Getting my driver's license

Part of the fun of moving to a new country is experiencing events of the everyday Omani. During our first week, all of the new teachers went to get our driver's licenses together. We did not have to do a driving test or a written test. We did however have to take the eye exam. I wasn't worried about this because I had just had my eyes checked in Colorado before I left and the doctor said my prescription had not changed. I just happened to be the first one in line for the eye exam. I placed the piece of plastic over one eye, then the other. It was a bit difficult, but felt I could see the letters well enough. It seemed odd that all of the letters were in the same shape, a capital E. So I went through the test saying E, M, W and backwards E because when they turned the E, that's what it looked like. After talking with everyone else, I found out that I was the only one that was given this test. When I got my results back, I asked Nasr, who was our Omani get things done man, how I had done. He said that I had missed several, but not to worry. I later found out that the reason the letters looked the same was that they were, but you were supposed to say in what direction they were facing. (left, right, up, down) After me, they changed the test to the English alphabet because I had done so poorly. In the end, I received my license and helped everyone else even though I most likely failed the eye exam. One of those experiences, I will not forget. Here are a couple more random photos from my first days. I am working on my first week post and will update soon. The pics are form my first visit to the beach (10 min. away) and the Mutrah souq. (20 min. away)