Oman
Muscat
October 2014 • Oman is one of the best-kept secrets in the Middle East, if not the world. It hugs the eastern edge of the Arabian peninsula and is neither a dessicated landscape nor wracked by political instability and economic extremes. Oil and gas revenue plus a beloved, visionary sultan have provided Omanis with an infrastructure and standard of living that are in line with the 21st century—but nowhere near as cartoonish as the Emirates next door. Variations of mountain range, desert, and coastline refute any preconception of barrenness, and a culture of hospitality and generosity has been uncorrupted (so far) by foreign interference and mass tourism. Sultan Qaboos has no heir and is reportedly ill, so the line of succession is murky. Holding my breath and hoping the best for this extraordinary country.
