A true woman

A true woman knows her limits, she might cross them sometimes, but she will always know when and how to step back.

A true woman has loads of patience and knows how to use it.. knows how to keep her man on his toes while she’s burning inside out. She also knows when it’s time to put her patience away.

A true woman knows her place wherever she goes. She knows where to sit and when to get up and leave, keeping her fragrance forever in the room.

A true woman knows the right words, she also reads her man’s mind and speaks the language he wants to hear to get what she wants.

A true woman is hard to find, but if every woman looks deep inside, she might just find her. A true woman knows how to unleash her trueness!

Temporary Peace

When the day begins at 3 am and you wake me up from a distance and I pretend I’m already awake. I sneak out of my bed, out of the house, and into my car. Driving before the sun rises to catch it reflecting in our eyes when it first shines. Turned on the radio to snow patrol’s “Come on, come out, come here, come here”

I already had the keys to your house, opened the door to see you sitting by the window, looking at the horizon and smoking your night’s last cigarette. You looked at me and smiled as I walked and sat in front of you, with a heart walking in faster steps than I did. Looked at what you were looking at and couldn’t help but stare, it was so beautiful. “It really was a sight to see”

The calmness of the city at that hour was exceptional. I don’t even remember hearing your neighbor’s dogs barking. The sky was down low, or maybe I was that high. It didn’t matter because when I looked at you again, I could hear the words you never said, and I smiled at you.

We talked about everything; the weather, the city, politics, cars and motorbikes, until I stopped following.. Took a deep breath and looked at the horizon again… Enjoying the last hour of the night as the dawn started to sneak in like it always does. This time it was a bit more shy. I never understood how time flies, it’s too complicated and I never paid attention.

Faster than I thought, the sun followed with open arms, disturbing the peace of this quiet night, wasn’t too quiet inside of me though. ”there’s a drift in and out”

I looked at you again and smiled.. What a beautiful morning, we said.. When beautiful is  an unexplainable incident that happens uninvited, but welcomed. “There’s an end with a beginning, to the quiet chaos driving me back”

and there’s so many many thoughts
when I try to go to sleep
but with you I start to feel
a sort of temporary peace

While I was sleeping

I could hear them humming a tune

That sweet music, I have enjoyed

My eyes were closed but my soul was dancing

To their melody

I didn’t want to wake up but couldn’t wait to see them

They knew I was sleeping but still whispered to me

I smiled.

There’s nowhere else I wanna be

But closer.

I couldn’t wait, opened my eyes

I found them smiling back

Your eyes…

Hello Little Girl

If only I met you before it all happens.. to tell you about life, how cruel it can be.. to tell you how many times your heart will break into pieces you can’t even see..

If only I could tell you how cold some nights would be, all alone covered with tears..

If only I could show you how much you would need him, miss him and want him.. you would not have ran away..

I would have told you you’d cross your lines and break your rules, for him.

I never had the chance to tell you how some days will pass too slow and others you won’t even count.

If only you knew that the one who’d take you high is the one who’d let you fall so hard..

And I would have told you, despite of all these warnings, you’d go through it all, you’d break your own heart if you had to..

Just to taste life, to know how it feels..

But now I stand here, looking back at you and what you’ve been through.. I have to say, I’m glad I haven’t told you.. because I wouldn’t have told you how beautiful life could be.. how exciting the ride would be, and that you’d have few smiles that would worth all the pain.. I wouldn’t have told you that you’d need all the pain for happiness to come your way..

But even if I did, it won’t make any difference anyway.. You know what I mean?

Al Jabal Al Akhdar – الجبل الأخضر

3 hours away from Muscat, Oman, and more than 2,000 meters up, you’ll be surprised by the spectacular view and the stunning weather at the top of Al Jabal Al Akhdar. While it was the hottest and longest day in Oman, Muscat exceeded the 50 c but Jabal Akhdar stayed cool at 20′s and refreshing breeze.

