You've Got To Love Oman! by Vaishnav Ramesh

Everyone loves going places – Don’t we? it is indeed always exciting when you’re packing your bags to leave to a new country – be it a holiday, a temporary stay or a permanent move – whatever it is, it is quite an experience. Certainly, I was excited. It’s not like I’ve been living off my bags but then I would, I really would – no matter how tiring it is! That’s probably one of the main reasons I chose Sales & Marketing to be my career with the hope I travel extensively, as much as I want to.

“But hold on! Before I go any further – I must thank my friend for giving me the heads-up to write on how I feel being a newbie in Oman”. So, well this is how it all started – Sometime late last year I felt I needed a career shift, a role change and a role filled with more challenges. It was just about myself and not my employer! As i started my job hunt, my priority was to move outside India for the experience and Middle East being close to home was undoubtedly my first option. To be honest, the only place in my mind was Dubai (you know the exuberant luxurious life you live there, provided you make that kind of money!) Everyone wants to be there, all of us!

While I approached one of my old friends/colleagues/business contact little did I know Oman was in store. And mid December just when I thought my job hunt was reaching nowhere I get this call “Hey Vaish, we are expanding in Oman and I was thinking of you as a suitable candidate. Would you be interested? If yes, let’s meet up and discuss”. I was obviously excited thinking of going to a new place and to be part of a business that’s just setting up. It’s those typical dream of guys building their own start up – I was in this phase but I atleast got a chance to be part of a start-up though not my own. But my only hindrance then was – “Oh, no! Wait.. I wanted to move to Dubai but now Oman.. Umm.. Should I? Should I not? “

After a point though not fully convinced (because I wanted to move to Dubai) I started looking up about Oman on the internet. Trust me I had no god damn idea about Oman but thanks to friends, relatives etc etc who are spread all over started giving me a picture about Oman. Some said it’s a great place to be at, some said it’s okay, a couple of them said – NO! Man’s brain is such that even if a 100 people say good, what stays in our head is 2 people saying something negative about the place. But overall I got some very good responses and everything about Oman on the internet was nice – articles about people, the place, things to do and in general the place as such.

My thoughts about Oman, based on what I heard and read – I had the belief that it’s a place to look forward to, though not as outgoing as Dubai yet a country with friendly people and a well balanced life. So, finally having lived here for just above 6 months this is what I’ve to say about Ohhh maannnn (Oman) -

Friendly Souls

Just after I landed the first thing I noticed about Oman is this! The airport staff welcomes every passenger with a smile, literally. I had some mess up with my passport but these guys dealt with it so well and they treat everyone with so much respect. That was the start and I knew, Man! this place is good! I was a little bogged down with such a small airport but hey – the new Muscat International Airport is coming up next year! 

The roads!

This is one point all of us love about the Gulf Countries. A 4-6 lane road and with good speed limits, boy the roads gave me that initial excitement. With cheap fuel prices you’re free to drive as much as you want and wherever you want at any given time.

Society 

Let me admit that I was wondering how active social life is going to be in Oman. Though I had my hopes of building my own circle here I still had my own doubts. But over 6 months the circle is building and society is definitely friendly – Omanis, Indians, Srilankans, Expats All nationals are friendly! Simply put, mankind is pretty sweet here and restores faith in humanity. More on this coming up, soon!

Culture

A very sweet, friendly, human culture. A society that believes in rich historical traditional values and the best of all is the similarity of family bonding. Family values of Omanis are extremely high which is quite similar to the Indian tradition (I understand there might be different cultures similar to this). I don’t mean offense to other culture’s just because I haven’t mentioned it here.

Racism Free

No offense to anyone but many think going to one of the Gulf Countries is going to land up in problems and you’ll have to face racism. But as far as my experience goes, there is no racism and one of the friendliest places I’ve been too. I might come across a lot more but as on date Oman tops the list and is definitely one of the most friendliest.

Landscapes and natural beauty

Ups, downs and curves meeting the ocean. One might wonder Oman is all about just endless deserts considering it’s the Middle East. But this place surprises with you some lovely landscapes and natural beauty. It’s really something for one to experience that leaves you jaw dropped!

Work-life Balance – Easy Steady and at Peace

This is what I love about this place. Everyone is calm, at ease and at a steady pace. The best way I could put it is – well balanced! If you’re talking work-life balance this place has given it to me.

