My 10 memories of being an 8 year old in Muscat. by Nicholla Henderson Hall

Some of you may or may not know but I lived in Oman as a child briefly in the early 80’s.  My memories are more of short photograph memories but I still hold on to them and when I sit with the family and we reminisce about growing up we are reminded of our short 2 year stay in Muscat.  Here are some of those memories.

1. Being dragged to the Muttrah souk by my parents to buy material, or get something fixed.  As a kid I hated it.  Walking those tight alley ways, all the smells, the noise etc but as an adult I’ve embraced all of that and wish I could have told my 8 year self to suck it up and enjoy it.  I walked the corniche as a child with an ice cream my parents were probably having those conversations we have today where we are admiring the buildings and imaging the stories they could tell.  If only!

2. Going shopping at what is now CCC centre to Al Fair supermarket – in those days it was all sand parking and bumpy. My video shop was also there called ‘voice and view’ - BEST copy video EVER! Today its a buzzing spot on the weekend of eateries but when I got there I do close my eyes and remember.

3. The Corniche Fish market. Gosh I loved the Corniche fish market.  Dad used to take us early in the morning to get king fish and prawns to go the barbecue that afternoon.  While I lived in Oman as an adult I loved visiting the one at Seeb. I would stand and watch the bartering on the large marlins or watch the guys discuss the catch of the day. 'Andak' fish was my favourite buy; such a great fish for a fish curry.  If you haven’t tried that fish, I’d recommend it. Its  a large red grouper fish.  It’s really meaty with great texture.

4. Princess Restaurant in Al Khuwair.  We had a take away from there every Friday.  It was the best food ever and time always went soooo slowly on Friday only because I wanted to get take away.

5. The Airport seemed so far away and yet today its only up the road. Weird how your mind remember things.

6. The donuts from the bakery at the Intercontinental Hotel.  Every Thursday Dad would go and get the donut box.  My love of donuts lived and died in Oman.  I don’t like donuts anymore but every time I see a donuts I think of Oman.

7. I remember the obsessive car cleaning syndrome my parents had.  My parents were never ones to be getting fines and so they became Obsessive Car Cleaners. I’m sure we had the most polished cars on the street.  

8. The Saab showroom what is now where Ferrari is today on the road up to Madinat Qaboos. I fell in love with those cars and vowed I’d own one when I grew up.  I never have done as it happens but that was my car choice and probably where my car obsession also started.

9. Oh the funniest memory was doing Guy folks night at The British School – MQ.  (When I was there it was Muscat English Speaking School) Down on the sports pitch we created a massive bonfire where the whole school turned up to watch.  BUT sadly it didn't last, the fire brigade came along and promptly put it out.  The Headmaster at the time Mr. Jones wasn't best pleased and his paperwork didn't count for anything.  Wonder what Mr. Jones would say about that now? It’s a funny memory.

10. The Express way which when I was there was a dangerous curvy road to take particularly at night because there was no lights.  Thankfully they improved that road and made things better.

So those are my short memories.  There are many more but I wanted to just share 10 of mine and see if any of you can relate to any of these.  Do you have childhood memories of Oman?

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

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.