In today’s hustled life, each one of us longs for serene tranquillity. Salalah in Dhofar Governorate is the right location where nature is generous enough to enthral everyone with its resplendent reserves of beauty.
Over and above that is the warm and benevolent culture of Dhofaris which is an influential and impressive add-on that is worth cherishing even after one has left Salalah.
Be it at the wadis or at the beaches they are always there to offer and share their tea or scrumptious meals, an example of next-level hospitality; something which has lost its meaning in an otherwise ruthless world.
But are we doing our part fair enough not to cause any disturbance in the lives of locals out there?
Salalah in Dhofar hosts a copious number of tourists during the khareef season but with tourism come manifold responsibilities on the administration in the wake of numerous visitors and their needs.
The stuffed cars on the roads, the beaches, and wadis spurting with a plethora of people demand a fine sense of vigilance from the authorities which they do applaudingly well. From litter pickers to rescue workers, no one is leaving any stone unturned to make your stay a pleasant one. As a visitor, it is on our part too not to cause unnecessary trouble for the locals as well as for the authorities who are already overwhelmed with added responsibilities.
When outdoors make sure we are not littering now and then as littering is the chief aftermath that locals have to deal with once the khareef is over. Yes, we have litter pickers but let’s not make their job into a tedious one that they go awry picking every peck of litter from one end of the Ginormous Mountain to another.
No one opts for such a job out of choice but out of sheer necessity to run a household back home. Let’s be not harsh on them. The same goes on for rescue workers. Be cautious not to go beyond safety signs endangering your life as well as of others. While clicking selfies or making reels always put forth your safety.
When the rest of the world is facing environmental crisis and global warming issues; Dhofar offers a place of respite to take off your weariness and rekindle the lost vibe, it is incumbent on us too to keep the region spick-and-span. As hospitality is a vital pillar of Dhofar culture, we should also be that guests who don’t trouble the host with our negligent behaviour.
It’s up to us to be that guest who leaves the host’s space into a mess which is a daunting task to take care of later. Or the one who is longed and awaited to create the magical moments of togetherness?
Dr Nisma Haris
The writer is a general physician health and wellness advisor
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