A chance visit to the Sultanate of Oman’s Dhofar Governorate by a tourist and a writer from Scotland in 2013 was so impactful that she felt like writing a book. She completed her book ‘Dhofar’s Nomads: How Oman’s Renaissance Changed Way of Life Forever’ this month and now participating in the London Book Fair.
The writer Gisela Volger is happy with the response and wants the book to reach Oman as early as possible.
“I am happy and elated to mention that the journey I started in 2013 proved fruitful and today I am participating with the book in the prestigious London Book Fair,” she said in an electronic message soon after the opening of the three-day book fair on Tuesday.
Mentioning her first visit to Dhofar, Gisela said, “I came to Dhofar for the first time by chance in 2013. I had come to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to visit my daughter who was studying there. From there I decided to visit Oman for a short spell together.”
“From the very beginning, I was intrigued by the stunning, multifaceted landscape arid in part and richly verdant in others, and its warm, welcoming people, willing to share their deep love for their homeland, and always eager to answer any questions about their culture. Little wonder, I came back again and again. Since then, Dhofar and Salalah became the hotspots of my visits and year by year, I meet new friends and finally decided to write a book.”
Empty Quarter fascinates her where “silence is audible and darkness becomes an explosion of dazzling starlight... it always provides a special experience.”
Gisela loves to follow the coasts along the deep blue Arabian Sea. Spending time in the wilderness of Dhofar's many wadis brings one close to nature.
“There are some spectacular rock formations in the canyons, but the great variety of flora taking root even in barren soil always fascinated me. I tried to comprehend all my thoughts about Dhofar in my book,” Gisela summarised.
@patkaushal
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