Nightlife

I got to be honest here – This is no Dubai, Sin City – Vegas or Amsterdam but you definitely have a few places to unwind yourself. Over time as you build your own circle of friends all the parties and fun you want will happen!

Patriotism – At it’s peak! 

I must admit I love my country, I love India and home is where I would want to go back. Having said that I must say I’m quite astonished and been having the “WOW” moments looking at Oman celebrate National Day. It’s not a day’s celebration, it’s more a like a week celebration, or even more. It’s like they won a soccer world cup or won against a rival. Color lights, decoration everywhere, rallies everywhere and the best of all – cars with stickers of the national flag and Sultan’s photo. This country has shown me the love people can have for a country and their marvelous leader – His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. Total Respect!!!

Don’t be surprised if with time I write more about Oman. If ever you get the chance to visit Oman, please do and we’ll be glad to welcome you!

By: Vaishnav Ramesh

all images courtesy for Vaishnav

Oman National Day

Oman has a grandiose history. However, what is most relevant for the world to sit up and notice about, is what Oman has achieved since the 1970s.

In 1970, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos  Bin Said acceded to the throne, the growth in industry and infrastructure since then has been radical. In the 1960s, the same households that lived without electricity, roads and used water out of Falaj streams, had them all inclusive of free education and medical help by the end of the 1970s. By the early 1990s, the worst nightmare for an Omani is the AC not working, a necessity that did not exist just a few decades earlier.

How many of you have a picture in the Corniche back then and now?

Oratory and harangues by political leaders have either been cliché and archived to the ash heap of history and viral twitter humor or have been phenomenal and erudite, setting vision about the path of progress and inspiring listeners with an unrelenting hold encouraging them to action . Like PM Narendra Modi, President Barrack Obama to King George VI, HM Sultan Qaboos maintains this oratory ritual of delivering speeches every National Day ever since the first historical speech on July 23rd 1970  (which is often referenced by Omanis about the "new Oman").

With over 4 decades of Renaissance, Oman has put in place a world-class infrastructure in terms of roads, flyovers, hospitals, schools, universities, ports, airports, industrial estates, transport and communication and continues its march towards all-round development.

Oman is still in its early stages of setting up railway system.  Muscat International and Salalah International Airport including three regional airports are under development and several projects specifically leisure resorts, golf courses and hotels are planned / underway to boost the tourism sector.  Concentration on human resource development continues to be the base of sustainable development policies adopted by the Sultanate. Huge attention is being paid towards the welfare and development of citizens considering the basic role to be played by them as a resource in the continuing development of the Sultanate.

As we all enjoy the long weekend, city light up in decorations and fireworks this 44th National Day,  we wish His Majesty and everyone in Oman with peace, health, prosperity and success.

Read more at www.omanforamericans.wordpress.com

Muscatwhere.com - the Brain of Muscat.

www.Muscatwhere.com

So Muscat-Where Can I Find (MWCIF) has become a MASSIVE database of credible useful community information which helps newbies and long time residents of Muscat find what they need. The process is simple, you ask and members of the community answer with their recommendations, suggestions and insight. In the 4.5 years the group has existed, the group has amassed a database of over 28,000 posts and over 165,000 comments. It surely is the brain of Muscat.

Simple Process
The process is simple. All the information shared is automatically updated via the Facebook group to muscatwhere.com so you can search to see if you your question has been asked and if it has been answered. So if you are looking for chia seeds, a handy man, a particular product/service or even information then this tool will download old posts and comments related to what you are looking for.

Keyword Search
Using the tool is simple. You type in your keyword, your date limits and click 'Search' and the tool will download all posts/comments relevant to that keyword. All you have to do is look through them and see if any of them are relevant. You can then head over to the particular post in the group by clicking 'go to post' and commenting again or just writing down the information you need.

Check out your own Posts and comments
You can also see your own posts and comments so you can see what you have written in the past. I thought that would be nice to see our own posts and remember what we have asked for.

So now there is no need to worry about 'I can't find a post' or 'does anyone remember a post about..' - just head over to www.muscatwhere.com - type in your keyword and be on with the rest of your day.


Nicholla :) 

(MWCIF Creator)

Movies to Watch out for this Winter. By Kay G

Movies To Watch Out for this Winter.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Release Date : November 21, 2014

Director:  Francis Lawrence

Genre: Sci-Fi

Starrng:  Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson

Plot: Katniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.

