Friday, November 19, 2010
National Day
I'm sure I've told you about the National Day celebrations? Yesterday Sultan Qaboos has looked after Oman for 40 years. Lights, flags and pictures of the Sultan are everywhere and we are in the middle of a big celebration! I even think our Queen is coming over next week! We have been working really hard organising the Art Exhibition. The children all produced some beautiful work and I have helped put the show together. It opened last Wednesday evening and I felt really proud to have played my part!!
All the students arrived in National dress and what an array of colour?! The girls looked really stunning wearing bejewelled, dazzling garments and the boys (as young as 5) wore khanjar daggers on their belts!! I dressed up too!!!
All the students arrived in National dress and what an array of colour?! The girls looked really stunning wearing bejewelled, dazzling garments and the boys (as young as 5) wore khanjar daggers on their belts!! I dressed up too!!!
The Winter months!
It's November 19th and I've been relaxing by the pool. 35 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. We are officially enjoying the Winter months! The mornings and evenings are absolutely gorgeous when the temperature drops to low twenties!
I can hardly believe I've been living in Oman, now, for three months, as the time seems to be flying by. And apart from watching Arsenal play football (coutesy of Abu Dhabi TV) I have not watched TV or listened to the radio.... So out of touch, but it feels great!!
I'm slowly building friendships out here....
I can hardly believe I've been living in Oman, now, for three months, as the time seems to be flying by. And apart from watching Arsenal play football (coutesy of Abu Dhabi TV) I have not watched TV or listened to the radio.... So out of touch, but it feels great!!
I'm slowly building friendships out here....
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Getting lost!
There is one main road that runs parallel to the coast line and everyone says you can't get lost in Oman... Well, I can and I do!!! What they don't tell you is that all the little roads off the beaten track look the same! There are no signs, no landmarks, nothing! You can find yourself driving for miles just to get back on to the main road!! Coupled with the fact I'm driving on the wrong side of the road, and the fact that Omani drivers beep you all the time, makes matters ten times worse!! On three occasions I've had to be escorted home!!!
But a car is essential! We are a good 10 minute drive from anywhere, the sun is hot and there doesn't appear to be any public transport!
The good news is cars are really cheap to run and less expensive to purchase compared to UK prices. Most people drive a big 4 x 4 for off road adventures. I've decided, though, it's best for me to hire a driver (or friend) when I venture off road, as it's hard enough for me to focus on the road!!! Focus being the operative word.... I've bought a Ford Focus (from a salesman called Henry!) Quite funny, me being a Ford and all that!
But a car is essential! We are a good 10 minute drive from anywhere, the sun is hot and there doesn't appear to be any public transport!
The good news is cars are really cheap to run and less expensive to purchase compared to UK prices. Most people drive a big 4 x 4 for off road adventures. I've decided, though, it's best for me to hire a driver (or friend) when I venture off road, as it's hard enough for me to focus on the road!!! Focus being the operative word.... I've bought a Ford Focus (from a salesman called Henry!) Quite funny, me being a Ford and all that!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Regis School... A BIG HELLO!
So, so sorry I haven't emailed you all yet? Steph, I tried to email you but it bounced right back? Email, please? Lucy, please give me your email address so we can stay in touch! Dan, where are you? Elliot, have you forgotten me already??? The following have left me their emails and I just haven't got round to writing yet... Sorry! My love to Paige, Adzy, Molly, Tom, Michael, Beth, Nicky, Brooke,Adam, Hannah, Billy,Lucy, Bethany, Katie, Terry, Ruby, Sophie, Sam Rhys, Laura, Dawid, "kempyisdabest", Dan, Gemma, Kristi, Emily, Lily, Georgia, Patrick, Cam, Andrew, Holly, Jade, Kathryn, Dan, Lucia, Liam, Miles, Leanne, Jamie, Stef, Elli, Adam, Rhiannon and Ellie. (Not forgetting the staff) Please email me first on heatheraford@gmail.com because I'd love to hear from you xxx
A touch of Culture!
