Schietwetter celebrated euphorically in the south of Oman: From desert-like landscape is a jewel. In long columns to push the SUV into the hills Salalas – to a large rain Party.
When the monsoon rain starts, the vibrations in Wadi Darbat change. Then in the valley for a picnic gathered families have been waiting for – now it is so far: They get up, wearing reflective vest run around like scared to look with an open mouth in the clouded sky, express themselves howling under a tree to be followed in the middle of the green field full Enjoyment fully send rain to. A perfect vacation. At least for Arabs.
In Hamburg it would be a clear case of wet weather. Here in Oman, on the southern coast of the otherwise parched Arabian Peninsula, it feels like a miracle. Once a year, when the southwest monsoon from late June to early September, bounces on a mountain ridge near the town of Salalah, the region changes its colors. From endless sandy brown is green.
“Otherwise it’s all desert”, the Tourist Abas gets excited, spreads his arms and points with a half twist on the slopes of Wadi Darbat. “But now: everything green!”
Not far away turns Homam al-Jundi a chicken on the grill. His wife Hiba draped silverware and plates on the ceiling under a gnarled tree. Daughter Marwa fusses. The young family is actually from Syria, lives since the war but in the United Arab Emirates. “There we have too much sun. Every day we work in the sun,” says Al-Jundi.
That’s why they come here every year, in the 20 degree cool mountains Salalas in more than 1,000 meters, where are held a relentless sun dark clouds in the sky. Almost all other places of the Arabian Peninsula, it can bring loose in summer to 45 degrees – which is why most of the buildings and cars are air-conditioned.
Rain Tourism from Saudi Arabia
The thick SUV with reflective tape push yourself these days in long columns through the mountain gorges. Enter code from the Emirates, Saudi Arabia or even the Oman. In one of four-wheel vehicles Ahmed al-Mahri sitting. His family comes from the small coastal Sada east of Salalah.
Al-Mahri wearing a Massar – the traditional turban in Oman. During the monsoon, the Charifs, he drives the tourists up the mountains, showing them the greenest parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Many Saudis and Emiratis travel with their own bodies all the way in the rain, telling al-Mahri.
And every year more: 2015 there were in the season more than half a million people – 80,000 more than last year. 2010 was almost half. Most foreigners come from the Gulf, a few from Asia. Among Westerners of Südoman but virtually unknown – at least in the rainy season.
Therefore, al-Mahri surprised at the beginning about the passenger, who now sits next to him: “This is not the time for German,” said the young Omani when boarding. “It’s raining. And you might not rain.” The Europeans place really only in winter with their cruise behemoths on the coast of the Arabian Sea. And they usually disappear again before they have arrived correctly.
Here, the Oman is also recommended for longer stays. The country is safe, unlike many other countries in the region, which is brought in the West almost exclusively with crises, wars and conflicts in connection. As a neighbor of Civil War country Yemen in which terrorist groups are active, the Oman so far been spared from violence. It is a quite tranquil country.
Oman has blossomed into a skillful mediator in international conflicts, but remained always in the background. And the Omanis are happy, calm and – to live in prosperity – for their oil. Omanis prefer to drive in third gear comfortably, as in the fifth the accelerator durchzutreten.
As relevant to the development in the past decades, the quality of life in Oman, the citizens their absolutist and yet beloved ruler: Sultan Kabus took over the country in 1970 when it had just ten kilometers paved road. Today the modern Oman is unrecognizable. And yet it has its tradition not forget.
Wedding in the rain
The city Salalah has evolved since childhood by Ahmed al-Mahri although steadily, but wisely. The young man still remembers it, when he was able to experience the Charif in the mountains for the first time. His parents owned camels. 30 animals, he says. During the rainy season they were driven into the green hills to save feed.
One day – Ahmed was twelve – his father said to him that he ought to. At 5 am we went. “I could not sleep because I was so happy to go,” said al-Mahri, as he stands on a green hill and faces in a misty valley. The father of the mountain guide is now long dead his family -. Two sisters, a brother and his mother – lives with him in Salalah. Also it is an example of the development of this country. Al-Mahris mother can neither read nor write – his sisters studying business and computer science.
The Charif is in the area around Salalah determining the time of year. While couples lookouts in Central Europe one day in the summer and make three crosses if it remains dry at her wedding, Omanis embarrassed the Freudenfest preferably in the slushy months.
Many homeowners enjoy the rain Hype: For the interest of potential international guests there are not enough high-class hotels. Therefore, the citizens Salalas make their stay available. It is worth saying al-Mahri. Locals and tourists meet in the season every night on a large square in Salalah. There lures during wet days the Karif Festival with Carnival amusements, falafel and dance routines.
Garbage problem in Wadi
Well stocked Wadi Darbat now frolicking dozens canoes, pedal boats and motor boats, while the water level is just a few hundred meters long in the valley. A car tire is not far away in the shallow soup, next to plastic bottles and other garbage. The holiday paradise is threatened by waste.
“We have a real problem with the Wadi Darbat” said Lamis Bent Abdull Ghafur while she pulls a safety vest over his shoulders. The young woman is one of the leaders of a charitable initiative in the region. With donations they distribute food to the poor otherwise, told Ghafur. Today, however, she and her people here to collect garbage. People have sent and complained that the beautiful lush green vermülle them photos Liegengelassenem. Ghafur and its people pull over gloves and familiarize themselves with garbage bags to work. but alone can not protect the helpers Salalas natural heritage.
Many of the tourists had a throwaway mentality – but unfortunately no cleanup culture. You would have to change their attitude towards the environment, says Ghafur. Whether that works? “Inshallah,” says the young woman. “God willing”. In a few weeks the Wadi Darbat will be brown again. The car tires in the water will hibernate and will remain until the next monsoon, the colors of the landscape is transformed again – and the rain vacationers freak out again.