Perfume Shopping in Muscat, Oman
Perfume Shopping in Muscat , Interesting, Rewarding and Different
Sep 17, 2009
Shopping in Muscat, capital of the Gulf State of Oman offers keen perfume buyers a new experience and a wide range of products to buy.
Mutrah Souq Covered Lanes and Free Samples
The first part of this is Mutrah Souq whose compact, covered lanes offer some welcome shade from the sometimes 40 degrees plus temperatures. The second part is the approach of the shops which work the passing crowds gently but are unrestrained in the giving of samples, information and suggestions. English is widely spoken and most sales staff are attentive without being overbearing and understand, even cater to, the human desire to keep on trying free samples.
Perfumes, and there is an impressive selection in nearly all shops, are stored in big jars which are usually plainly but prominently displayed on shelves behind the counter. Its then very much a case of ask and receive as free samples are freely dispensed to wrists and forearms.
Pastiches of Western Brands
Whilst some pastiches of Western brands are available (Fahrenhit anyone?) the local ones are rather intriguing and a bit exotic being the sort of smell that has people coming back to and trying to pinpoint exactly what it is to like about it. Disappointing though the patchouli oil was one called Sea Breeze, “with 120 ingredients” had a charm and a freshness to make any credit card quiver.
As for buying the usual formula is that 2.5ml, 5 ml and 10 ml bottles of perfumes are sold for 1.5, 2.5 and five Omani Rials.(One Oman Rial is worth US$2.6) In a nice twist nearly shops will then sell separately a small, specially made decorative bottle for the perfume to be decanted into at its destination. The price for this is usually one rial but some shopkeepers will drop the price or charge more for the larger ones. As far as gifts go being cheap, decorative and compact they cannot be beat; the problem is they are fragile glass bottles.
Whilst there are a good many perfume shops in the souk two, Al Bustan National Trading (Tel. 2411265) and Bahjat Nafaa Trading (Tel 713392) deserve special mention for the patience of their staff if nothing else.
A Key Part of the Frankincense Trail
And its not just people that can be made to smell nice as just outside the souq in a prefabricated concrete strip a row of open-fronted shops sell frankincense which when burned with charcoal gives a sweet, calming odour to many a room.
Frankincense is traditionally harvested from trees in the desert of Southern Oman. Its a very Arabian gift and product.
Usually sold as loose crystals in plastic bags and available in 250 grams, 500 grams and one kilogram the price of frankincense ranges from one rial to five depending on weight and quality. It is though usually sold unmarked and is the sort of package that raises eyebrows in customs in which case the jars of the rather sharp smelling sandalwood which are sometimes gift-packed make a better alternative.
In order to perfume their homes, and their clothes, Omani’s burn these crystals on small charcoal bricks in open containers which reflect the region they are from. The long-necked brass dishes are from the north with the chunky and sometimes brightly painted pottery containers at between two and five rials being from the Southern region of Salalah and catching the eye as they do the pots make better souvenirs of what is a interesting experience and place.
 |
 |
