We are going very far off the beaten path in this episode of the Sultanate, to the Hellhole! See the pictures at the associated episode post on my website. Just click here!  Sultanate Ep 035: Hellhole Associated blog post at Beyond the Route Learn about, and see other MECET expeditions MECET on Facebook Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sultanate

035: Hellhole

In this episode of the Sultanate, I talk about the life and death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. On this day, July 23, in 1970, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said took power from his father Sultan Said bin Taimur Al Said in a coup d’état. This was the day that the Sultanate of Oman entered into its renaissance, and this day is celebrated as Renaissance Day. Who is Sultan Qaboos, what is the renaissance, and why is he revered among Omanis? Learn more at the associated episode post on my website. Check it out!  Sultanate Ep 034: Sultan of Oman Links Associated blog post at Beyond the Route Sultan Qaboos Obituary Buy the Symphonic Impressions of Oman by Lalo Schifrin Read Sultan Haitham's first speech Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

034: Sultan of Oman

In this episode of the Sultanate, I sit down with Tom Ordeman to discuss Wilfred Thesiger and his novel Arabian Sands. Tom Ordeman, Jr. is an information security practitioner at Oregon State University, and a part-time military historian. When he was an anti-terrorism consultant in Kuwait from 2010 to 2012, Oman became part of his responsibility. Later, Tom fell in love with the Sultanate of Oman during a life-changing visit in 2012. He's written several articles for Small Wars Journal, and he's previously discussed Oman on the War College podcast and the International Spy Museum podcast, called Spycast. Join us as we discuss Wilfred Thesiger and Arabian Sands. Learn more at the associated episode post on my website. Check it out!  Sultanate Ep 033: Arabian Sands with Tom Ordeman Links Spycast - When COIN Works: An Interview with Tom Ordeman War College - The Most Important Middle Eastern Country You’ve Never Heard Of Tom's articles on Small Wars Journal 5 Must Read Histories of Oman prepared by Tom Ordeman Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

033: Arabian Sands with Tom Ordeman

In this episode of the Sultanate, I sit down with my friend Nadhira al Harthy to discuss why there are so many chip brands in Oman, the quirky ways to consume the sumptuous fried snack, and conduct a taste test to find the most popular chip in Oman. Be apart of the conversation. What is your favorite chip in Oman?  Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

032: Chips Oman

This month on the Sultanate podcast we sit down with my friend Nadthera to discuss a noteworthy section on Oman’s food culture, the chips! The episode launches on the 10th of January, 2019. Subscribe using Sticher, the iOS Podcast app, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you don’t know how to do that, learn here. Follow the show and learn more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter 

Chips Oman Teaser

Ashura is a significant occasion for all Muslims, but it is particularly important for Muslims practicing the Shia branch of Islam. Little known to outsiders, Shias in Oman quietly observe this occasion openly among the narrow streets of Muttrah. Join me as I share with you the unique sights and sounds of Ashura in Oman. Be sure to view the images, and learn more at the associated episode post on my website. Check it out!  Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

031: Ashura

This month on the Sultanate podcast we visit downtown Muttrah, late at night to observe a unique religious event. You don't want to miss this one. The episode launches on the 10th of October, 2018. Subscribe using Sticher, the iOS Podcast app, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you don’t know how to do that, learn here. Follow the show and learn more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter 

Ashura Teaser

The best time to visit Oman is... well, it depends on a lot of factors. The climate and weather being the most significant. Just like the British, it seems us Omani residents discuss the weather, a lot. Usually it’s something like, “It’s really hot today,” or “Wow, the humidity came out of nowhere.”  There is no hiding the fact that Oman is a hot, desert country. We are within the tropic latitudes, and hold a portion of worlds largest sand desert within our boundaries. High temperatures are in the forecast no matter how you look at it. However, the climate or weather shouldn’t deter you from visiting. In this episode of the Sultanate I discuss the different climate regions of Oman and give my opinions on the best times to visit Oman. Now I want to hear from you. Do you have and opinion on the best time to visit Oman, or a weather related travel story from Oman? I want hear it. Leave me a note in the comments. Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

030: Oman's Climate

Here in the Muslim world it is the holy month of Ramadan, where worshipers fast during daylight hours to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Mohamed. The major mosques in the sultanate host post-fast meals called Iftar which take place at sunset and before the Maghrab prayer. For this audio postcard I’m here in Ruwi, which is the business district of Muscat, observing the moments before Maghrab and Iftar. In the parking lot of Sultan Qaboos Mosque, an area is cordoned off for a communal feast of rice and grilled chicken. There are hundreds of participants here all seated in long straight rows, sitting on ground mats in front of large round aluminum platters folding their feast. Near the platters are large bottles of cold water, cartons of laban (a yogurt buttermilk) and dates. Officially the fast ends as soon as the Muezzin starts the Adhan. Everyone breaks fast together. Ruwi Drama So, I specifically went to Sultan Qaboos Mosq...... head over to the website to read about the full drama. Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

