generation and my parents' generation is beyond scary.
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My friends who went to colleges in Oman said that during their years at university, the main event was 'chatrooms'. For example, guys and girls from the Salalah College of Technology would log on to certain chatrooms (ever tried Ali Baba?) and spend 4, 5, 6 hours a day chatting with one another. Of course, their parents don't know (they just thought their kids were doing homework on the PC), and hey, it was fun because they were talking to guys in a virtual world. But these were real guys who went to class with them! Of course, they never used their real names. The game was to figure out who went by which nickname in chatrooms. They wasted so much time, but it was exciting for them. Their only real contact with guys. Of course, through these chatrooms, there was attraction. Guys and girls would branch off into private chatrooms and spend hours getting to know one another without even exchanging names. Finally, the guy would say 'I love you', and the dumb naive girl would totally fall for it and think she'd found the love of her life (don't laugh, it's real). They would email and chat for a while, then he'd ask for her number. She'd refuse several times then she'd agree and give it to him (thinking he was the love of her life). He'd play around for a while and they'd talk on the phone to the early hours of the morning. Finally, he'd dump her OR he'd go telling his pals that he was 'talking' to the daughter of so and so. That's Salalah's worst nightmare; ruining a girl's reputation. Any girl who has 'talked' to a guy is socially considered a slut. Excuse my French but welcome to Salalah. Hey, did someone forget to mention that over 80% of girls in this town have had at least one 'secret' relationship? In fact, arranged marriage is becoming extinct. Girls and guys have decided to find their own life partner. Someone they like, and someone they want to share their life with. It's their right, yeah? Not in Salalah it ain't. It's so taboo that young people are forced to make it 'secret'. It's a daily struggle in our town, and something we cannot deny.
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I know of an American researcher who studied the concept of phone/internet dating in Oman. Most of his research was done in Muscat, but a friend of mine helped him study Salalah. I think he held about 80 anonymous questionnaire interviews in Dhofar, and the results were a little astonishing. Only 2 out of the 80 stated that they had never spoken to a guy/girl before on the phone, etc. He targeted young people in the age group (18-25). No kidding.
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Enlightening Anecdotes:
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Note: I've changed a couple of details to conceal the identity of the victims (!):
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(1) Girl falls in love with guy through Al Sabla forum. They watched each other's comments for a while then he asked for her email address, and she agreed of course. Soon, they exchanged phone numbers and thought they were in love. He wanted to marry here, but they both knew their families would never agree because she was in Salalah and he was from another part of Oman (yes, that's taboo too). He convinced her to run away from home and come with him. She ... AGREED. Did I forget to mention that she was only 19 years old? She started planning her escape. It was all perfect. Thank goodness, dude dumped her a week before the planned escape. This story is true.
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(2) My fifteen year-old cousin, I discovered, has a very active internet life. Want to know how I discovered this? She asked me about a colleague of mine at work (29-year-old man). I was like 'Why the hell are you asking about him?'. Her answer was 'Oh, he hasn't appeared on chat for a few days and I was beginning to worry about him'. She said is so normally. As if there was nothing wrong with what she was saying. Hello! This girl is FIFTEEN! And my colleague is a 29-year-old married man with two kids. It's not his fault, he probably doesn't know how old she is and I'm not going to discuss the fact that he may be cheating on his wife. It's not my cousin's fault. She's a dumb teenager. I personally think that it's her parents' fault. Why does she have a laptop in her bedroom? Do they not understand how dangerous that is for teenagers? I spoke to her older sister and told her to deal with it. I wasn't ready to get involved, nor was I ready to ignore it. I don't want to see that kid get hurt.
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(3) My friend discovered that her 17-year-old sister was carrying on a relationship with a guy she saw once at the Salalah Tourism Festival. He was working at one of the booths and gave her his email address. They emailed and chatted for a couple of months, then exchanged phone numbers. Furthermore, my friend discovered that her sister was sending him photographs of herself via MMS. Do I need to mention that these photographs were without her hijab on? Hello? Again, where are the parents?? I gave my friend a long talk about not allowing teenagers to spend too much time alone and to watch their behaviour. My friend was so upset and didn't know what to do; whether to tell her parents or talk to her sister or confront the guy.
