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Eating well and the generosity of strangers

10 December 2023 6:10 am

meal in Oman

Our magnificent dinner in Oman

Arabia is a melting pot of cuisines. Of course, foods from the peninsula—United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen— are represented, as well as foods popular with the many workers who have flocked to jobs there.

We’ve seen restaurants specialising in dishes from Bangladesh, India, Ireland, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and more. 

restaurant kitchen

But one night’s meal stands out as particularly special for many reasons. We stayed two nights at the Salalah Garden Hotel in the south of Oman. This huge hotel covers more than a city block and is located over an equally large shopping mall complete with countless restaurants and a food court. 

But that’s not where we ate. The first day, Poor John and I walked all the way around the hotel. About halfway, we noticed a small restaurant next to a petrol station.

proud chef

The head chef

This was a magnet to Poor John, but I said I’d really rather not eat in the ‘driveway’ of a service station if I didn’t have to. Of course, the next night that’s exactly where four of us ended up. New Zealand sisters, Rose and Susan joined us. 

We were quite surprised to see how busy it was, with customers at tables and plenty of people popping in to pick up takeaway.orders. 

There was a menu posted on the wall and a handwritten sign listing the specials. 

specials menu

Specials menu

We ordered the three specials—beef pepper, chicken pepper and the fish fry, which the waiter (owner?) was keen for us to try. Also ordered rice, salad and another chicken dish. As an aside, an Omani rial is worth about A$4.

We chatted with some of the customers and I was allowed to take pictures of the kitchen and staff. But the big surprise came when the food arrived and a customer said that he was paying for our meals. He said, more or less, that we were guests in his country and it was the least he could do. 

But we were in for another surprise. The food was superb, especially the fish fry. I could eat that every day. Done to perfection. 

menu

As we left, I asked the waiter (owner?) if the man who paid for our dinner was likely to come in again. It seems he eats there regularly, so we asked the waiter to once again pass on our thanks for his generosity.

Notes; If Google maps is right, the restaurant is called Saleemkka’s. Also, this 54-day adventure includes 22 nights of camping. That’s when the group takes turns cooking dinner and breakfast. We have eaten very well.

Saleemkka's Restaurant

Saleemkka’s Restaurant in Oman. The petrol station is to the left

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Posted by leggypeggy

Categories: Food and drink, Middle East, Oman, overland travel

Tags: , , ,

45 Responses to “Eating well and the generosity of strangers”

  1. I can understand, John’s attraction to the smaller restaurant. My DAD always said they had the best food and so far that has not let down!

    Liked by 1 person

    By GP on 10 December 2023 at 6:21 am

    1. We totally support hole-in-the-wall restaurants, but the service station driveway made me wary. I know better now.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 1:16 pm

  2. I’ve found the same thing on my travels, strangers won’t let you pay for a service
    I had my boots sewn up (the sole had come adrift) in Pakistan, he spent two hours sewing them up, by hand, I tried to pay him, only to be told ‘You are a guest in my country’
    I have never forgotten that, it’s one of my favourite memories of my travels (I threw him 20 dollars and ran away)
    A lady repaired my shirt outside of my campground, she pushed all he other work aside and seed it up, she told me the same thing, I bought her a meal, she just refused money
    It seems to me that the people that have so little always give the most
    Derrick

    Liked by 2 people

    By Derrick on 10 December 2023 at 6:55 am

    1. Thanks Derrick for sharing your stories of generosity from strangers. There are so many on our travels.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 1:18 pm

  3. Thanks for sharing this idea Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    By 100 Country Trek on 10 December 2023 at 6:57 am

    1. You are most welcome.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 1:19 pm

  4. I have had extremely good luck with small, out-of-the-way restaurants around the world. One of the most amazing was down a narrow alley in Izmir. We figured out what to order when we found out that we could all get by in German. I remember that dinner so well. And your benefactor! What a lovely gesture. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    By Lynette d'Arty-Cross on 10 December 2023 at 7:02 am

    1. What a great memory you have from Izmir.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 1:20 pm

  5. That is great. We have “kissed a lot of frogs to find a prince” but a prince of a place is always worth it. It is also lovely to have a reminder that despite what the news media blasts at us all the time, there a good people everywhere.

