Job Discussion Forums

Flat Capped · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 19

I'll be on my way in just under two weeks and as my baggage allowance is WAY less than I'd expected, I need to think carefully about what to take.

I was planning on taking some teaching materials (worksheets etc) and my laptop. In terms of clothes, I was intending to take mostly light cotton clothes with a couple of light jumpers/fleeces for cooler evenings. I'm not planning to take a coat and I thought Omani hiking books and sunglasses would be much better suited to the local climate than the ones I use here.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should take? I know most things are available everywhere these days, but it can be very frustrating when they're hard to find or ridiculously expensive.

Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks.

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Clothes are very cheap so take the minimum and buy more (or have them tailor-made) when you arrive.
Never heard of "Omani" hiking boots; you'd better pack your own.

stoth1972 · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject:

Def. take your own hiking boots. If you're a true outdoorsman, you might consider taking some of your camping items...you can buy some camping items in the Gulf, though I can't say I ever saw a set of hiking polls on sale anywhere.

if you like an article of clothing a lot, buy two and bring them both. Water treatment, harsh detergents and drying outdoors can take their toll on your wardrobe. I preferred buying my athletic shoes in the US-more selection, more range in size, price was 'sometimes' better, though not always.

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

The only footwear I have ever seen on an Omani are sandals. So, I suggest that you bring a good pair with you. Same with sunglasses... bring a couple of good pairs that offer good UV protection.

The usual advice is if you have any preferred OTC medications or new/unusual prescription meds, do bring them. I assume that you are male, but if you like to cook, bring your favorite utensils. I also brought sheets and other bedding, just because I preferred them.

I would bring a coat in case you plan to travel during semester break. Many of the close places still have cold weather in the winter.

VS

SandyMan · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Nizwa

If you're an avid reader like me, books.

I'm just back from the UK and I brought about ten new novels with me. You can find a reasonable collection of titles in Muscat but if you're looking for something specific, you've only got Amazon. Though, I heard a rumour that Borders is going to open a book shop in Muscat some time in 2008. Very Happy

Flat Capped · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 19

Thanks for the tips. I was assuming that because Oman was supposed to be a great place for hiking that they'd sell the boots. Maybe one of those cases where the locals don't do it but the expats and visitors do. I'll get some lightweight ones here and take them with me.

I'd love to take some books (I tend to read a lot when I first arrive in a new place) but they may be too heavy. Is it very expensive to send books via Amazon to Oman? If I post something from here to Oman, what are the chances of it getting there?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

i've used Amazon a lot - they actually ship your order out of Germany even if you're ordering on the US website. I have chosen courier delivery, more expensive but it's a 3-4 day turnaround.

I usually place an order with friends, that way we share the cost of the shipping so it's not too bad. There are bookstores and books available in both Oman and UAE but they are expensive and the selection (at least for what I'm interested in) is limited.

There are used book stores in Muscat and UAE - depends on what's available on the day you're in the shop. Lots of teachers swap books amongst themselves. At several colleges I've worked in, you bring the books you've read into the staff room and pick up some that someone else has read. Again, selection is limited but you can pick up some interesting and "quirky" reads you might not have considered if you were parting with cold cash.

SandyMan · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Nizwa

When I used amazon.co.uk, it took 10 days for the books to arrive here in Nizwa. The books were GBP 33.00 and the postage was GBP 22.00.

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

House of Prose - the used book store - used to be near the Sabco Center in Qurm. Does anyone know if it survived the cyclone? It was up on the second floor, but the water got pretty deep in that area...

They always had a pretty decent supply of used books. One could always drive to one their stores in the Emirates on a weekend and fill the trunk. (or boot, if you prefer) When I lived in the Emirates there were no used book stores and I used to drive to the shop in Oman and buy up a big supply.

VS

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

There is a used bookstore in the Emirates now...i think it's in Beach Centre of Jumeirah Beach Rd. in Dubai. It's not huge, but she made great use for the space. I wouldn't make a trip to Dubai just for the bookstore by any means, but it would be worth stopping in.

Tarka_littleotter · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 69 Location: Oman

Hi there,

With regard to the hiking boots, do buy them at home as I haven't seen anything decent out here yet. Word of warning though, I brought my wonderful English ones with me complete with Gortex lining - works wonders in England but if your feet get hot and sweaty out here (which they will) they take an age to dry, so think carefully about what kind of outer and inner you buy!

In terms of books, I always buy through Amazon. You can order them through one of the bookstores in Muscat, although I'm not sure which one (I can find out for you) and they send your order off with theirs meaning you pay a fraction of the postage costs. I'll have to find out more about this though as I've only ever had them sent to friends in England who are coming out in the near future!

When I first came out I flew with Swiss and I was well over my baggage allowance (almost two times over) but I arrived early to check-in with a broad smile and never had a problem booking my bags in or paying for extra weight. That was about 2 years ago though so things may have changed.

I'm now adjusted to the weather and last "winter" saw me in woolly hats and scarves! My first winter was very different! I was still getting used to the temperature and still using my ceiling fans. Last winter I bought a gas heater! I guess you own body temperature will depend on where you've been prior to coming to Oman.

Whereabouts are you going? Need help finding a place to live?

Incidentally, VS, I'm not really sure about the bookstore you mentioned but most of Qurum was hit really badly. I know the ground floor of the CCC was a complete wash out. I'm not sure how the Sebco Centre faired but I think it's open now whereas the CCC is still closed. I may be wrong.

T

Russell Hadd · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 181

I've not been to Oman for a couple of years now but I did buy some boots suitable for walking in the mountains in a large shoe shop near Seeb. It is (or was) in the large rank of shops on the left of the long strip between the airport and Seeb itself (travelling towards Seeb). I can't remember the name of the area I'm afraid but it was popular with expats when I was there.

kuberkat · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Oman

While we await the rumoured arrival of Borders Bookstore in Muscat City Center, the best way to order books is through Amazon.com. Trouble is, the postage can cost more than the books! Enter the solution mentioned above by Tarka. http://www.almanahil-books.com/ is the answer. Details are available on the website. They charge only one rial postage per book, provided you access Amazon from their site.
Which means there's a lot more money left for wonderful books and DVDs and goodies!

Geronimo · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 498

I can endorse Kuberkat's Al Manahil Centre recommendation. This centre has supplied Sohar College with ELT texts as well as supplying personal items to colleagues fairly swiftly and at a reasonable delivery cost.

As a variety of English literature can be a challenge to obtain in Sohar, we have set up a small 'free-and-easy" lending library within Sohar College's English Dept.. A circular requesting that English teachers contribute novels and non-fiction books that they have read and no longer require to this library has resulted in about 100 books being made generally available. These books are stored on a set of bookshelves in one of the English Department's offices. There is no record-keeping involved. Colleagues are simply requested to take out no more than 2 or 3 books at a time, and requested to return them as soon as they have been read. This free system has been running successfully for about 6 months now. Maybe it's a model for other English Departments to copy? Idea

Sohar University's library has an "American Corner" which offers a selection of English literature as well.

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

This is a Gulf tradition. We had such a room at SQU when I arrived there in 1988, but it was in the science department. (which may have explained the large section of science fiction.) When I went to the Emirates, we had bookshelves in the faculty lounge where we did the same. At Kuwait University, we were given a section in the library. All on the 'honor system.'

Not much new in the world... Laughing

VS