Google Maps

 I journeyed back to Muscat from the central mountains and saw some interesting things along the way- 

I forgot to mention but on departing the airport after arriving in Muscat I was almost immediately pulled over by one of Muscat’s finest.  I was perplexed as I wasn’t speeding or doing anything else wrong that I was aware of (I had barely left the airport).  As I have experience with these stops (eg Argentina), I employed my time tested strategy of playing it as dumb as possible (some will say this comes quite naturally) 

The conversation went something like this- 

Officer:  “Something in Arabic or Omani or whatever  

Me:  “Huh?  What?  No Omani whatsoever “

O: “Problem   License”  

M:  “Huh?  What??  Problem?”

O:  “This is not Omani license “

M:  “Huh?  What?  Omani license?  Well no.  American license   Very good license “  

O:  “Was following you   Phone   Problem “

M:  “Huh?  What problem with phone?  Wasn’t calling anybody. Who would I call?  Was just using Google maps to get to my hotel. I just got to Oman sort of by mistake  it is a bit of a long story officer.  You see I was trying to avoid the war.  Now I don’t whose side you favor but I….”

O:  Shakes his head  “Problem with phone”  

M:  “No problem.  Very good phone.  Iphone 16.  You see I thought about buying the new i17 or perhaps the i15, but the i16 was on sale and-

O:  "No, no, problem using phone."

 M:  "Using phone???  Yes using Google Maps as I just got to Muscat.  Very nice people at airport, but needed Google Maps."

O:  “Huh?  What?  Google maps?"

M:  Me sensing a solution and raising my voice-  “Google Maps!!!  Google Maps!!!

O:  Looks at me perplexed   “Huh?!  (Or equivalent in Arabic)

M:  “Google Maps to hotel!!!  Google Maps!!”  I shout sensing  I have stumbled upon the magic words  

With resigned look on his face, he hands me my license and says “GO!!”  

“Thank you.  Peace be upon you officer!” I say and speed off while looking down at Google Maps