Nizwa

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman and home of one of the more traditional animal markets. Here they bargain for cows, goats, camels.

Omani woman trying to sell her goat 

After the animal market, we went and explored Nizwa Fort. Back in ancient times, this fort was used to protect an oasis in Nizwa from the enemy. This oasis was so important that they built this fort to prevent the enemy from accessing it.

The main part of Nizwa Fort

Coolest part about the fort: this may be hard to see at first glance, but the wood in this next picture is the top part of a door, and the hole leads to the very top of the fort. If any intruder were to make it this far into the fort, soldiers at the top could pour scalding hot date syrup down this hole and severely burn them. Even if the enemy survived the burns, it'd be so embarrassing. Not only would they be burnt, they'd be sticky too...

Post office in Nizwa (check out those doors!) 

which slot to put a letter in?

This network of "aflazh" spreads the water from the oasis to all the fields and homes

The trip was great! We're planning to do some cool stuff tomorrow and Friday as well!