The boxtrolls

(3D stop motion, CG hybrid animated film based on Here Be Monsters By Alan Snow)

Release Date : Already released. September 2014.

Director: Graham Anable, Anthony Stacchi

Genre: Animation, 3D, Comedy

Starring (Voice) : Ben Kingsley, Simon Pegg, Elle Fanning, Issac Wright, Toni Collette

Plot: An orphaned boy is raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls. He comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Arichibald Snatcher.

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

Release Date : December 2014

Director :Peter Jackson

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy

Starring:  Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett

Plot: The Company of Thorin has reached Smaug's lair; but can Bilbo and the Dwarves reclaim Erebor and the treasure? And, if so, can they hold on to it?

Night at the museum part- 3

Release Date: December 19, 2014

Director: Shawn Levy

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Dan Stevens, Rebel Wilson, Ben Kingsley

Genre: Adventure, Comedy

Plot: Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled Night At the Museum ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.

The Theory Of Everything

Release Date: Already released, September 2014

Director:James March

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones

Genre: Drama, Romance 

Plot: A movie adaptation of Jane Hawking's book.  Stephen Hawking (played by Eddie Redmayne, Les Misérables) and Jane (Felicity Jones, The Invisible Woman) fall deeply in love during their Cambridge days. His earth-shattering diagnosis leads him to embark on his ambitious study of the nature of time with Jane fighting tirelessly by his side. 

Penguins of Madagascar

Release Date:  November 26, 2014

Directors:  Eric Darnell , Simon J. Smith

Starring:  Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Benedict Cumberbatch

Genre : Animation, Adventure,Comedy

Plot: Four birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private join forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Led by handsome and husky Agent Classified). Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, from destroying the world as we know it.

Interstellar

Release Date: November 5, 2014

Director:   Christopher Nolan

Starring:   Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Plot: A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

Big Hero 6

Release Date: November 5, 2014

Directors:   Don Hall | Chris Williams

Starring:   Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, T.J. Miller

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Plot: The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.

Annabelle

Release Date : October 3, 2014

Director: John Leonetti

Starring: Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, Alfre Woodard

Genre: Horror

Plot : Centers on the doll seen in the 1970s Rhode Island-set Conjuring, which starred Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson and was directed by James Wan.

Interstellar (IMAX/2D)

Release:      November 7, 2014

Director: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Matthew Montgomery ,Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine

Bill Irwin, Matthew McConaughey

Genre: Sci Fi

Plot: A sci-fi film that delves into Caltech physicist Kip Thorne's theories of gravity fields. A space travel story about a group of explorers who travel through a worm hole and into another dimension. Based on real science, the film will explore the mind-bending territory of black holes and gravity waves and touch on some of the hypotheses that Albert Einstein chased but never could prove.

(Kay G is a Community Writer with Muscat-Where Can I Find. She has been a blogger since 2008 and you can find her at her website http://bladenomics.wordpress.com and her photoblog at http://360degreeview.wordpress.com)

6 Top Winter Activities in Muscat by Vaishnav Ramesh

So with winter round the corner all of us are sure looking forward to it. I've been here only 5 months as on date so I'm really looking forward to winter in Oman - my first winter experience in Oman, more so because all I've heard right from time I landed till date is the beauty of winter in Oman - so that makes it all the more curious.

So here are a couple of things we can indulge in making the best use of winter.

1) Take your machine on a drive - One thing that has been giving me utmost pleasure in Oman is the fantastic road infrastructure. In this part of world with such pleasure-to-drive roads and extremely cheap fuel the best option would be is to endlessly keep driving, go on long distant drives, a desert safari. You could pretty much do anything by yourself when you go on a drive. 

2) Go Camping - This is one thing that is so common in this part of the world. Just the fact that you've such lovely landscapes around, good cars and roads to drive, camping somewhere on the outskirts would be a good option too

3) Take a stroll on the beach with your loved ones - The best chance to start work-life balance! 

Considering the life we all live in money plays so much importance. We are all dragged into the maddening rat race of business and personal chores. But, as we all know it there's more to life - End your hard days of work by taking your family to the beach, go on and walk with them and have a good laugh. With winter around you don't have to be worried about sweating. It's no-sweat time, literally!