I get on really well with a lady, called Jane, who knows Oman really well , and she has helped me a lot. Last weekend we went to the most prestigious hotel, called the Al Bastan Palace, for an evening of Spanish dancing, music and song. The whole experience was simply stunning and a few days ago we went to the wonderful Bait Muzna Art Gallery, to the private view of Nja Mahdaoui. His work is absolutely stunning and although he was born in Tunisia and studied in Italy and France, he is influenced by Arabic calligraphy. Amazing work! I absolutely loved it! He has work is all over the world, including the British Museum, and we had the pleasure of meeting him. He even gave us a personalised print!! He couldn't speak a word of English and his daughter became our translator! His website is www.nja-mahdaoui.com How lucky I felt!
The Children
The children here are delightful! Really polite and full of enthusiasm. They seem to like me but I'm not sure how I'm going to remember all their names??! My art room is new so lacks resources, and I know it will take a while to create a vibrant working environment. There is a wealth of natural forms around the campus and it's good to see our gardeners using fallen palm leaves as brooms in the morning!
Missing Home!
Well, it had to come sooner or later... I'm missing home! I'm missing Jaron, my family, close friends, the love and familiarity at BRCC and watching Arsenal on Sky Sports! Getting things organised here is taking time and trying to stay in control of UK stuff is near impossible. I struggle to email everyone important in my life. And moving out here is costing me a fortune!! Last week I cried.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Small world
Thank you, Sumay, for these photographs from our stay in Salalah. They are stunning! Sumay arrived to teach in Oman with me a few weeks ago... Funny to find out she lived at 17, Farm Street, Tintinhull, across the road from the Crown and Vic, in 2008. Small world!!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Camels are everywhere!
The south coast of Oman is breathtakingly beautiful. We journeyed West, along the coastline and witnessedsome wonderful scenic views. The most memorable being a large group of camels walking in the sea along the white sandy shores. Camels are everywhere! It made us laugh when they were sauntering down the middle of the dual carriageway! We took some lovely pictures.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Eid Specials
Finally, the month of Ramadan has come to an end and the celebrations have begun. The Sultan has declared a week's holiday. This time is known as Eid and feels a little bit like Christmas!
There are some fantastic Eid deals to be grabbed, including car sales and holidays. We have just returned from a three night holiday in Salalah, on the south coast of Oman. It's in the tropical region, and at the end of the monsoon season, so it was a lot cooler and greener. The temperature was about 27 degrees and a lot more bearable than the baking hot sun in the north!The drive to the hotel was totally weird because we kept passing camels walking down the dual carriageway taking no notice of any traffic!!!
The palm trees there grow coconuts (We grow dates on palm trees here) and we sampled coconut milk which I have to say is an acquired taste!!!
The hotel was luxurious and we were made to feel very special!!
There are some fantastic Eid deals to be grabbed, including car sales and holidays. We have just returned from a three night holiday in Salalah, on the south coast of Oman. It's in the tropical region, and at the end of the monsoon season, so it was a lot cooler and greener. The temperature was about 27 degrees and a lot more bearable than the baking hot sun in the north!The drive to the hotel was totally weird because we kept passing camels walking down the dual carriageway taking no notice of any traffic!!!
The palm trees there grow coconuts (We grow dates on palm trees here) and we sampled coconut milk which I have to say is an acquired taste!!!
The hotel was luxurious and we were made to feel very special!!
Friday, September 3, 2010
It takes time
Although I'm loving my new life here in Oman and I'm working with some wonderful people, building friendships takes time. I really miss Jaron, my family and my friends. It's near impossible to get skype out here so communication is difficult.
I think it will take me about 6 months to feel properly settled!!
I think it will take me about 6 months to feel properly settled!!
Transport
I am looking in to buying a new car soon. I definitely need transport to get out and about. Cars here are very much in demand as their are few taxis and I've yet to see a bus!! Cars are less expensive than those in the UK and much cheaper to run. There is no tax, fuel costs next to nothing and you insure the car, not the driver, which is about 250 pounds a year. It will cost me 30 pounds to transfer my British licence over to Omani.
