Today we had our first 2 concerts at the festival. This festival is not anything like i've seen ever! it's like a miniature world's fair. Every country is represented, well, except for most of western europe and for the US it's us and KFC! But there is a whole section dedicated to Omani traditions and customs, filled with wedding traditions, to songs and dance, making of baskets, playing chess with sea shells and of course food. Then there is a whole international section that is like that Omani section but with countries like Sudan, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam a bunch more. It's amazing. Tonight we played with the beautiful backdrop of a huge mountain range, it was not a full house but the poeple that were there were generous in their spirit. People have been so friendly and nice here, everyone told us this but it is really true, I have more to say but right now I am sleepy and hope to make more grand statements in the future.

We arrived today in Muscat. Our day started yesterday the 13th hustling around brooklyn, teaching 2nd grade choir then boarding a plane then 20 hrs later arriving in Muscat. It feels so great to be here, the air is warm, everyone is hanging out eating on terraces at 1am. It's 4 am now and I am doing all in my power to go to sleep, not yet possible though. We are staying in a superbly lovely hotel, everything is beautiful and clean and they made us dinner even though it was after hours! Tomorrow is our day off, time for exploring this lovely city, I hope to see water, market's and nice cup of turkish coffee in the morning!