029: Audio Postcard Ruwi

This month I am sending you an audio postcard from the town of Ibri at the animal market. One of the popular activities tourists do in Oman is visit the animal market in Nizwa on Friday. While this is nice to do, it gets overrun by tourists at times. What people don’t know is these animal markets happen all over Oman in the major towns. So, it’s not just unique to Nizwa. The Ibri market happens on Saturdays, and as you can hear is very lively. The buyers stand on the outer perimeter of the shaded pen. While the sellers circle in the middle calling out their asking price for their cows, goats, sheep, and camels. At anytime a buyer can stop and inspect an animal or start negotiating. Unique Ibri What I like about visiting less known animal markets is the locals aren’t too used to foreigners and tend to be more receptive of your curiosity, but maybe that's just me. So, wether it’s Nizwa, Ibri, Rustaq, or Sinaw a visit to an Omani animal market makes for a fun morning. Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

028: Audio Postcard Ibri

Nestled at the entrance to the world's largest contiguous sand desert, al Hashman is a calm oasis in an inhospitable neighborhood. To your east and west your neighbors sit 70 kilometers away. North of you flows a sea of angry red sand. Those who are crazy enough to venture into that sea should hope to find the Saudi border before being shot at. Al Hashman is fascinating place. At first glance you wonder, "why would anyone live here?" However, look deeper and you'll realize al Hashman is more than a dusty outpost. Audio Postcard – al Hashman I'm trying out this new audio postcard format on the Sultanate. Do you like it? Surely, this formant will not stay forever, but let me know if you like it or not in the comments. Also, let me know if al Hashman sound like a place you want to explore. Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

027: Audio Postcard al Hashman

Read my post about my friend Jeff, it's a goody. Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you. Music: "Valantis" by Blue Dot Sessions

Update March 20, 2018

Oman is full of exciting places to explore. Places like our lush canyons and soft deserts. However, this excitement doesn't just reside in far flung and off-road locations. Most of these interesting places are right in front of us like the town of Mazyunah. Of course, Mazyunah isn't really an easy place to reach, or on the normal tourist route; but it is an accessible town nonetheless. Mazyunah is located on the border with Yemen and there really aren't many reasons to be passing through for obvious reasons. Mazyunah Unlike Others I've passed through Mazyunah twice during my travels, the most recent being with my mate Fahad Alabri on our epic journey to handstand the world's tallest dune. Both visits left me with huge smiles on my face. You see, Mazyunah is a town along Oman's border with Yemen. This proximity helps it to be wild, fresh, chaotic, and what I believe Oman to be like not too long ago. I relish both my visits to Mazyunah because they were unpredictable and surprising, unlike most of the little towns that dot the countryside. Mazyunah is definitely worth scheduling more time on my next visit down south so I can capture more of this unfettered reality. Put on your headphones because I take you into the heart of Mazyunah for this month's episode of the Sultanate via a new format, the audio postcard. It's not a permeant change to Sultanate, but let me know if you like it in the comments below. Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

026: Audio Postcard Mazyunah

Learning Arabic in Oman was one of my goals when I arrived back in 2011. I thought it would be easy to pick it up since I'd have plenty of opportunity around me to practice, just like when I learned Spanish. Well, it is 2018 and while I can speak enough Arabic to get by, and understand more than I can speak, I am nowhere near proficient. Before I leave this place I have to learn Arabic. My challenges to learning Arabic in Oman are: Time commitment Non-roman script Native Arabic speakers tend to revert to English when you try to practice Omani Arabic dialect very different from Modern Standard Arabic Drive Basically all of the above challenges boil down to drive. How bad do I want it? For now learning Arabic remains on the back burner, but recently it's on my mind because I put together a cool list of local Omani greetings with the help of Noor Majan Arabic Institute. I got in touch with Noor Majan who invited me down to their new Muscat campus. To the visit I brought along my microphone and met Sulatan al Faris, the Director; and Simone Bettega, one of their students. We talked about what it is like learning Arabic in Oman, how Noor Majan Arabic Institute is different from others, the types of courses they offer, the difficulties of learning Arabic, and the uniqueness of the Omani Arabic dialect. It was especially interesting talking with Simone because he specifically researched the Omani dialect for his doctorate degree. This episode of the Sultanate includes that conversation along with the list of Omani greetings, 10 ways. Check it out. Sultanate Ep 025: Learn Arabic in Oman Links Omani Greetings, 10 Ways Noor Majan Arabic Institute website Noor Majan Arabic Institute local courses (winter-spring 2018) Sultanate Ep 002: Language in Oman (discussion about the many languages spoken in Oman) List of Arabic words and phrases in Oman for visitors Follow the show and find more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Music: "TGIF" by Tortue Super Sonic Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you. Disclaimer - Noor Majan Arabic Institute did not pay me or offer me any service to make this podcast. This is not an advertisement. All opinions are my own.

025: Learn Arabic in Oman

This month on the Sultanate podcast we visit Noor Majan Arabic Institute to talk about learning Arabic in Oman, the Omani dialect, and how to talk like a local: Omani greetings, 10 ways. This is a fun one, you don't want to miss it.... mark your calendars. The episode launches on the 10th of February, 2018. Subscribe using Sticher, the iOS Podcast app, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you don’t know how to do that, learn here. Follow the show and learn more about Oman at: www.beyondtheroute.com Facebook Instagram Twitter 

Learn Arabic in Oman Teaser

Sultanate is a podcast where we discover new and exciting destinations within the Sultanate of Oman that are beyond the tourist route; as well as finding unique ways to enjoy the Omani hospitality like a local. Join D. Michael as he takes you around the Sultanate to share with you what he loves most about Oman.

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Sultanate

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