National Day
We have a national holiday on the 18th November to celebrate Sultan Qaboos' reign. In fact, he will have been governing Oman for 40 years so this year the celebrations are going to be very special. There will be a big two day event in school with lots of events taking place. I'm involved in the Primary Art display. When the students return to school we will be working on Omani themes and celebrating their culture. We are invited to wear the traditional Omani dress, or saris, and join in with the festivities!
Shopping
After the Iftar meal the town and city centres come alive. All shops open at 7 in the evening and close late at night. The markets are known as "souks", a bustling eclectic mix of Arabian and Indian delights. Oman is famous for it's dates, frankincense and beautiful textiles. The souk in Muttrah is awesome!!
Iftar
The past week has flown by with lots going on. Last week I was invited to an "Iftar" celebration dinner that was organised and prepared by our Year 13 (6th Form) students. The ceremony was wonderful and the young people seemed genuinly happy and pleased to meet us. All the girls looked beautiful in their "abeyahs" (black gowns). Most were wearing jeans underneath! The boys wore the customary dishdasha gowns and khoumas and looked very handsome! The food was delicious and I felt honoured to be there. The Iftar meal takes place every evening, during the month of Ramadan, when the sun has set and the fasting ends.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Swimming and Relaxing!
Our school has a large outdoor swimming pool that is always open to us... A perfect place to unwind after a hard day's work!!
And just when I thought it couldn't get better...
The Dive Centre is beautiful! White sandy beach with crystal clear water! It's a dream location and just when I thought it could not get any better, a lovely couple from Rhode Island in the States, Glenn and Gayle, drove me early the next morning through the old part of Muscat, through enchanting Muttrah and past the Sultan's Palace. The tour was exquisite, the scenery took my breath away!
Settling in...
It has been 11 days since I arrived in Oman and I am settling in to the new way of life like a duck to water! I can hardly believe I have never visited the Middle East before because I feel completely at home here.
You would love the scenery. The mountains are magnificent and are the same colour as ham stone found in Somerset. They glow gold in the sun and stand proud against the blue sky. The region of Muscat lies on the North Oman coast of the Gulf of Oman, between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. Dolphins are often seen jumping out of the water and I'm looking forward to a boat trip when it's not quite so hot.
Talking of boats, the Sultan's School has a sailing club and I have been asked if I'm interested in helping out!!! Of course, I'm jumping at the opportunity... It's a little different to Hayling Island and the Isle of Wight!
Our weekends fall on a Thursday and Saturday, and last Wednesday night I experienced my first ex pat party. The social life is really good and there's always something going on!
Last Thursday five of us visited the Muscat Dive Centre for lunch...
You would love the scenery. The mountains are magnificent and are the same colour as ham stone found in Somerset. They glow gold in the sun and stand proud against the blue sky. The region of Muscat lies on the North Oman coast of the Gulf of Oman, between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. Dolphins are often seen jumping out of the water and I'm looking forward to a boat trip when it's not quite so hot.
Talking of boats, the Sultan's School has a sailing club and I have been asked if I'm interested in helping out!!! Of course, I'm jumping at the opportunity... It's a little different to Hayling Island and the Isle of Wight!
Our weekends fall on a Thursday and Saturday, and last Wednesday night I experienced my first ex pat party. The social life is really good and there's always something going on!
Last Thursday five of us visited the Muscat Dive Centre for lunch...
Friday, August 20, 2010
In the beginning
15th August 2010
It's Sunday evening, 9pm, and I'm sitting in the lounge of my apartment, hardly believing I am here in Oman! I feel so fortunate to have been given this opportunity at this stage in my career.
The people who work and live in the School have made me feel very welcome in such a short period of time and I already know I will be very happy here!!
Thee first thing that struck me when I got off the plane, last Thursday morning, were the heat smell (which were not unpleasant!). As soon as I entered the baggage collection area in Muscat Airport I was met by a friendly Omani girl who helped me through customs with no fuss. The head of primary, Kate Gower, and the prinicipal, Anthony Cashin, were there to meet me, along with nine other new teachers, and a minibus took us from the airport to Al Hail, Seeb and the Sultan's School.
