Jesse Emerson and his wife Catherine have found a unique way to enjoy and contribute to the Dhofar Khareef Festival. The couple, currently on a world tour from Oregon, USA, in their vintage 1983 Toyota camper truck, is not only soaking in the tranquillity of the Khareef Dhofar Season but also entertaining festival visitors with their captivating fire shows.
Drawn by the allure of the khareef, they decided to extend their stay in Salalah, performing daily at various festival venues. "We are almost always busy entertaining the visitors, and we are grateful to the Dhofar Municipality and the event organisers for this wonderful opportunity," said Catherine, who is deeply passionate about her craft. Despite years of performing, she still seeks Jesse's reassurance after each show, asking, "I hope I didn't make any mistakes during the show," to which they both respond with mutual encouragement and appreciation.
Their journey in Oman began in Salalah, a place they have grown fond of, with plans to visit Muscat by mid-September. "It's wonderful here, and it becomes even more magical with the changing season. The Omani people and everyone we've met from around the world have been incredibly kind, friendly, and helpful. It's truly amazing. It's also much more organised than other places we have visited, which we greatly appreciate," Catherine shared.
Spectators have been full of praise for their performances. Ayush, a festival-goer, described the show as "awesome" and made it a point to meet the couple after the performance. "I watched their entire show and waited afterward to meet them. It was flawless, especially considering they were working with fire throughout," he noted.
Acknowledging the challenges of their craft, the couple revealed, "We have had to leave our daughter with an Indian family so we can focus on our performances. However, we are happy that she is doing well there, learning new skills with the children." Their passion for fire dancing is evident. "Our performance evolves with every show, as we strive for perfection each time," they explained. As their time in Salalah draws to a close, the couple looks forward to exploring more of Oman, with Muscat as their next destination.
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