Note

I'm alive in case you were wondering. Just surviving the post-rain allergy season and more stressful Salalah goings-on (polygamists, more murder, deadly car accidents, tribal street fights, and scandal). In case you noticed all the action near Al Rawas mosque last night, apparently someone was stabbed to death. Yikes.

Protests

So there was a little protest in Salalah yesterday after Friday prayers and my pal Mahfaif was kind enough to let me use his photo.

I still think the whole situation is stupid and embarrassing for all Muslims. I pray it all stops very soon.

Possible Friday Protests?

It's still raining in Salalah. Nice big puddles outside my front door this morning. Anyway, this post isn't about my love for rain. It's about a ridiculous situation. If you haven't been following the news, drag yourself out of your little shell and find out what's going on. International media has informed us that several countries in the Middle East have witnessed protests in front of US Embassies since the tragic attack on the US embassy in Libya that resulted in the death of its ambassador and other diplomats. Although media outlets claim the Libya attack was caused by the STUPID movie that one moron made about the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), I think that's highly doubtful. Many other elements were involved. Anyway, the Libya protests triggered a chain reaction (naturally, because that's how we roll in the ME).  

 

There 'may' have been a few ignorant protesters in front of the US embassy in Muscat yesterday. The embassy dutifully sent a warning email to all American citizens in Oman because they had to. The situation does not appear to be dangerous at all. Read more on Muscat Mutterings here.

 

As for Salalah, there were calls yesterday to protest in central Salalah after evening prayers, but I have not heard of anything and I assume ROP officers were informed beforehand and on the scene before anyone else got there. Today is Friday and I ASSUME the sermon inthe mosques in a couple of hours will be about this whole drama. I'm PRAYING that the sermon reminds people that one moron filmmaker is in no way related to their faith. I'm PRAYING that the sermon is positive and encourages people to follow Islam peacefully, and to hell with morons.

 

I condemn stupidity. I don't give a damn about some idiot and his film. The US government has nothing to do with this, nor do innocent embassy employees. Almost everyone I know thinks the protests are beyond stupid. Practice your faith, be peaceful, and be a GOOD EXAMPLE. All you protesters are just setting us back a thousand miles. Islam is peaceful. Your version is wacked.

 

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds" ~ B.M

Horizon Fitness Salalah

Many of you may already know that the popular Horizon Fitness (25+ branches in Muscat?) arrived in Salalah last week. They opened a men's branch behind the salmon building and a female branch in the big salmon pink building on Al Nahdha street opposite the fountain roundabout. I'll refrain from calling it the ugly salmon pink building because some of my readers apparently live there, and you wouldn't want to call someone's home ugly now, would you? :)

SO, I'm not one for publishing offers... but I paid a visit to Horizon Fitness (the female branch) and their opening offers end on Thursday. They're pretty good so thought I'd share:

1. They have a well-equipped gym with plenty of equipment, so you don't have to fight over who gets the treadmill. They have a proper locker room, showers, etc (new for Salalah, I tell ya!)

2. They have well-trained staff who speak English and most of them are certified health professionals. The lead person there is called Cora I think and she's seems to know exactly what she's doing.

3. They have aerobics classes, Zumba classes, cardio jams, and other workouts with trainers. They look like fun. If they allow pink grill shades, I might be tempted by the Zumba classes. (oh and they have a belly dancing class too!!! Trust me, belly dancing is fun)

4. Prices: they have a special opening offer now that ends ON THURSDAY (as in 48 hours from now), so if you're interested, get moving. You can buy either gym memberships, aerobics memberships or a combinations of both. They also have one-on-one coaching packages if you want your own personal trainer.

GYM MEMBERSHIP: One month gym membership (including 4 personal trainer sessions + fitness test + diet book + registration and membership card) = 89 Rials. Two months is 108. Three months is 118. Four months is 123. Full year is 168. Trust me, that's a good offer. After Thursday it goes up to 140, 195, 205, 225, and 375 respectively.

AEROBICS CLASSES: One month aerobics package (includes registration and diet book) = 71 Rials. Three months is 146. Six months is 246. One year is 426. After that it goes up to 100, 190, 320, and 570 respectively.

AEROBICS & GYM: One month includes (gym, aerobics, personal trainer sessions, diet book, fitness test, registration) = 124. Two months is 167. Three months is 197. Four months is 212. One year is 458. After Thursday is goes up to 200, 295, 325, 465, and 790 respectively.

If you're interested, the staff are very friendly and helpful. They also have a weird slimming treatment called Ion Magnum, and plenty of hair removal treatments.

I was not asked by them to share this. I just thought I'd share because sharing is caring.

Gucci

 PS ( their phone number is 23291063)

Honor Killings Part 2

Remember my April post on honor killings? If you remember, the sentencing was postponed to September and the family of the deceased has refused to budge. Negotiations have been going on for more than a year. Less than an hour ago the judge handling the case sentenced the killer. He is to be executed. I have received this news from 17 different sources in the past half hour, non of them official. However, I assume it's correct. Many details have emerged about the chaos inside the courtroom. In all cases, I have mixed feelings. He murdererd a man, and even though he deserves punishment, my heart feels heavy. Today I will be praying for the families of both the victim and the criminal. I can't even begin to imagine what they must be going through. This case has been the talk of Salalah for the past year and a half. Please pray for them.

September

 (my friend's farm in Dhalkut, west of Salalah - heaven)

24 Hours without rain. Is this the end of the monsoon? Should I go into mourning? But wait, I received a very very delicious gift from Muscat. Someone very nice decided that Dhofari Gucci deserved two boxes of heaven. Stay tuned...

Vet in Salalah?

Can anyone provide information to help answer this person's question?

Dear Ms.Gucci,

I've been offered a position in Salalah. I own a beautiful dog that I would intend to take with me. From my recruitment consultancy they insist that there are vet clinics in Salalah. From what I read in your useful blog and other comments elsewhere, you seem to imply that there are no "official" vets around (and that's what I also understood from other people's comments). I have read that once a week thare's a vet on-call from Muscat but that would not be enough for me. I am very attached to my dog and do care about its wellbeing. Taking into account that Salalah is 1000 kms from Muscat, I would definitely NOT take my pet if I had to resort to Muscat for help or an "occasional" vet on-call. What's your point of view on this? How safe do you think it is to have a dog in Salalah in case there's an emergency? Your answer will be highly appreciated as it's a crucial issue for me. Thanks a lot for your help.

Mr. Worried

More Salalah Drama

(attempts to rescue victims at Mughsayl yesterday)

This has been a bad couple of weeks. Five more people were killed in a car accident a couple of days ago in Dhofar, and yesterday two people drowned in Mughsayl while three others were rescued at the same location. One person (a UAE national) died at the hospital, and the missing body is also a UAE national.

(tragedy watching - a hobby in this part of the world)

No offence to the dead, but seriously?! Swimming during monsoon?!!! There are signs everywhere on all beaches saying 'Swimming is dangerous from MAY to OCTOBER'. The undercurrents are just too dangerous. You've seen what the waves have done to the beach road in Salalah. You think they can't drag your body down as well? NEVER underestimate the strength of the ocean.