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(4) A girl I knew very well in high school dropped out of college for a whole semester in her third year. Are you ready for the reason? Her parents discovered that she was in love with a guy at college and they were talking on the phone. So, they pulled her out of college and locked her up at home for a semester hoping that'll teach her a lesson. Furthermore, they took her cell phone away. Is that the way to deal with it, mom and dad? Sounds like a recipe for trouble.
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(5) I'm not even going to start discussing the Dhofari Facebook Phenomenum. That's going to need a seperate post.
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(6) I'm telling you honestly that about 75% of the girls I know have had a 'secret' boyfriend at some point over the past couple of years. This would sound perfectly normal if we were in ... Chicago. But, hey, we're in S.a.l.a.l.a.h. We're trying to hold on to the traditions and values we grew up with. I hate it when teenagers throw these values away.
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And hey, don't accuse me of being 'against' guys and girls talking. I'm totally with it, if both parties are mature enough to handle it. I studied with guys abroad and got used to them as 'human beings'. I don't feel the need to carry on a secret relationship. I work with men, and I enjoy it. Furthermore, I'm against arranged marriages and believe that young people in Salalah should have the chance to get to know people in order to find their life partner. I would never trust anyone else with that decision. I can never understand young men who go to their mother and say 'Mamma, I'm ready for marriage. Find me a wife'. It happens here a lot, but I think it's crazy (and yes, that is my own personal point of view).
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Of course, not all of this is negative. Many of my friends fell in love with colleagues at work or from college and talked to them for months/years using a secret phone number that their parents didn't know about (girls are smart). I'll give the example of one of my close friends who did the exact same thing with the colleague at work and secret phone number, etc. When the guy was ready financially for marriage and had discussed it with his parents, he proposed to the girl's father claiming he heard about his daughter and her family and maybe had seen her once or twice. Of course, his speech was perfect because the girl had given him pointers on what her dad likes to hear. Father agrees, wedding date is set, they got married, and are living happily with two young kids. They're perfect for one another, and I love seeing them together. Is what they did bad? Of course not. Not in my point of view anyway.
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So, I'm not here to complain. I need some sort of conclusion. I think parents need to wake up and realize that no matter what they do, their teenagers and older kids are going to want to talk to members of the opposite sex, secretly or openly. Nothing they do can stop them unless they tie them to the bed with chains. This is reality. It hurts, but let's face it. Why not educate teenagers about dealing with members of the opposite sex? How are young girls supposed to know when a guy is playing around with them and when he's serious? Parents still haven't figured out that they need to talk to their kids about dealing with the opposite sex, about relationships, dating, love, marriage, where Islam stands, etc. Otherwise, the kids are going to go out and do it anyway without being educated. Let's avoid all the hurt, pain, and problems and try some preventive treatments. Instead of ignoring the situation, we have to deal with it.
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Finally, I beg of you, help me spread the word and get those computers out of teenagers' bedrooms. Also, why not toss the TV out too? Keep an eye on what your kids/siblings are watching. There is no need for a 16-year-old Omani Muslim girl to worry about who's sleeping with who on Desperate Housewives. It's breaking up society and causing serious problems in families. If you haven't educated your kids about all these things, then don't blame them later when they screw up. Parents are responsible. Furthermore, I think anyone over the age of 21 is old enough to decide what they want to do in life, so let them be, but keep an eye on the teenagers. The more you educate them, the less they'll suffer in the future. I keep on telling my friends 'Talk to your younger siblings. If your parents are too shy to do it, then it's your responsibility!". And yes, some of them have done it, and were astonished to discover that their siblings (girls especially) were relieved to have somone to talk to about these things. Build trust. Teach them about the beauty of Islam and why these things are forbidden. Explain the logic.