A very great initiative from the Ministry of Tourism here in Oman, which we heard about through Facebook, to organize such an exciting trip! Around 50 4×4′s were ready at 7 am to start our trip to Al Jabal Al Akhdar. Very nice people, organized, and helpful. Two police cars and an ambulance were with us all the way to help us whenever needed. And they were needed!

We passed by Birkat Al Mouz, the “pool of bananas”, it was called so because it’s known for Banana, of course, and pure spring water. However, I haven’t seen either but could be because we did not check it all out, only the castle. Birkat Al mouz’s ancient water system is one of the other four in Oman on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

We continued our way up to the mountain, stopped at a rest area where there was an Omani group doing of what we call in Jordan; Dabkeh, with swords and a drum. Very exciting and traditional.

We continued our drive to Al Ayn Village, left our cars and walked in a very tiny passage to another village. there was a water channel all the way and beautiful views for the mountains. When we reached the other village after about 30 minutes walk, we walked again to reach our cars that moved to meet us at the other end, cars can’t reach the center of the village, they stay outside and we have to walk to reach them. There was a very close area were you can overlook an ancient village with old houses.

After all this walking, we can to rest, drove up to the top where there was a beautiful hotel, Sahar Hotel. They have good food, stunning views, swimming pool, amazing weather, but not a very friendly staff. I might go back there to spend a weekend and relax. Even though their prices were a bit high; rooms ranging from 83 – 97 OMR, they were fully booked!

On our way back down from the mountains, we stopped at a rest area, played some games, quizes, etc. We enjoyed our time and will definitely do it again! Well done Ministry of Tourism.

٣ ساعات بعيدا عن مسقط، سلطنة عمان، وأكثر من ٢٠٠٠ متر فوق سطح البحر، سوف تفاجأ من منظر وطقس رائعين في الجبل الأخضر. مع أنه كان أكثر يوم حار و طويل في عمان، حيث الحرارة في مسقط تجاوزت الخمسين مئوية ولكن بقيالجبل الأخضر في درجات حرارة حوالي ٢٤.

مبادرة جميلة جدا من وزارة السياحة هنا في عمان بأن تنظم هذه الرحلة، والتي سمعنا عنها من خلال الفيسبوك. كان هناك نحو ٥٠ سيارة ذات الدفع الرباعي جاهزة على الساعة ٧ صباحا لبدء رحلتنا إلى الجبل الأخضر. الناس لطفاء وتنظيم جيد.وكانت ترافقنا سيارتي شرطة وسيارة إسعاف لمساعدتنا كلما دعت الحاجة.

مررنا بمنطقة تسمى بركة الموز، وتسمى بذلك لأنها معروفة بزراعة الموز ومياه الينابيع النقية. ومع ذلك، أنا لم أر أي أشجار موز ولكن قد يكون لأننا لم نتفقد المنطقة كلها، إلا أنه يوجد قلعة صغيرة. النظام القادم للمياه جعلها واحدة من المناطق الاربعالاخرى في عمان على قائمة اليونسكو للتراث العالمي.

واصلنا طريقنا إلى الجبل، وتوقفت في منطقة للراحة حيث كان هناك مجموعة من العمانيين في الزي التقليدي يرقصون، ما نسميه في الأردن الدبكة، بالسيوف والطبول. جميلة جداً.

واصلنا مسيرنا إلى قرية عين. تركنا سياراتنا ومشينا في ممر صغير جدا إلى قرية أخرى. كانت هناك قناة للمياه على طول الطريق ومناظر خلابة للجبال. عندما وصلنا الى القرية الأخرى، بعد حوالي ٣٠ دقيقة سيرا على الأقدام، مشينا مرة أخرى لنصل إلى سياراتنا التي انتقلت لملاقاتنا في الطرف الآخر. كانت هناك منطقة قريبة جدا تستطيع رؤية قرية قديمة مع البيوت القديمة جدا.