4) Start that long pending exercise you've been wanting to start - Ever since! 

I'm sure most of us have been wanting to hit the gym to stay fit. Instead how about a jog? Save the buck and may be start running - trust me you will love it!

5) Sit by the beach and there's so much you can do - Spend time talking, or make some barbecue or just read a good book - the best way to let your creative brain work. Oh well, if you're making some barbecue please make sure you invite me. 

6) Karak Tea - If you're a tea lover let's forget the fancy swanky coffee shops (I love them but let's have a change). Stop by one of these small tea shops and experience the Hot karak tea. We will let you experience it rather than us explaining it to you. 

These are some of the suggestions I've to offer at the moment. If you've more please feel free to suggest and share so that I make sure my first winter in oman is exciting.

Thank you!

Regards,

Vaishnav Ramesh

(A member of the Muscat-Where Can I Find Community Writing Team. If you would like to contact Vaishnav, his email address is vaish1703@gmail.com)

No More Excuses - by Vidya Ramaswamy

It’s that time of the year in Oman, when we can no longer hide behind our favourite excuse to avoid being outdoors. “But it’s too hot outside! Inshallah next month.” Well you better believe it, that month is here. It’s October, folks and soon the land of sun and sand will pretty much become the land of just sand (well not quite, but you know what I mean).

I’m sure that we have spent enough time in the air-conditioned shopping malls, the air-conditioned cinemas, the air-conditioned homes, the air-conditioned offices, not to mention the air-conditioned cars that take us to and fro. Our bodies must be starved for some much-needed fresh air, and there’s no better time to get loads of it.

“But everything is so far away!” What’s that? Is that another excuse I hear? When’s the last time you took a stroll down the Muscat Corniche? How about just lying down on the grassy areas along Shatti beach? Speaking of beaches, we are lucky to be surrounded by such clean, wonderful beaches. I don’t know about you, but I love the feeling of cold sand under my feet. It’s almost sort of therapeutic.

Of course, for the more adventurous, there are plenty of wadis and canyons and villages that need exploring. Sometimes, you don’t really even need a destination to get to. Find a nice secluded spot in the middle of the mountains, and camp there for a night. Tell me that watching shooting stars zoom by in the clear night sky doesn’t make you feel like a 5 year old again. However, when you’re leaving city limits, please only venture out in groups. It’s just safer that way.

“But all my friends are lazy. Where do I find people to get out of town with?” Aha! Nice try, you almost got me there. Guess what? You’re at the right place. All you need to do is…

MWCIF people who want to get out and enjoy the glorious Muscat winter with me?

… and watch the responses flow in!


Vidya is a member of the community Writing Team for Muscat - Where Can I Find.  Her email address vids249@gmail.com.

What tips would you offer up to Muscat Newbies?

In our MWCIF survey we found 17% of members were newbies to Oman or had been in the country less than 1 year.  So the following on question to this survey is

'What top tips would you offer up to Muscat Newbies?

answers below in the comments section please. :)

cheers

P.S. if you want to see the survey we took check out the November newsletter.  

P.S.. If you liked the newsletter and want to join it then follow this link - NEWSLETTER SIGN UP FORM

Shout out to our Knowledge Ambassadors.

We are a busy group. Everyday we have questions and answers shared between members.  Its amazing how much knowledge is passed round.

One of the tasks I have been doing is when I see a question I can't answer but I know someone that does then I tag the member's name in the comments box so they can find the question quickly and share their knowledge.  Its a great way of just getting information to the questioner.

But I don't know everyone and so I decided to ask members of the group what their interest/specialty area was. You know, create a list of 'Knowledge Ambassadors' - members that know a lot more about a subject and are happy to share their knowledge and insight.

Very quickly this became a great question to have asked the members. I was really impressed with the answers and the engagement to the question.  Everyone shared a new dimension of themselves which I previously didn't know and I'm sure like me you have wondered about who does what on a daily basis.

So without further ado - here is the a list of 'Knowledge Ambassadors', This is my go to list for when I see a question and know off the top of my had who can help answer the question.  Thanks so much for everyone that contributed and shared.  Its list like this that make us feel more connected with our community and help find what we are looking for quicker.

Well done guys.

p.s - if you are reading this and you have a hobby/special interest/specialty that is not on the list then please let me know so I can add you to the list.  Its all about getting to know our community better. :)