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I'm interested to know what your comments are. Remember, this post is about what I've seen, what I feel, and the stories are real. Don't attack me. I'm an honest writer, and my goal is to discuss real issues. Tell me what you think, and if you've figured out any unique methods of dealing with this situation, let me know. Readers' feedback is what keeps me going. Post your comments below, and if you feel more comfortable, email me: dhofari.gucci@gmail.com Any interesting suggestions may lead to more posts. Many of my post ideas come from readers.
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Thanks for surviving the world's longest post. Peace.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Fear Not for I Am Here!

Yes, I know I promised you a post on Internet Dating on Wednesday, but given the fact that the my eyes decided to rebel and refuse any contact with computer screens for at least 48 hours, I had to avoid writing over the weekend. However, I am back and Insha'allah you'll get your post today. Peace.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

H1N1 - Part Three

Ok, everyone, I've decided to write about Internet Dating & H1N1 today. During the next week or so I'll write about the rest of the topics in the list. Thanks for participating in my dilemma. Your comments inspired me. It's all coming, don't worry. And Jeff, I'm gathering information about the rebellion. I need to know more before I write. Too many people I know fought in the rebellion. Anyway, my first post for today is about H1N1. Here it goes.. If capital letters offend you, don't read this.
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Unless the situation gets worse, this is going to be my last post on H1N1 this month. You might be asking yourself 'Why all these posts about the flu?'.. Well, my answer is: Because people are DYING. In Salalah. On a regular basis. And guess what? I know a couple of the families who lost loved ones to swine flu during August. The official death toll is 10 so far. That doesn't include the 'unofficial' numbers, whatever they happen to be.
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A seminar/press conference/whatever was held in Salalah a couple of days ago by the Director General of Health in Dhofar, the Undersecretary to the Ministry of Health and God knows who else. I wasn't there, but a friend of mine went and sent me details. Evidently the audience were outraged, the speakers were being dull, and there was tension. The purpose of the seminar was to discuss the latest H1N1 developments in Salalah and to explain to the public the reasons for the deaths, etc. They started off by explaning the symptoms and how to wash your hands with soap and water (zzzzz....) then explained about how to deal with H1N1 on the Hajj this year in Mecca. Yup, three million people crowded into one space. Perfect.
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The funny thing is that the speakers explained that the people who died had left it too late and should have come to the hospital earlier. Hello? We were told NOT to go to the hospital because it was dangerous. Doctors told us to flippin 'stay home'! Anyway, they explained that there is no H1N1 vaccine yet, but that it would be available by the end of the year after being tested.
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The Ministry of Health stated that it was doing its best to control the spread of the flu. Sorry, dudes, but I don't agree. I went to the hospital a couple of times over the past month. The nurses are NOT wearing masks and gloves. Only some of them are. They are touching patients and objects with their hands then they go and touch another patient without washing. People come in with swine-flu like symptoms, the doctors in emergency do the nose and throat swab, take their temperature and blood pressure (that's the standard H1N1 test), then they FREAKING send them HOME and say wait for the results. The results come after six days. During those six days that person could have spread swine flu to a hundred people! The doctors don't even advise them to stay home. And don't tell me they do, because several people I know went, had swine flu, but spent a week spreading it before they got the call from Sultan Qaboos Hospital saying 'Oh, you're H1N1 positive. Better come back'. A WEEK.
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The DG of Health in Dhofar said there are 900 cases on Oman (tell me another one!), and 300 cases in Dhofar (w.h.a.t.e.v.e.r). He stated that half the cases in Dhofar were treated at the hospital and the other half were told to stay home. He said there are 32 patients in induced-comas at the hospital and six in intensive care.
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My friend told me that many people in the audience were school principals. Obviously it makes sense that they should come because schools open up after Eid, and the principals have to deal with the headache of swine flu spreading in schools. I'll keep my fingers crossed for them.
