Muscat Musings: Humidity, Dates, and a Seriously Chill Vibe

okay, so muscat. it’s…warm. like, really warm. i just checked and it’s hovering around twenty-five degrees, with the air feeling like you’re breathing through a damp towel. not complaining, honestly, just preparing you. it’s a different kind of heat than, say, phoenix. it’s a sticky heat.

i’m here scouting locations for a low-budget sci-fi flick - think blade runner meets…well, a really dusty parking lot. my job is basically wandering around looking for things that could be futuristic with enough spray paint and questionable lighting. it’s surprisingly fulfilling.

the old town, mutrah, is where it’s at. seriously. the souk is a labyrinth of smells - frankincense, spices, leather, and something vaguely fishy. i spent a good hour just getting lost and bartering for a ridiculously ornate teapot i absolutely don’t need. someone told me that the best dates are sold near the fish market, which…makes sense? i guess? i also overheard a guy complaining about the price of saffron, which, honestly, mood.

i’ve been staying in a little guesthouse near the corniche. the owner, a lovely woman named fatima, keeps trying to feed me dates and coffee. i’m not refusing, obviously. the coffee is strong, the dates are sweet, and the hospitality is overwhelming. it’s a nice change from the usual sterile hotel experience. you can find some good deals on guesthouses on TripAdvisor.

the *corniche* itself is a great place to people-watch. there’s a constant stream of families strolling, fishermen unloading their catch, and guys in ridiculously shiny cars showing off. if you get bored, nizwa and sur are just a short drive away, offering a glimpse into a more traditional oman.

i tried to find a decent record store, but no luck. apparently, vinyl isn’t a huge thing here. which is a tragedy. i did stumble upon a tiny little cafe playing some amazing oud music, though. it was tucked away down a side street, and i have no idea what it was called. i’m relying on my terrible memory and a scribbled map on a napkin to find it again.

i asked a local about the best place to get shawarma, and he just laughed and said, “everywhere is good shawarma!” which is…helpful? i ended up at a place recommended on Yelp and it was, predictably, amazing. seriously, the shawarma here is on another level.

someone warned me about the traffic around rush hour. they said it’s like “a parking lot with delusions of grandeur.” they weren’t wrong.

i’ve been trying to get a feel for the film locations. the sultan qaboos grand mosque is stunning, but way too busy. i’m thinking a more industrial area might work better. i saw a really interesting abandoned warehouse district near the port. it’s a bit rough around the edges, but that’s exactly what we’re going for. you can check out some local forums for tips on getting around: Expat.com Oman.

i heard that the opera house is worth a visit, but honestly, i’m more interested in finding a good falafel stand. priorities, you know? i’m also trying to learn a few basic arabic phrases. “shukran” (thank you) and “laa afham” (i don’t understand) are getting me by so far.

a guy at the souk told me, “oman is a slow place. you must learn to be slow.” i’m trying. it’s hard. i’m naturally chaotic.

the humidity is starting to get to me, though. i think i need to find a beach and just…exist for a while. maybe with a date and a strong coffee. and definitely more shawarma. i’m also looking at Visit Oman for some ideas on day trips. this place is growing on me, slowly but surely.

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