Memories that linger and Ships at Sea- At the Matrah Corniche Oman

Add caption

When in Oman, one of my favourite 'things to do' is to head towards Muscat Harbour and the Corniche whenever I get the opportunity

More so if it's approaching twilight.

For that is really the time when one gets to see the best possible views, combined with some great 'photo-ops'.

Such as this one, one evening some time back.

When I saw one of the biggest ships that came calling into Muscat Port and one which created a big buzz for days after that.

But I really find it difficult to decide which was the moment I liked best.

The time when it was just twilight, or when it became dark and the ship moved onto the seas and then headed towards its next port of call.

Moving on and ahead- Next port of call

Wonder what you all thought...

Adventures of Arabia- A memorable visit Zafraniya in Muscat, Oman

Some time ago, close to sunset, we found ourselves in 'Zafraniya', or as is sometimes better known, Hillat Al Zadjali. It is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Muscat and certainly one of the prettiest. 

A lovely old home

Unexpected delights

Walking through, we came upon an old graveyard, with some children playing nearby, sometimes even running across the unmarked graves. It all seemed so natural, the 
football, the cycling and the running around. Yet one thought did cross my mind, whose graves were they sometimes stepping on?

Moving on, we came across one of the prettiest houses that I've seen, and here are a couple of pics to show you some of it. It was just like  a picture book house, yet there was a clear difference. It was all so 'lived in' with some hens clucking and eating their grain in the courtyard, kids swinging on their 'jhoolas' and ladies having their tea.

But the 'adventure of Arabia', as I like to term it. wasn't yet over. Moving on, we reached an old Shiva temple where worshippers were just going in for their evening prayer. 

A very old Shiva Temple 

Just as I stepped in the temple bells began to toll, and simultaneously, I could hear the sound of the 'Muezzin' calling the faithful for their evening prayer.

Talk of harmony, it was really and truly in that air...

Darcy's, my favourite cafe in Muscat and a memorable incident

We all have a place that we love to head towards time and again. A place where we can just sit  and have a chat with friends over a cup of tea, coffee or enjoy a quick meal. Or if you will, sit out in the sun , basking in the warmth of the venue, but even more, the sheer pleasure of being in a place where each member of the staff is keenly attuned to your requirements and greets you like a long lost friend the minute they catch sight of you.

I've got exactly one such place and its probably where I spend the most amount of time, outside my own home. This charming little cafe is called 'Darcys' and its located at Madinat Qaboos MQ) in Muscat.

      Darcy's, MQ, Muscat

While I'm fairly engrossed in my book, magazine or newspaper if I'm alone here, or chatting animatedly with friends or family in other situations, I  do take a look around and nod at a familiar face every now and then. Most of the customers are regulars just like me and over a period one gets to know them somewhat too.

But then there are the other faces that seem somewhat out of place and that is exactly the reason why they stay in the mind. Every other time that I'm there, I see a 35' ish local man, who has a slight limp- and if one looks at him closely, doesn't seem to be entirely normal. Now I don't know why that is so, but one generally avoids making eye contact with him, for fear of...? I really don't have the answer here, but am just sharing my  thoughts. And believe me, I'm not the only one there who does this, its probably the majority of others present too.As for the staff, I've noticed that they sat him in a quiet corner where hes served a cup of tea and a small bite and after a short respite, he's off and on his way..

But last weekend saw a departure from the norm. My husband and myself were sitting outside and having our scones and tea and this man walked out.It was evident that he'd finished and was leaving. But here's the real surprise. Just as he reached the small gate which serves as the exit and entry point, he stopped, looked directly at us and waved goodbye. I too waved back instinctively.

I really don't know what it was about that simple gesture, but it touched me a great deal. For all the times, I'd thought of him as 'not exactly normal" he'd been seeing and focusing on me as a person who he'd learnt to recognise. Then one day, he actually reacted and how!

I find myself thinking of him every now and then. And have made up my mind that I will have a real conversation with him when I see him next.

Just one more reason to head back to Darcy's ...

(N B -This post was originally written for my column My Take in Muscat Daily.)

Goodbye Oman and New Beginnings

A week from today and twenty four years after we came to Oman, we are planning to move back to New Delhi. For those of you who have followed this blog or my articles and columns, you know how much we love the country, the people and everything about it. Its truly been a memorable journey and we will always consider Oman to be our second home when we leave.

We are choosing to make our new beginnings in New Delhi which is where our parents and family are based and where we were living and working before we came to Muscat.   

Beauty truly does have an address-Oman

As I sit down and try to put my thoughts on this page, I confess to feeling emotional. I tried so many different ways to write this piece, but nothing seemed to be what I really wanted to convey. So I've decided to keep it short, sweet and simple and hope to write at length some other time. 

Magnificent sunsets

In Muscat-A street called Suneinah

Moving on and ahead

As Neale Donald Walsh once famously said, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone" and that's exactly what we are hoping to do as we say Goodbye to Oman and look forward to our new beginnings..