Al Shindagah

16 | Al Shindagah | Issue 140 stepping back into my past AL BURAIMI took a day trip to the neighbouring Sultanate of Oman in mid-January and was overwhelmed by the reception I received from our Omani neighbours. I have been meaning to return to Al Buraimi for some time. In my youth, my family owned a cluster of palm huts in the Buraimi Oasis. I often spent my holidays there and have always had fond memories of it. The area was once part of Al Ain, and until 2006 there was an open border. Today it is located just across the border from the United Arab Emirates. I was accompanied on my latest journey by my brother Sultan, my three sons and one of my grandsons. I wanted them to get a glimpse of my past. It was a nostalgic journey which reminded me of the relaxing times we would spend in Al Buraimi. I remember one summer we rented a date farm where we gathered dates ourselves and carried home sacks of them. I remember it like it was yesterday. The air was fresh, clean and crisp and the fresh vegetables were delicious. I remember how the springs used to gush and flow like small rivers. It was remarkable to see that this oasis, which has been continuously inhabited for some 4,000 years, continues to thrive because of an I Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor CULTURE