Job Discussion Forums

Po · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 5

Hi Forum,

I'll be starting a job in Muscat in August. Been browsing through a few threads. Not overly phased about evident lack of nightlife and 'pick-up' chances, but would be keen on getting together with some musician types (either expats or locals) for occasional jams. Have also heard there is a bit of surf further south so if you can confirm this and would like to hook up for surf exploration then feel free to contact me.
In case you have any valuable advice or tips on any relocation matters then please feel free to offer anything. I am particularly interested in soaking up local culture (music, food, entertainment) and mixing with the locals (local norms notwithstanding). Am I deluding myself that this will happen at any depth?
Ciao,
Po

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Hi,

Oman has more music in its culture than the other Gulf countries. I think this is the effect of their historical colonization of the African coastline down to Zanzibar. They also have a national symphony orchestra with training at a music conservatory. Many years ago I gave lessons to the man who was the director of the section of the Ministry of Information which was dedicated to the preservation of the traditional music and dance of the country.

So... that doesn't sound like what first comes to mind in when one asks about possibilities for jams. But there is an acceptance of music in the culture... and Arabic pop music was popular amongst the students... added to bands in the few clubs. It seems that eventually you should be able to find a few like minds... and the search for them may be half the fun.

Can't tell you about waves... but they are pretty rare according to what people have posted here.

VS

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

Only marginally relevant but VS just prompted a happy memory. When I was in Brunei in the early 90s, there was a thriving African community who used to hold great gatherings - "parties" would be too ordinary a term - where the Master of the Music was an Omani who'd spent his formative years in Zaire.

The African connection in Oman is still strong and music is an important part of it - of all the Gulf countries, Oman is the one where you are most likely to find local musicians to jam with.

Po · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 5

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

As VS has stated waves can be rather scarce but the further south you go the stronger and bigger they get. Salalah can be pretty rough at times.

You can feel free to be topless on any beach in Oman, as you'll be in the company of many topless Omani men and boys playing football on the beach. Some will adhere to the Islamic requirement to be covered from the belly button to the knees while others won't. You'll be fine! Some great "tucked-away" beaches at Jissa, Yitti and Seefa, all of them beyond Muscat with awesome winding roads that take you there. (No 4x4 required!)

The kind of music you're looking for you'll probably only find at the odd festival. Bars and clubs tend to be not so touristy in fact, but actually too "expatish" in my opinion. Doesn't feel "real" if you know what I mean. Most bands and live acts at these places tend to do rock or popular songs from the 70s right through to the present. Some of them really bad... Sad

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Ka`b ibn al-Ashraf · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 11

If there were any "back alley, low-key music venues where one could stumble upon," I would have by now. Thus, I'd say not. I will be person-to-person for you.

Po · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 5

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Aliskander · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 50

I am deeply offended om behalf of most of the people in Oman by the comments made by VS regarding the illeriteracy of some of the people in Oman. Many of the older generation are among the most educated and intelligent people i have come across with more determination and desire to progress than the generation of today. Many of the older generation also went out of Oman seeking education and received a European / western education. To say they are illiterate is extremely rude.

spicegirl · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 112

Of course there are many older, very well educated people in Oman .... many of whom hold high positions in the government, education and commerce.

VS was referring to the many, many older people in Oman in the interior and in small villages who did not have the advantage of education in the past. She's absolutely right about this, in my extensive experience of living and working in Oman.

She was in no way casting any slight on the Omanis, and as you will have seen from her many previous posts, she is one of Oman's greatest supporters and apologists. She loves the country and the people, as I do, and to suggest that she was trying to insult anyone is just plain silly, and looking for grievances where none exist, sorry to say.

Saying that someone is illiterate is a fact, not a value judgement.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Thank you Spicegirl for the kind words. It looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Laughing

As you said, being illiterate is not a value judgement, it is the result of growing up in a poor country with no educational system. Knowing the history of the country and the culture only makes you respect them more for how far they have come in only 35 years.

VS

Aliskander · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 50

Actually i did not get out of bed on the wrong side - and never do. However i also stand by my comments, having lived and worked in Oman for 10 years and having dealt with Omanis from the interior, the mountains and the city.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I guess not all of us have negative connotations of illiteracy or consider it a mark of inferiority as you seem to do...

VS