The adventure continues....

Life has been especially hectic for me in recent weeks. I apologize for not having updated lately. Suffice it to say that I have survived turbulence at work, in the classroom, on the highway, in the air (not in flight but rather in atmosphere), in my soul, and in general....I have spent some time being sick this past month, which I did not enjoy either and which contributed to the turbulence. The only thing that has helped me remain sane is my darling husband (even when I wanted to smack him upside the head), my/our friends, Skyping and phone calls with my family, and the garden we have been constructing together inside our villa walls. I can't wait to post photos! Getting a horse is on hold right now. But we are thinking about a dog. I am quite certain it is sure that I will be here at least one more year (knock on wood). I have to take care of some business here and at home and money is much more plentiful here, sad to say. In any case, I am feeling better and more positive, and with Eid Al-Adha looming large, we have planned a road trip to OMAN! We are so excited!!

We will fly to Dubai early Sunday morning (3 a.m.) and rent a car, drive to Al Ain, stop in to see/meet a friend there (much like we did when we went to Egypt having been friends with Maryanne for years and finally meeting her)...Lynn is a new friend, a fellow Midwesterner from Wisconsin. We will stock up on supplies like water, fruits, veggies, snacks, etc. before crossing the border at Al Buraimi into Oman and heading for the northern coast. I have heard a lot about Oman and have been afraid to go there for this reason: I might fall in love with it and not want to leave! But it is close and cheap to travel there, so we can go back often if we want. Here is a link for more info until we are able to post pics and report on it ourselves:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oman

My students are a bit worried about me that I might not know a jinni (genie) if I see one and it might cast a spell on me. :) I was advised NOT to pet cats (especially at sunset) as the jinn are known to transform themselves into animals, even humans, or other shapes to trick humans. :) One of them seriously advised that we should not go to Nizwa because this area has a lot of jinn/ghosts. He knows I don't like horror movies. :) They are all so sweet, worried about me. I guess Oman is known for magic and spells. Here is a link about jinns, fascinating stuff really!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn

I'll let you all know if I see any!! :) Don't worry. I will be very careful not to upset any jinns. I'm hoping I'll meet a good one who might grant me a few wishes! :)

Actually, we plan to go where the breeze blows. If we find a place we like, we'll stay (even if it means camping on the beach). If we feel like moving on and seeing more, we will. If we feel like a nap in the sun, we'll take a nap. If we feel like a hike in the mountains, we can do that, too (though not too far!). I plan to avoid the desert...enough of that here. :) I'm also hopeful we might be able to rent a dhow (pronounced like the English word though) and take a spin in the Gulf of Oman. It is said the dolphins like to cavort alongside the dhows, so that would be a grand treat! The thing I am looking forward to the most is the ADVENTURE of a real road trip, seeing what we have never seen before (even if it turns out to be a jinni!). I can't wait. We will only be there 5 days, returning next Thursday. Who knows what we will see, who we will meet, what we will do?

So, stay tuned. The adventure does continue! :)