First impressions

We are now over the first few days of over-excitement from the new car (just about).

Yes we really like it, even if you see lots of these in every corner and the immediate use of the unlock button on the remote at the car park is to reassure you that you are definitely walking towards your own car and not the twin sister parked next to it - I guess this may seem like a boring choice for some but after years of nonsense with the Barchetta in the UK this is the perfect car for us here. It doesn't even matter that I need a ladder to get in ;) - which reminds me that I need to have a photo taken of me at the wheel to see how small I look in it.

Alex I'm afraid you will need to get over here to get a real feel for it but I am sure Simon will bore you to death talking about it when we are over in London in late November...or maybe you will both bore Julie and me ;)

So time is flying, I can't believe it's already over a month that I have moved over (and that we don't have a permanent home yet: as usual we always follow the right priorities).

So what's the first assessement?

Well, after overcoming the initial overwhelming feeling of moving to a foreign land and forgetting the minor hickups with the house and the inevitable yet mild initial cultural shock/adjustment, things are looking good.

The fact is that I am getting a full load of the one thing that I have craved the most in the last 12 years: the SUN; and then the second one too: the SEA.
I mean, how bad can a day be when you can end it with a walk along the beach at sunset? When you can plan your BBQs and weekends without worrying about the weather? When you don't need to carry an umbrella and a warm top in case the weather changes later on?
I'm in my element!

Muscat is a beautiful city. Blue sea, white houses and a dramatic mountain backdrop. With the temperatures now down to a more bearable 30+ degrees and a light breeze on the coast the haze has almost disappeared giving way to a beautiful blue sky. As you drive around town now everything seems to be blooming, I guess this is a bit like spring, now that the harsh heat has retreated colourful flowers, green grass and trees are florishing.

Life here is comfortable; eating out means that you can splash out at a posh hotel (where expensive is more like the average price for a top meal in London) or eat so cheaply (and still decently) that it will cost you less than cooking your own dinner at home.

Going out in the evenings you could sometimes be forgiven for forgetting what country you are in after a few drinks that is ;). The drill is the same: a few cocktails in a bar, then move to the next have a few more and end up in some dubious club full of odd individuals from all walks of life.
Just no dancing with a drink in your hands or the bouncer will tell you off. (uh?)
Soon it will be 3 am, the taxi will be right there for you at the exit, the ride back home will only cost you 5 Rials and in the morning you'll be nursing your hangover.

This is just to say that life here is more “normal” than I had anticipated, just with some interesting twists every now an then :)