Perhaps it's because it sits in that scalding hot sun all day...I don't think anything is cool in this country... no, I lie... the cinema is actually just as chilly as they are in the U.S. Went to see Harry Potter yesterday afternoon and I practically needed a sweater... such an odd feeling in Oman.
So as long as we are on the topic of temperature... let me take this opportunity to share the hottest experience of my life. An experience that I actually took part in fully aware of the heat outside my apartment walls but in search for a bit of outdoor fun nevertheless.
11:30 was fairly late to begin trekking through the hot Friday morning mid day sun - was suppose to leave an hour earlier, but that's what you call 'Omani time'.
Destination - Wadi (the Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley, home to an oasis and river or in the this case fresh water pools and caves).
Preparation - Hat, water, sunscreen, apples... book? (had no idea what to bring).
Twenty minute drive up the coast, through stunning village on the top of a rock with views dropping deep into the sea below.
Park car under highway bridge at the mouth of palm tree lined canyon. Get out of ac...struggle to breath in humidity, laugh about the heat and look ahead - quietly asking the inevitable question: "How far do we have to walk?" Answer: "Around half an hour... you DID bring sneakers, right?" Sneakers? Seriously? Hmmm, no, just my flimsy little sandals... should I be worried? Wait! Half an hour? Ok, that's not long, I'm in shape, how bad can that be? Only... 50C (120F) odd degrees... plus humidity, hmm, that IS a bit hot...
Ten minutes later... Ten minutes in, rocks in sandals, mounting over and around boulders, tip toeing on downed palm trees and collapsing walls, jumping, wading through small streams, bounding quickly in search of the next sanctuary providing a moment of shade and a chance to stop and guzzle already hot plastic water. The men are wearing shorts and tank tops, I think I can see their skin peeling away - both use to the scalding hot temperatures of the desert, they definitely have the advantage. Being a woman, I am fully covered in pants, and t-shirt - but can still feel my legs burning in the sun. I can literally feel all the liquid being sucked out of me, even as I down water, I am drying up like a gecko left in the sun too long. We really have only been walking for ten minutes? Sweet Jesus. How will I ever survive another 20 minutes?!
An eternity later, we finally reach our destination. I can barely see straight as I begin ripping my clothes off and burning my feet on the hot white rock before diving into the blue green water of the first pool. Ah... instant relief. Water is pretty warm, but just being IN water feels amazing, and my body takes it in like a sponge.
Three pools, at the bottom of the jagged desert canyon all leading to the climax and the glory of nature that made all the pain worthwhile. Swimming through a narrow passageway you emerge into an amazing cave, fully equipped with a magnificent waterfall and young Omani boys diving from the various levels of the cave walls. Haven't yet stopped to catch my breath since the strenuous hike up, so I climb up on one of the rocks and lie next to the waterfall, giggling at the feeling of being in some Disney World creation and how as soon as my strong protectors are out of sight there is a swarm of Omani boys swimming beneath me like parana - completely harmless they won't even make eye contact with me, but I try to engage them in conversation nonetheless. Embarrassed and unsure of themselves I relieve them from their awkward female encounter and swim away - back into the other pools. I hug close to the sides as they provide shade from the still towering sun. Back in the first pool I jump out for a moment, drink some water, try to eat an apple, can't - way too hot. The boys are able to take naps in this mental heat and I get back in the water and swim, and swim and try to stay under for as long as I can, and swim a bit more.
Four hours later, the sun is finally hiding behind the steep rocks but my brain is like mush, too much for me, little girl has an exploding headache, we're out of water.. . I do believe our time here is done. After a very tiring attempt I finally am able to rally the boys and begin our trek back to the car. Finally there, we are all about to die from lack of water, down what liquid remains in the car and drive. Nauseous, head pounding, still in nothing but my bikini (could really care less at this point, let them stare).
Finally home, sleep, drink liters and liters of water, sleep... 14 hours... :-)
Took two days to recuperate - seriously NOT cut out for the heat. Glad I went, but have NO intention of repeating.
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