بعد كل هذا المشي، ركبنا السيارات لنصل الى أعلى الجبل حيث كان هناك فندق جميل، لديهم الطعام الجيد، والمناظر الخلابة، وبركة سباحة، والطقس المذهل، ولكن الموظفين لم يكونوا ودودين. ومع ذلك أود أن أذهب إلى هناك مرة أخرى لقضاء عطلةنهاية الأسبوع والاسترخاء. أسعار الفندق مرتفعة قليلا، الغرف تتراوح بين ٨٣-٩٧ ريال عماني، ومع ذلك، كانت جميع الغرف محجوزة بالكامل!

ونحن في طريقنا إلى أسفل الجبل، توقفنا في منطقة للراحة، ولعبنا بعض المباريات، المسابقات الثقافية، وما إلى ذلك، استمتعنا كثيراً، وبالتأكيد سنذهب إلى الجبل الأخضر مرة أخرى! أحسنت يا وزارة السياحة العمانية.

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Welcome Back

Every time you leave, a part of my soul breaks down and leaves with you, while the remaining of it shouts and pleads. Begging you to turn around and stay. You, being the careless you are, just leave.

I know I’ve lived this life before; I saw this coming. I see it coming every single time even before you say the words that you never say. But I hear them anyway.

It takes me time to get up, heal that open wound, It bleeds still. Only then you come back, remind me of the hurt, the tears I cried for you, and the countless nights I mistakenly called days. But for some reason the wound heals, I smile to your careless “hello” and welcome you with open arms.

I tell you I’d never do it again, I say it’s the last time I leave the door open! We both know I lie every time I say this. Because, you know, any minute you leave, I’ll cry my heart out again and will stare at the stars until they turn into days. And when you’re back, I’ll just put back the broken piece of my soul, smile and say; welcome back, love, it’s been a thousand years!

Four days in Muscat

Early morning Saturday, after several 5-minute sleeps from the night before, I found myself in the airport of Muscat, Oman. On my way out, I saw a Nawras booth; Nawras is one of the two telecom companies in Oman. I asked the guy for a SIM card to use during my stay and how I can activate the blackberry service. He was very friendly and helpful; offered me that SIM card for 2 OMR with a credit of 2 OMR already in it. I charged my credit with another 7 OMR because I did not know what to expect regarding prices. Later, I found that they’re relatively cheap, especially when I went to Dubai after Muscat and used Nawras’s SmartRoamer; very convenient and cheap! Make sure you roam through Etisalat though, it’s cheaper than Du.

Before going to Muscat, I’ve read some blogs and articles on how beautiful Oman is and how everyone, especially expats, fall in love with it. This made me want to look for their reasons everywhere around me, for the small details and the overall look of Muscat. It was so obvious why everyone is so fond of Oman.

People are very kind, laid-back and helpful. Everyone is ready to help when you ask them to. They don’t rush into things, especially on the road, which is not the case in Amman. All men wear the traditional Omani outfit and women mostly have their hair covered, except for expats. I found it amazing how they keep their traditions and are very proud of it.

There is a place called Jawharit Alshati in Muscat, it’s a beach area with different cafés and restaurants like Slider station, Starbucks, Costa Café and others around you. Just take a cab or park your car there and go to one of them, enjoy the great service and the sound and smell of the sea. I love water!

Another must go place is called Matrah, it’s also by the sea, has old souq and beautiful mosques, nearby is the Sultan palace, we could get to the gate, beautiful clean streets, amazing architecture and lovely weather this time of the year. I heard it gets REALLY hot during summer time.

Taxis around Muscat vary from 2 OMR to 7 OMR for far places. One cab took us around the city and showed us different areas for only 10 OMR. I thought they were expensive but then realized it’s the range of prices there.

I stayed at the Ibis hotel; friendly staff, convenient, adequate, affordable (49 OMR/night) and clean. It’s a walking distance from McDonald’s, BinAteeq (Omani restaurant) and a pizza place. Also from there you can go by taxi to a sea food restaurant called Turki House, very famous there and their food is delicious.

My overall experience was great, met great Jordanians as well, they told me more about Oman and, again, how beautiful it is. I will definitely go back soon.