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A journalist from the audience asked the undersecretary why they weren't specifying in the newspaper the towns where people died. The answer was 'because it's no use'. What the HELL do they mean by 'no use'??! Isn't it the people's right to know the places that are most affected? I mean, here in Salalah, we know we're the danger zone of Oman because news of deaths spreads immediately, but shouldn't the rest of the country know? Maybe ... you know ... they'd like to 'AVOID' coming here?! Was the government afraid of stating that Dhofar was worse because they didn't want to lose tourists? Don't tourists have the right to stay alive?
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Ok, here's the funny part. The speakers stated that the lung infection that has been spreading in Dhofar is completely normal and it due to the cold weather (what cold?!). The next day sources from the Diwan (Royal Court) say that lung infections are an advanced stage of H1N1. Go ahead, google it, lung infections ARE an advanced stage of H1N1. People ... are ... dying.
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Oman's hush-hush policy cannot help at this time. People need to know the truth. People need to feel the urgency. People need to know more. People need to protect themselves and their families.
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On a final note, I was told that our dear Mufti, Sheikh Al Khalily (our top religious man in the country) advised citizens to avoid congregating in the mosques during Ramadan to avoid spreading H1N1. Is that true? If it is then kudos to Al Khalily for thinking logically!
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Ok, enough outrage. I'm off to brainstorm my internet dating post. Cheers.
PS: I received this comment immediately from a reader:
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" Salaam Nadia, Thank you so very much for keeping the people informed to the best of your knowledge, someone needs to! I can personally attest to what you are saying. Seven days ago my son woke up one morning with a fever of 40C, I was terrified, he is only 2, and he has never had such a high fever. My initial fear was H1N1 so I had my husband bring him to the Dr. that morning to give us some answers.
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We were told he had the stomach flu and given three medications including an antibiotic. I was so angry when my husband brought him back with the diagnosis of "stomach" flu. We all eat the same thing, no one is suffering. I wasn't convinced. My son's condition was not improving after 24 hours of medicine so I had my husband bring him back. This time we were told to give him a lukewarm bath to bring his fever down etc. My son was back home, high fever and not himself. I kept reading about H1N1 and told my husband finally to demand he be tested for it. We were then referred to the Sultan Qaboos hospital after almost 5 excruciating days, where one day he seemed to be improving, and then the next hour his fever shot up and he retreated to bed. I went to Sultan Qaboos hosp. myself with all three kids and I demanded they do the swab but was turned down because it was "expired". Livid wouldn't even describe my outrage. The hospital was literally PACKED with sick children. The womens side had at least 40-50 women each with a child in their arms.
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We were of handedly prescribed Tamiflu and told to give it to all our children. By Allah's mercy and Dua'a my son is doing better, although he still has a ferocious cough. I am still not satisfied. I am angry that not enough was done in the beginning and that we have been poorly informed. My son could have died. We are all avoiding the masjid and public places. Everyone should do the same. H1N1 affects each person differently, and you would not want to fall victim of the system and not get properly treated. My sons are still not at 100% as I mentioned they still have a cough. They will stay home the rest of Ramadan just in case they really do have H1N1.Also please tell your readers that it is SO true about the Doctors. This was my first experience at the hospital and I was sooo shocked. As the Dr. was giving us a consultation, another Dr. walks in and informs "our" Dr. that Dr. "so-and-so" just died, not sure the reason, but potentially H1N1. WTH??I nearly fainted. My only solace is in Allah the Merciful.Everyone must take precautions, be your own advocate. We must not pretend that everything is okay. Salalah is a place where family stays together all the time, eat, sleep etc the flu can easily spread.My humble advice: STAY HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLEplease make dua'a for the countless children who are suffering.your sister - YF"
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Thank you YF for your comment. People need to hear real experiences. I pray that your children get better and do not have H1N1, and I pray that no more people die. Ameen.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Topic Dilemma

Still over-worked. In fact, I'm so over-worked that I can't even decide what my next post is going to be about. Help me here!
  • - H1N1 conference held in Salalah two days ago?
  • - Young Dhofaris & Arranged Marriages
  • - Funeral Wailing
  • - Polygamy
  • The 'Secret' Relationships & Internet Dating in Oman
Suggestions anyone?