Return from the Gulf
I made it back in one piece and really enjoyed the opportunity to see this area of the world. What an interesting blend of modern and traditional. It's quite interesting to see how these two "worlds" interact without really clashing. Oman especially is a perfect example of this. Further, it really has some stunning beaches and if you can tolerate the heat, you'll have plenty of opportunity to discover remote, secluded beaches where you can be all alone....and at times the first to ever be there. I'm also quite compelled by the market opportunity in the Gulf States. Population-wise these are small regions but taken as a whole, they are a large enough market with explosive growth. I see the most potential in the mobile sector. The area is lagging behind Europe but the uptake is quick. I was shocked to find out that for example in Kuwait, if you want a Blackberry, the wait is up to two months via local retail channels. This is wild! Everyone I talked to while there though is completey gadget addicted. The right mix of service and software down there is a potential gold-mine. I would even gander that there are a bunch of companies who are missing out on opportunities because they simply aren't aware or choose not to care about this region. I'm most likely back down in the area towards the end of August and am really looking forward to experiencing more.
P.S. See that photo above? It's not fog you see.....it's the heat and humidity.
