Lost in Scotland

Scotland is Dhofar on speed after the Khareef. More Heather, more hills, more people wearing kilts! They say Switzerland is the poor mans Scotland, I tend to say its Gods Country. OK, blasphemy as all of the world is Gods country, but those who have been to Scotland will understand. And apologies to any who may be affronted by that allusion. All countries have aspects that one can only say that this was crafted by The Almighty. The Grand Canyon at dawn, or during the rain; The Swiss Alps when the sun shines on the green hills or the white powder snow; pale early sunshine on morning mist... oh the list goes on and on and on...

Back to Scotland. The air is like champagne, it actually tingles in your blood as you take that first breath on the first morning you are back in the Highlands. The sun is out and you think all is well with the world, so you do some early morning stretches with the sun on your face and a cool breeze. You're flying... until you get indoors and find a couple of dozen red spots on your ankles and feet. Then the curses start.. so much for a lovely day. The sun has gone in, the clouds are in place and you find the Curse of the Highlands have feasted on you. Ha! Yes, the famous Midges of the Heelands. The similarities between Oman and Scotland mount up, during the Khareef in the South the bloodsucking mosquitoes come out and pester the cattle. I suppose we are the cattle in Scotland.

The Scottish kilts are the same principle, though far more colourful than the wizar worn by the Jibalis, the Omani equivalent of the Highlanders. The sgian dubh (small dagger tucked into the sock) is replaced by the khanjar. The hills after the rainy season can remind one of the hills in Scotland, sans heather of course. The highlanders of Oman even have their same language as the Gaelic of Scotland does. The Clans of Scotland are the Qabilas (tribes) of Oman. Who says the east is different from the west?

I wonder what the jibali version of Och Aye the Noo is? On that note I shall leave you pondering the thought that there really is such a translation.