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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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 Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:43 am Post subject: another Nizwa-bound teacher with a few questions |
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I've been following some of the threads here and doing some other internet searches, and for me the pros outweigh the cons, so I've accepted a job in Nizwa. I'll be there at the beginning of December.
I've got a few questions-- (I apologize if they've been covered recently. I haven't read everything here yet!)
1) wardrobe: I just spent a year in northern Peru, which at the time I thought must have been the hottest place in the universe, but... looks like Oman beats it. What is an appropriate wardrobe that will allow me to a) be culturally appropriate and b) not sweat any more than is absolutely necessary? (I look into my closet and see a sea of black...)
2) start-up funds: How much cash should I bring to tide me over until that first paycheck comes? I didn't build up much of a savings account in Peru, so I imagine I could manage, say, $7 or so. 
3) availability of, um, feminine products: Should I stock up before I head out that way?
4) Please don't think me an idiot for asking this, but I don't suppose there is an ice rink in Muscat? Dubai? Anywhere within about a 1,000 mile radius? Seriously, if I flew all the way over there without my precious skates and found that there was a rink, I would cry oceans. (I know there is indoor snowboarding in Dubai--what an awesome weekend trip!)
This is a really exciting and unexpected development for me. I had been applying for positions that start next August/September, and now all of a sudden I've got just two weeks to go!
Many thanks,
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omanized
Joined: 04 Jun 2006
Posts: 152
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:33 am Post subject: |
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Yep, there is a rink in Muscat about the size of a doubles tennis court - pretty fun actually with free skating, hockey for the men on Tuesday nights and some girls figure skating I think as well.
Plans for a new rink, a bigger one but still not full size are underway and should be finished next year ( insh'allah )
omanized |
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yaramaz
Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 2384
Location: Not where I was before
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:27 am Post subject: |
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There is an ice rink in Dubai, and one in Al Ain, just over the border from Oman. It's in a shopping mall. It's pretty trippy watching teenage boys in dishdashas and girls in head to toe black skating around with the ice rink equivalent of zimmer frames propping them up.
For clothes... it's hot there (but not unbearably so)! I was there in slightly off season and wore long, light skirts and long sleeved light blouses. Loose is lovely.
If you can get your feminine hygiene stuff where you are, bring it. It's always a matter of luck finding it in muslim countries (based on my experience in Turkey and the middle east). I think its a virginity insurance hing. Don't want to risk that hymen test! |
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dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:50 am Post subject: |
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Congrats on the new job denise.
Improvise on the snow boarding. Hook it up to the back of a speedboat or give sandboarding a try(I never tried it but I knew a bunch of guys who were quite into it(in Qatar though) Also try the diving
What can you do in snow that you can't do in sand  ? keep the answers clean. |
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yaramaz
Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 2384
Location: Not where I was before
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:54 am Post subject: |
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| I sandboarded in UAE and in Oman (both with and without board- bums and toes work well in the Wahiba sands) and it rocks. And the diving around Muscat and in that part of Oman that isn't connected to the rest of Oman (mossendam? mosendam? mussandam?) is lovely. Try the Oman Dive Centre in Muscat. They do PADI stuff. Most excellent. |
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dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:57 am Post subject: |
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surely it's better with sand.  |
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yaramaz
Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 2384
Location: Not where I was before
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:01 am Post subject: |
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| Admittedly a bit rough on the bottom but it sounds impressive, dont it? |
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dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:21 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Admittedly a bit rough on the bottom |
use a board next time.
(sorry denise, I'll stop hijacking) |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: another Nizwa-bound teacher with a few questions |
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| denise wrote: |
1) wardrobe: I just spent a year in northern Peru, which at the time I thought must have been the hottest place in the universe, but... looks like Oman beats it. What is an appropriate wardrobe that will allow me to a) be culturally appropriate and b) not sweat any more than is absolutely necessary? (I look into my closet and see a sea of black...)
2) start-up funds: How much cash should I bring to tide me over until that first paycheck comes? I didn't build up much of a savings account in Peru, so I imagine I could manage, say, $7 or so.
3) availability of, um, feminine products: Should I stock up before I head out that way? |
Welcome to the 'wait - hurry up - to be followed by more waiting probably' system of the ME!! Now you know to take those skates...
As to dress, Nizwa will be conservative, so you want to display as little skin as possible. And I found that it was hotter if you did!! Long, loose, and light breathable fabrics are the key. After a few years my wardrobe consisted of almost no trousers, only long flowing skirts. Personally I always wore lots of black... to be honest, when its well over 40, color doesn't really matter.  At least it is not humid since it is far from the sea. I always kept my sleeves to the elbow as a minimum (3/4's are perfect) and avoid anything skin-tight... to much 'advertising' and very uncomfortable in the heat anyway.
I hope a current employee will come on and tell how quickly they get you on the pay system. I would guess that it would be about 2 months. Housing isn't an issue, but you will need to cover food, transport to work/home, and incidentals. Your $7 should start you out on an effective new diet system!!
In the Gulf, availability of feminine products isn't a major problem, but most of us have a preferred brand, and I always brought my own for the year. That said, I was in Muscat, not in Nizwa, which is likely more limited.
You've read the threads, so you know that Nizwa does have a few issues with the employers/management... and now and again the pre-pubescent/adolescent boys can be a bit obstreperous, but most people are able to find enough positives to outweigh the negatives for a contract or two.
BTW... I'd still get in touch with HCT, so you can have an idea what to avoid/add if you want to apply again in a couple years. Of course then you will have a bit of directly related experience, which they tend to like.
Good Luck!!
VS |
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yaramaz
Joined: 05 Mar 2003
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Location: Not where I was before
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Fantastic photos Yaramaz!! Thanks for the nostalgic visit...
VS |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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I can go skating?!?!?!? Woo-hoo-hoo! That just seals the deal for me!
I tried sandboarding in Peru. Took me a few days to get the sand out of my eyebrows, ears, etc. Apparently Little Miss Hotshot Snowboarder got overconfident. Oooops!
Looks like I will have to go shopping for some long, loose, light, flowy garments.
I haven't given up on HCT, or on anything else out there. I imagine there will be more positions opening up for the next academic year once I get over there. I'm looking at spending up to 3 years over there, so if things don't go well in Nizwa I will look elsewhere.
Cool photos, yaramaz!
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kuberkat
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Posts: 358
Location: Oman
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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...as to those maligned "feminine products", you might not find all you need in Nizwa, but Muscat's internationally owned supermarkets (Carrefour and Al Fair) stock the precious white bullets. Muscat Pharmacy also sells oral contraceptive tablets over the counter, no questions asked. Something I wouldn't stock up on anywhere near the college town grapevine  . |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Great photos!!! How long were you in Oman? Oman looks fantastic, too bad their salaries weren't a bit better. Still.... life is short. |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:04 am Post subject: |
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| Gordon wrote: |
| Great photos!!! How long were you in Oman? Oman looks fantastic, too bad their salaries weren't a bit better. Still.... life is short. |
I've been doing a bit of mental math and I am actually expecting it to be similar to Japan, if not better--comparable salary and benefits in a cheaper country. I had an above-average salary and benefits package in Japan. Not the best, but definitely better than the current average. Maybe I'm just deluding myself, though...It certainly wouldn't be the first time!
Oh, and anyone care to tell me about the food? Vegan-friendly? That's usually the first thing I ask about a new place. I guess the thought of missing all of my winter sports kind of shifted my priorities.
d |
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