It has been a really interesting week. We have been training everyday on the boat and in the gym, continuing the education of the girls… I say girls, but they are young women around 22 years old. However they look much younger. When it comes to physical training they are inexperienced… It is amazing- for the first time in their life they are sore and tired. To their credit they are keeping a stiff upper lip and continue to be game. Unfortunately, they have a long way to go before they are prepared for a competition like this, it is going to be tough on a high performance boat like this. But we met with the CEO of Oman Sail and this is a very big deal for Oman and we will perform with the spirit of the venture. They are also trying to have a team from every GCC country in the tour d’ Arabia, but the Saudis will never come with a women’s team competing…
So some interesting observations- crossing the street is like frogger in real life- there are no cross walks except at occasional major intersections that have a light. At the marina they don’t use toilet paper- and all toilets have shower heads next to them (sort of like a bidet but more inclusive in theory). Men can have up to four wives, but it can be expensive. If he has more than one wife he has to split time equally between houses (Apparently there is a house for each one but in rarer cases all live together). Parents arrange marriages but apparently kids can influence choices more now. If a man and a woman has a child out of wedlock it is a crime punishable by up to six years in jail(!). We were told that it is unlikely the woman would go (but she could) but the man would likely go. No overcrowding problems there…
Finally- power surges have destroyed my chargers. (hoping not my computer but that remains to be seen)… A full power converter and surge strip will be required for my return… So this the last update until I return to Oman in the new year.
Merry Christmas!
Katherine
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