Liju Cherian
@lijucherianoman
FROM her six visits to the Sultanate starting from 1999, veteran Swiss journalist has gone back with deep impression of the Sultanate and the progress achieved in all fields.
Helene Aecherli from Zurich focuses on societal developments, gender and human rights issues. As a researcher and public speaker, she was awarded ‘Reporter of the Year’ for 2019 in Switzerland.
The coronavirus pandemic saw her launch ‘Window Talks’, a documentary blog project in May last that reached out to people all over the world. The blog went on to be nominated for the alternative German Media Award.
During her first visit she felt like being transferred to ancient times. “I remember that I had been dropped into a fairy world. Everything seemed to be pristine. We took a tour to Nizwa and the places where tourists are usually brought to. I was mesmerised as I have rarely seen such untouched beauty. Over the years I kept coming back and saw how the country has changed and was amazed by the rapid progress,” she says.
Her next visits were in 2003, alternately in 2012, 2014 and 2016 with a final trip in 2018 to Dhofar Governorate.
“I remember that I had been dropped into a fairy world. Everything seemed to be pristine. I was mesmerised as I have rarely seen such untouched beauty.”
She recollects her most productive visits were after 2010 when she started to know more about the country and the region. “While in Oman I always stayed in Muttrah and Qantab (Airbnb) and loved it. This got me in closer contact with locals where I bought food from local stores and started to see the environment from a different perspective.”
During her 2016 visit, Helene experienced water-logging, walking through the deep waters in Muttrah Souq and later travelled to the Green Mountains. “It was an amazing experience with breathtaking scenery by sunshine and heavy rain and to see how fast the changing weather is. This gave me a deeper understanding of how nature influences the region, its dangers and blessings.”
In 2003 she made her maiden trip to Muscat and Salalah at the invitation of the Ministry of Tourism which she terms as an ‘excellent trip.’
“I actually felt like a super VIP as I could pick and choose my itinerary and was offered all the support I could get. I visited Salalah for the first time and experienced the first heavy sandstorm.”
During her travel to Salalah for the second time after 2003 she explored the Dhofar Governorate and its economic potential. “I will never forget the sight of cows and camels grazing along the ocean shore and the wild rose bushes in the dry areas.” She looks forward to visiting Salalah during the Khareef season.
As a researcher, Helene explains that nature needs to be left untouched as much as possible and ancient, historical buildings preserved and help locals who want to launch small hotels. This, she says, will help contribute to Oman achieving sustainable tourism. “Resorts do not interest me. I love to live in small places and eat in local restaurants,” she mentions.
‘Window Talks’ was launched with her colleagues during Covid-19 as people were hit by the pandemic in Ecuador, Lebanon, Syria, Greece, Gaza, Yemen, and the Sultanate. Lubna al Balushi, a talented and multilingual poet, whom Helene met in 2016 during her visit was spotlighted in the blog.
“Lubna is a very modern representative of her country which the Sultanate can be proud of as she makes a great role model for other women. She was featured in the blog as she is a ‘great observer and analyst,” adds Helene.
Helene for now is working on an article on the inclusion of women in the Swiss Army, also on how Covid-19 forced people to reinvent themselves after losing their jobs; and a feature about the Swiss head of the ICRC delegation in Yemen for Switzerland’s biggest women’s magazine.
Her plans amid the pandemic is to get vaccinated and start travelling and researching soon. She loves to come back to the Sultanate as soon as possible to travel again.
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