The Muscat Souq ( Marketplace)

One of the many narrow streets in the labyrinth that comprises the Souq - We did wander around "lost" in the atmosphere, dust and heat!

Typical jewelry display, all jumbled together and you must bargain for everything. Be prepared to walk away as we did, because there will be many more shops.

This woman certainly has a good head on her shoulders. The streets are all very narrow because this is a very old marketplace. Everything must be carried by hand, head, or...

handcart. This older gentleman looked to be pulling a huge load, but as he passed, we noted that 2 younger men were pushing to help out. Vehicles are only on the outskirts of this huge marketplace and we were wondering how so much merchandise was moved around: an ancient version of planes, trains and automobiles

Typical souvenir shop of jewelry, pottery, metals and pashminas.

Hi All,

17 October 2010

Scott has given me the assignment to blog the Oman Souq, as I've more shopping experience in general. This souq is very old and quite large labyrinth of narrow streets cobbled together. No master plan is evident, therefore quite confusing as streets and even narrower alleyways wind and switchback on themselves. The building material ranges from baked brick to concrete and is partially open air, very dim and dusty and quite warm! Shopkeepers call to you as you approach to advertise their specialty. Pashminas, Perfumes, Incense, Souvenirs, Clothing, Cookware, Men's Headcoverings, Beauty Supplies, Housewares and of course Omani Silver and Gold bid for your attention in a cacaphony of sights, smells and sounds.

We arrived in downtown Muttrah, a district of the ancient capital of Muscat in the late morning. Walking along the corniche next to the sea harbor we could see the Sultan of Oman's huge "yacht" (Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous). It is the third largest private yacht in the world. There are lots of shops along the corniche and full of activity but fewer shoppers evident in the souq area. Scott explained that the locals do not venture out during the heat of the day (smart folks!), preferring to enjoy the cooler night air. Ahh, we were marked as tourists without even opening our mouths... Time to enter one of the many entrances to the souq.

From the moment you enter this puzzle of shops you are bombarded with shop owners attempting to lure you into their shop & it is no matter that the guy next door is selling the exact same wares. Pashminas were thrust towards me and the Omani men's hat was placed (several times) upon our not-so-patient Scott. One quickly learns to just keep walking and ignore the persistent shopowners. Exotic frankensence (grown in Oman's hills) is offered in many shops along with a dizzing array of spices. Pashminas, pashminas and more pashminas and I was strictly forbidden to purchase even one more. It was pure torture to drive 5 hours and not buy more than a sprite to quench our thirst and black bobby pins to keep my hair out of my eyes.

The attempt to bargain for a pair of silver earrings (cause I desperately need another pair of earrings) or the traditional Omani dagger were a dismal failure. Nothing is priced! You asked the shopkeeper and he tells you an amount; it is mandatory to counter offer... Scott working in purchasing for 30 years and my experience as a buyer for Ozzie's has made us tough bargainers. It was necessary to walk away when our last counteroffers were turned down, but it was a rich cultural experience. After finding our way out of the souq and into the A/C of our car it was on to a little sightseeing, watch for the next posting. Love, Christine and Scott