The scenery here is magnificent. The elegant simplicity of the buildings contrast against a backdrop of sand coloured mountains and blue sky. Palm trees and plantation are evident which is a far cry from the desert I was expecting!
The campus has a large area set aside for staff to live. It is like a village and I will be moving in to a brand new villa in October. As I write this I am living in a two bedroom, three bathroom apartment across the road from the school.
The Omani people are kind and hospitable. They are peaceful and care for the environment. It is a law here to keep your cars clean. You have to pay a fine if you drive around in a dirty car! Petrol costs hardly anything. It would cost you about eight pounds to fill your tank! Everyone drives on the right in Oman.
Yesterday, I got my residents card which took about two hours to process. This enables me to travel anywhere in the Middle East and it is more important than my passport. I need to carry it around with me all the time.
Today we had our medicals and I'm hoping all is OK. Our campus has a large, outdoor swimming pool and I have been there everyday since I arrived!
Last Friday evening we had a social at the principal's villaand it was good to meet other colleagues. We have been told that the students don't return until after Ramadan which means I'll have plenty of time to get myself started. We start teaching on 18th September so I have a month to prepare!!!
All the men look resplendant in their dishdashers and khoumas (hats) and this afternoon a man came to talk to us about Islam and being a Muslim. Don't worry I won't be converting, but I'll be teaching and living in a Muslim country so it's really important I know as much as I can about their faith.
In public I have to cover my shoulders and knees but in private anything goes! The food here is lovely, the scenery is spectacular and the weather glorious. The Omani people are extremely generous, there is very little crime and the streets are clean.... I feel like I've won the lottery!!!
It's Sunday evening, 9pm, and I'm sitting in the lounge of my apartment, hardly believing I am here in Oman! I feel so fortunate to have been given this opportunity at this stage in my career.
The people who work and live in the School have made me feel very welcome in such a short period of time and I already know I will be very happy here!!
Thee first thing that struck me when I got off the plane, last Thursday morning, were the heat smell (which were not unpleasant!). As soon as I entered the baggage collection area in Muscat Airport I was met by a friendly Omani girl who helped me through customs with no fuss. The head of primary, Kate Gower, and the prinicipal, Anthony Cashin, were there to meet me, along with nine other new teachers, and a minibus took us from the airport to Al Hail, Seeb and the Sultan's School.
The scenery here is magnificent. The elegant simplicity of the buildings contrast against a backdrop of sand coloured mountains and blue sky. Palm trees and plantation are evident which is a far cry from the desert I was expecting!
The campus has a large area set aside for staff to live. It is like a village and I will be moving in to a brand new villa in October. As I write this I am living in a two bedroom, three bathroom apartment across the road from the school.
The Omani people are kind and hospitable. They are peaceful and care for the environment. It is a law here to keep your cars clean. You have to pay a fine if you drive around in a dirty car! Petrol costs hardly anything. It would cost you about eight pounds to fill your tank! Everyone drives on the right in Oman.
Yesterday, I got my residents card which took about two hours to process. This enables me to travel anywhere in the Middle East and it is more important than my passport. I need to carry it around with me all the time.
Today we had our medicals and I'm hoping all is OK. Our campus has a large, outdoor swimming pool and I have been there everyday since I arrived!
Last Friday evening we had a social at the principal's villaand it was good to meet other colleagues. We have been told that the students don't return until after Ramadan which means I'll have plenty of time to get myself started. We start teaching on 18th September so I have a month to prepare!!!
All the men look resplendant in their dishdashers and khoumas (hats) and this afternoon a man came to talk to us about Islam and being a Muslim. Don't worry I won't be converting, but I'll be teaching and living in a Muslim country so it's really important I know as much as I can about their faith.
In public I have to cover my shoulders and knees but in private anything goes! The food here is lovely, the scenery is spectacular and the weather glorious. The Omani people are extremely generous, there is very little crime and the streets are clean.... I feel like I've won the lottery!!!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
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