Category Archives: Blog

Desert Du Jour…

Posted on December 27, 2016 by admin

Playing with the wind (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

I struck this weird pose while playing in the dunes of Oman — only had a few moments to take photos before sunset.

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Kaleidoscopic Iran…

Posted on December 27, 2016 by admin

Exploring Iran (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

Color explosion! I really love all of the kaleidoscopic stained glass windows throughout the Islamic Republic of Iran…

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Christmas in Oman…

Posted on December 26, 2016 by admin

Christmas in the Sultanate (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

I enjoyed a lovely Christmas feast (those desserts!) with friends at the Golden Tulip Hotel in the Sultanate of Oman…

Golden Tulip (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

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Christmas Hash…

Posted on December 26, 2016 by admin

Santa in Oman (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

Our Christmas Hash for the Muscat Hash House Harriers was the perfect way for our hiking group to get into the holiday spirit. Even Santa showed up in the desert to bring holiday cheer to our end-of-the-year gathering.

Christmas hike (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

We began our Christmas Hash with an hour hike up and down the hills of Muscat — with many wearing festive gear. It was easy to keep up a fast clip, knowing that a feast was waiting for us at the finish line.

Winning! (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

Back at our caravan, we had a contest for the best decorated table — fortunately, our table won 1st prize for its festive Christmas decorations with an angelic theme.

Dinner awaits (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

Our beautiful holiday feast was prepared by the Golden Tulip Hotel in Muscat. Our plates were overflowing with goodies from the delicious festive dishes on display — from brussel sprouts to figgy pudding.

Come and get your supper! (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

After sitting down to dine as night descended in the desert, we had the added charm of a table display that got more magnificent as the night went on — the lights and stars growing stronger the darker it got.

Desert dream (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

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Christmas Eve…

Posted on December 25, 2016 by admin

Chestnuts roasting (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

I sepnt Christmas Eve in the Sultanate of Oman roasting chestnuts on an open fire in the wildnerness with friends…

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Christmas Present…

Posted on December 25, 2016 by admin

Beach time (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

On Christmas Eve, I headed to the beach for a swim, some sand tai chi, and a nap. I also took some time to wander the coastline looking for treasures from the sea.

Christmas Eve in Oman (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

I ended up receiving my favorite early Christmas present this year — beautiful shells from the generous sea in the Sultanate of Oman (including this purple gem).

Purple beauty (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

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Today in Oman…

Posted on December 23, 2016 by admin

Frog watching in Oman (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

I rose early this morning for a wadi hike with a friend — we enjoyed watching the frogs, toads, and tadpoles swimming in the falaj irrigation system…

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Desert Du Jour…

Posted on December 23, 2016 by admin

Dancing in the dunes (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

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Baby Camels…

Posted on December 22, 2016 by admin

On the road in Tunisia (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

I really, really, really want a baby camel. I can’t explain it, I just do. Last year, I had the opportunity to bottle feed this fluffy white friend while cruising in Tunisia towards the Algerian border. I also bonded with the tiny camel below in Turkmenistan, when I was preserving Sufi shrines and excavating Islamic archaeology on the Silk Road.

Making friends in Turkmenistan (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

Once, while I was doing research on Sufism and Islamic cultural heritage in Turkmenistan, I came upon these adorable baby camels (below) blocking the road. When they finally stood up, we were about the same height — could see eye-to-eye.

Camel crossing (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

In Oman, I’ve had my fill of camel rides in the desert, but I have yet to encounter a baby. Many of my Omani students own camels, and there are plenty of opportunities to see camel racing and camel beauty pageants in the Sultanate. But I have a special place in my heart for the babies — they are just too cute.

Babies on board (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

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ROHM…

Posted on December 22, 2016 by admin

Whirling to the opera (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

If you have a chance to whirl over to the Sultanate of Oman, be sure to catch a performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat — the interior and exterior of the building alone are a sight to behold!

Enjoying Anna Karenina (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

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Today in Oman…

Posted on December 21, 2016 by admin

Anubis adventures (Photo: Emily O’Dell)

I brought the old man for a beach walk tonight to watch the sunset in the Sultanate of Oman. Since he’s a senior citizen, I also brought him to The Wave to check out the seaside golf course — golf’s his favorite new pastime.