The event of the month

In a recent post I created a list of signs that give away the fact that you’ve been in the Middle East for too long.

You may remember a vague mention to getting excited at the opening of a new supermarket in town, so here we go a whole post dedicated to the occasion. A brand new Al Fair has come to this part of town and this is something definitely worth mentioning. 

 Al Fair is the Gulf version of a grocery store half way between Waitrose and something else: (inflated) Waitrose prices & something else quality; the best you can find in town in terms of variety and availability of pricey western expat favourites; last but not least it has a whole craftily semi-hidden, “behind a narrow alleyway”, strictly for infidels PORK SECTION. 

Yes, my eyes were watering at the juicy 20 EUR per gram pork on display, still pink and fresh as it had just been placed on the shelves. I am curious to see how long before it starts turning green because of the poor turnaround. 

Any how this is really the event of the month. Having a proper supermarket near home is a big thing. The brand spanking new shop opened this morning and it comes filled with an incredible amount of yellow & green balloons and a free yellow rose at check out.

Now we have food, pork and alcohol all round the corner and a number of establishments are opening in this side of town; who needs MQ any more?? 

Ale my dear, I know you like teasing us for living in the “piccolo deserto” but I think Muscat is slowly moving this way. ;-P

Another thing: my search has finally ended; I leave you with a photo of the car of my dreams.

Why I like it here

In the last post I mentioned that this year marks (already!) the second anniversary of our life in this country so it is time for reflection. In the last post I made some humour at how different life in this corner of the world can be and how it can make you smile at best (when it doesn’t frustrate you…). Now how about the good things?

Here is a little list. I’m sure after this you’ll understand why I like living here.

• The sun shines virtually every day of the year (and I like that very much!!): the alarm goes off, you open your eyes and there is the light to fill you!
• When the clouds come it’s a nice diversion (and I like it much better this way around)
• Wilderness is on your doorstep
• Flamingos come to the mangrove in town in winter and you can watch them while sitting at a café
• We can go dolphin, whale and turtle watching
• We can go diving any time of the year
• Every weekend feels like a mini holiday
• People are relaxed; it’s always “ma mushkila” (no problem)... even when there is a problem :D – It’s frustrating at times but it’s a much healthier way to live! (unless you have a real problem; then you’d better leave I guess)
• You can go for sun downers at the Crowne Plaza a stroll on the beach at sunset to unwind after a working day
• You don’t need to “book” your friends months in advance
• Life is simple and simple things bring happiness
• You can find the most amazing spot in the middle of nowhere, pitch your tent and it is safe
• The news are either good or no news but whenever you feel like taking the red pill the internet is there to fill you in (about the rest of the world)
• A lazy weekend means a bubbly brunch with friends at a 5-star establishment and crash on the beach
• Coming back from holidays is not depressing any more: you just have to pretend you are working wait for the weekend to resume the holiday life
• We can afford to own a boat
• Filling our 4x4 costs near to nothing
• You get to see and understand what 4x4s are actually made for and how powerful they are
• The maid cleans all the mess after the parties and she’s always a call away when you need her on an “emergency” (hail to the maid)
• You can throw a catered party with waiters, tables and all the rest (they also come to collect the washing up) and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg
• The washing dries outside in 20-30 minutes: in theory you could wash something to wear it an hour later.
• When we want some diversion or a shopping spree Vegas of the Middle East is only 4 hours’ drive away ;-)
• We live in a big villa that doesn’t cost us a penny
• Bills are a thing of the past
• Taxes? Uh?

We have lots of things to laugh our heads off about with our friends….

I like it very much.