Nostalgia Lane-Muscat

We came to Oman in Nov 1990.

A difficult time in the world's, but even more so in the region's history.
The Gulf War had just started and the region was in turmoil.
A lot of people questioned the many reasons why we took that decision..

But we had decided and almost 19 years later are still here.
So as I sit and reflect today,there must have been some merit in that decision..

Between now and then, many things have changed.
Some for the bettter and some...not so

Things that I remember vividly are;

That little park near our house in Mumtaz area, where I would take Neha out to play every evening. However tired I was when I came home from work..

Then holding her in my arms, like a little baby and bringing her back home,simply because she announced that she was "tired" and wanted "Godi."

Another park in Qurum where many, many times we would take her to eat her meals.
Simply because she was too fussy to eat at home..

Today, as I pass by that place, it is unrecognizable.
Because that is the venue for the prestigious Muscat Opera House, which is already half complete.And when completed, is expected to rival even the Sydney Opera House..

So many of my friends at work, Sanjiv, Alma, Fatima,Maayi, Uma, Arun....along with so many others who are not here in Oman any more.
Having left for other shores..

Those lazy afternoons and early evenings by the Quriyat, Al Sawadi and Cantab beaches..
When we would pack cartloads of food and head out with friends and their kids..
Pratap and Neepa, Bobby and Raju, Shashi and Raj, Gita and Raman.
When calories didn't matter, just the sheer fun of being together did..

Along with so many other memories.
The Corniche, Matrah Souk, Al Bustan...and...and.. and..

But that is the thing about 'Nostalgia'.
Those moments in time that are gone.
Never to be re-captured.
Except in moments like these.