1986. Raysut, south eastern Oman. (Photos: Steve Lobb)
We are standing by the side of the road, my dad, mom, older brother and 12 year old me, when a dark, 4 door Mercedes pulls over. The driver speaks english and offers us a ride. My dad enthusiastically accepts. The driver is an Omani business man, dressed in the smart white, flowing garb of the region. I can’t remember his name.
Despite being enroute to the office, he skips work and spends the day showing us the sights. We visit markets, a desert oasis, see palaces and camels. Lots of camels. He shows us where wild frankincense grows, and we brake off hard chunks of aromatic sap from the rugged bushes.
At days end he drives us back to the port of Raysut where our boat is.
Kindness flourishes even in the barrenness of the desert. These are the moments of hospitality that remind you that there is more kindness than unkindness in the world.
Home on the Roam 
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