On the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula, the desert turns green as clouds cover it like a blanket. This is the country of Oman's monsoon season. The natural event, which lasts for three months, draws hundreds of thousands of tourists with cool weather and beautiful views. It began this year on June 21. A 60-day festival, in Oman's Dhofar region, draws about 50,000 people every night for dance competitions, musical performances, and exorcisms. In the midst of the clouds, people celebrate Oman's cultural diversity of Arab, African, and Asian roots. Officials in Dhofar region started the monsoon festival in 1998. The monsoon festival now draws performers from 40 countries.