"Out of sight, out of mind." Really !

I can never miss Muscat, or my old kitchen, for that matter.  After Abu Dhabi ‘s high rises, convenience stores,  late shopping hours,  cheap taxis,  et al,  this had a feel of going back to the stone ages.  Back in 2008 when we had moved there, expecting such a close neighboring nation to be more or less  the same, we were in for a shock.  To begin with, there was no door delivery of anything except drinking water cans – for which I had to make only about a hundred calls for them to begin the service.  Life felt painful even for the month or so it took to go through the myriad car showrooms that were spread along the expanse of Sultan Qaboos Road, the arterial Highway. Queries about anything from idli batter to used cars were met with the same sad-faced reply – Gonu.  The cyclone that battered Oman a year before will always haunt its people.  We decided to make it a short stint in this challenging place.

 But Muscat has its own magic and proceeded to get under our collective skins.  You cant really ignore a city that looks beautiful by day or night. The Majestic Sultan Qaboos Mosque, the new Opera house,  the beautiful  white beaches,  the soothing white buildings,  the  landscaped side-walks and roundabouts  are veritable delights to behold.  The sight of the corniche with the sea on one side and mountains on the other evokes images from an earlier era when men would stand guard looking out to sea, wary of seafarers.  A visit to the Mutrah Souk is like giving an all-day sucker to a little kid.  The mountainous terrain affords beautiful views of the Arabian Sea, but one always wonders how people of yore managed to get across  on foot without all the beautiful roads, fast cars and cheap petrol.

 And what friendly people !  In the early days, before our lofty Pajero (from Mitsubishi) had taken us in, and the Hertz rent-a-car had broken down in the middle of nowhere,  almost all passers- by  with spare seats in their cars offered help.  Although breakdowns  are uncommon in this Car-Heaven, when it does happen, you can see people helping to charge batteries or help changing a tire ! 

Plus it afforded all the luxuries of home.  One does not really have to go looking for an Indian Store in that part of the world.  A beautiful Krishna temple and an old world Shiva temple offer spiritual bliss to the tens of thousands who swarm them.  Indian restaurants,  Cinemas showing the latest Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil movies,  the Indian Social club,  even vegetarian restaurants  evoke the warmth you find only back home.

I saw "My Fair Lady" some 3 decades back. I can however recollect that it was only after Eliza Doolittle moved out that the learned Professor Higgins learn that he had fallen for her.

I love you, Muscat!  

Muscat views from a window

 

My kitchen is just plain. Like a canvass waiting for an artist. Not so my kitchen window. As I conjure up various creations for my unsuspecting family, I freely take peeks into the world outside.
With a backdrop of one of the world's largest car showrooms, I see many a mahout proudly washing his Corolla or Lancer, the desert sun cooling its heals in the bright evening.
Often I see nimble feet scurrying down the dry narrow "wadi", unmindful of the heat - Omanis must get this naturally or did they learn it from their goats and gazelles ?
 The garbage collector is out on his rounds again today and he is doing an admirable job. I thank him again mentally, for keeping this beautiful country clean.
The traffic on Sultan Qaboos Street is at a standstill. Must be an accident. How I wish it was dancing instead ! Like when Oman won the GCC cup ! What a moment that was !
The Toyota showroom IS busy today. Hope sales are up and the economy healthy. Hope HM's hard work is amply rewarded. Its the evening call for prayer already! gtg... dinner needs fixin

Truth is Sweet !

Yesterday's loyalty march showing support to Sultan Qaboos is indeed the true Oman. It feels like the 40th National Day celebrations now. Omanis and expats alike had an opportunity to express their love for this beautiful country, and its boss ! Muscat Daily's  front page gives the true picture. Then why all that hungama, one may ask... "Dal mein kuch kaalaa"- the non-Omani rioters have been arrested says Muscat Daily. Peace reigns..... thats the truth !

The 3 Rs

Reading rules while 'Riting takes a poor second. One finds oneself reading and reading - the net has infinite variety. But to put pen to paper - or more appropriately - fingertips to keyboard - is not so easy ! The winds of change are blowing this way and thoughts overflow to be recorded - thought - o -graph !