Kaunas
Lithuania
September 19, 2014
The Eyes Cannot Answer “Why?”
The eyes. The eyes. Always the eyes!
The eyes remember. The eyes see. Do the eyes foretell?
The eyes know. The eyes teach.
The eyes know what happened.
Do the eyes know why?
Mutrah Souk
Muscat (pop 1.1 million)
Sultanate of Oman (pop 3.6 million)
January 12, 2015
Clear and Warm
So, what are those piles of round, tan-brown fruit I discover here in the market? Larger than a walnut, but smooth. Smaller than a tangerine. The manager of the Ground Spices shop informs me, “Dried lemons.”
The manager senses my surprise and asks his helper to peel one for me. Dried lemon tastes like a lemon yet not so sour, with a zesty flavor, chewy consistency and a delightful, palate-cleansing aftertaste.
Misfat al Abreyeen
Oman
January 16, 2015
An hour’s drive from Nizwa, the mountain-hugging village of Mifat (Misfah) is one of the oldest in Oman (pop 300).
Built in Yemeni style, the mud brick buildings and narrow rocky paths provide a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle of the region.
And the views are marvelous!
Back to The Golden Tulip Hotel in Nizwa, the Hajar Mountain Range renders a lovely sunset setting.
Trip Advisor Reviews of Misfat:
Oscar White Muscarella
Research Fellow - Retired
Ancient Near Eastern Department
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York, New York
USA
Dear Dr. Muscarella,
Cc: Family and Friends
Oscar, I found the copper!
In 2007, I wrote to you and told of my visit to Lothal in India, the site of the Harappan Civilization (3300-1300 BCE).
Located in the Indus Valley, in what is now the Indian State of Gujarat, and neighboring Pakistan, and into Afghanistan, this advanced civilization of more than five million was known for its navigational prowess, city planning, art, astronomy, metallurgy and the manufacture of delicate copper jewelry.
The copper jewelry was traded around the ancient world across the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea to East Africa, Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Where did the Indus Valley obtain the copper?
Oscar White Muscarella
Research Fellow - Retired
Ancient Near Eastern Department
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York, New York
USA
Dear Dr. Muscarella,
Cc: Family and Friends
Oscar, I am sure that you are familiar with the Biblical passage from the Book of Matthew referring to the Gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. But perhaps it is puzzling for the modern mind to understand that two plant products, two dried resins, were once equivalent in value to gold.
Frankly, I was not familiar with the properties of frankincense. But apparently, from ancient times (8000 years ago?) until today, the medicinal as well as religious uses of frankincense (and myrrh) are well-known and well-respected.
The Empty Quarter
Oman
Hello from the Arabian Desert,
En route to the Empty Quarter and the Desert Camp, my guide Mohammed makes three unscheduled stops.
Ayn Sahalnoot is a delightful spot – a spring and a perfect place for a picnic and a swim in the pools and streams in a lush valley beneath the desert floor. Cedar and fig trees!
The Camel Race Track is closed. But I do have a chance to get acquainted with several of the “thoroughbreds.”