    Liked by 2 people

    By ralietravels on 10 December 2023 at 7:14 am

    1. We have been lucky enough to rarely meet unkindness.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 1:21 pm

      1. I was not clear. We too have met kindness everywhere. Our “frogs” were less than satisfactory restaurants.

        Liked by 1 person

        By ralietravels on 10 December 2023 at 10:55 pm

      2. We gravitate to holes-in-the-wall. Usually clean and still in business because they are okay.

        Liked by 1 person

        By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 12:08 am

  6. What a charming experience 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    By June Lorraine Roberts on 10 December 2023 at 7:20 am

    1. And delicious too. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 1:21 pm

  7. There are so many wonderful people in this world, we just have to remember that! Stories like yours remind us of this! Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    By Anna on 10 December 2023 at 10:00 am

    1. You’re most welcome.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 1:22 pm

  8. You are ‘travelling’ and experiencing and learning in a way most people never do. Lucky you – nay, wise you! For an hour there you really were esteemed guests in the country because you showed you were willing to see and learn . . .

    Liked by 1 person

    By Eha on 10 December 2023 at 10:54 am

    1. I think travel is all about learning.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 1:25 pm

  9. So many riches … a delicious meal in an unlikely place and then the kindness of the fellow customer. Sweet story of what travel is all about!

    Liked by 1 person

    By lexklein on 10 December 2023 at 2:08 pm

    1. These are the memories that stay with us.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 10 December 2023 at 3:04 pm

  10. It looks wonderful. People are so kind. I have a horrible feeling people would not be so kind if they came to Britain.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Emma Cownie on 10 December 2023 at 7:52 pm

    1. Here’s hoping that kindness spreads everywhere.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 12:09 am

  11. You did so well seeking this out. I would have been with Poor John

    Liked by 1 person

    By derrickjknight on 10 December 2023 at 9:38 pm

    1. We were so happy to find it.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 12:10 am

  12. What a wonderful experience, and how magnificent the kindness of that stranger.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen on 11 December 2023 at 2:25 am

    1. It really was so unexpected and so kind.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 12:11 am

  13. I would never have tried that restaurant, so you taught me a lesson if I ever go to Oman. Amazing that the stranger paid for 4 meals out of natural generosity.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    By beetleypete on 11 December 2023 at 4:01 am

    1. We were so surprised and so appreciative.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 12:15 am

  14. What a wonderful experience, Peggy. Delicious food and a welcoming environment. Isn’t it wonderful to meet people and share a meal that is lovingly prepared.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Rebecca Budd on 11 December 2023 at 6:36 am

    1. We’re in Kuwait now and hope to find another promising place to eat.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 12:14 am

      1. I can hardly wait to join you at the restaurant.

        Liked by 1 person

        By Rebecca Budd on 12 December 2023 at 7:16 am

      2. Stay tuned. Last night’s choice was a disappointment.

        Like

        By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 2:55 pm

  15. This sounds like just the amazing kind of travel experience that you hope for – local, authentic, unexpected, and good.
    Alison

    Liked by 1 person

    By Alison and Don on 11 December 2023 at 12:34 pm

    1. It really did tick all the boxes.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 12:13 am

  16. Delightful, Peggy. An experience to remember for sure. A combination of good food and a stranger’s generosity.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Curt Mekemson on 12 December 2023 at 8:47 am

    1. An experience we hope to pay forward soon.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 12 December 2023 at 2:52 pm

      1. I wondered about that. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        By Curt Mekemson on 13 December 2023 at 2:50 am

  17. Looks like my sort of place. Great food! Looking forward to more.

    Tony
    https://www.breadtagsagas.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    By tony on 13 December 2023 at 10:01 am

    1. We’ve had a lot of great meals, but the fish fry has been among the best dishes.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 13 December 2023 at 1:50 pm

  18. LeggyPeggy,

    I always like to find a restaurant in which locals frequent. You were fortunate
    to find that “Out of the way” restaurant. And they had very good food to eat… especially the Fry Fish! Plus a complete stranger, offered to pay for the meals. As mentioned in the comments, in some of the poorer countries there are always good kind people who are just happy that tourists visit their country.

    Sy S

    Liked by 2 people

    By Sy S on 22 December 2023 at 8:28 am

    1. The generosity and friendliness throughout Arabia has been heartwarming. Two days ago in Riyadh, a restaurant owner would not let us pay for our lunch.

      Like

      By leggypeggy on 22 December 2023 at 3:11 pm

  19. A beautiful story, well told.

    Liked by 1 person

    By MichaelStephenWills on 3 March 2024 at 11:55 pm

    1. Thanks so much. A meal worth remembering.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 4 March 2024 at 2:53 pm

  20. Moments like this give me hope mankind has what it takes to cross the barriers of aggression find their true kindness. What a lovely evening! xxxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    By jeanleesworld on 28 July 2024 at 9:19 pm

    1. A really special memory.

      Liked by 1 person

      By leggypeggy on 28 July 2024 at 9:29 pm

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