In the fall of 2003, I was surprised to receive a call from the United States Department of State's ART in Embassies Program asking me to visit the Sultanate of Oman and exhibit my exhibition, "People's Lives: A Photographic Celebration of the Human Spirit." I quickly accepted.

Oman is a small country surrounding Saudi Arabia on the eastern and southern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula. In the extreme north, it projects into the ocean creating the strategic Straits of Hormuz separating the Arabian Gulf from the Gulf of Oman. Through this narrow passageway, pass a high percentage of the world's oil

I flew to the capital city of Muscat via London after the official responsibilities were complete enjoyed touring about the country photographing and talking with local citizens. Oman is an unspoiled land where travel is comfortable and interesting because of the kindness and hospitality of the Arab people. Here is their story.

So here it is: Oman as I have experienced it.