Muscat has changed a lot in the past couple of years. Rents have shot up sharply, the cost of living has become crazzzzyyyyyy, salaries are not increasing proportionately, there is plethora of construction (read CONCRETISATION) going on, my residence visa will get over next year and I wont be able to renew it to a residence one unless I work or study there – Muscat is literally changing by the minute like most of the countries in the Middle East. Its been 5 years since I left Muscat to do my undergrad and postgrad education. With just a year left for me to finish, as I look back even today I can find reasons and more reasons to call the place I left 5 yrs back my home despite tremendous changes!
Following are 10 of the reasons why I still call Muscat home..There will surely be more of them but these are the ones I can remember at the moment
1. I was born at Khoula Hospital, Muscat on 1st Feb 1988 which indirectly made me an Omani 😛 and since then its been an amazing journey of falling in luv with this place. My parents have lived in this place for the past 34-35 yrs.
2. Indian School Muscat was where I spent the 15 yrs of my school life and it was an experience which I can surely never forget.
3. Looking at the barren hilly geography from the top through the airline window makes me feel as if I am back home.
4. The spik and span roads, man made greenery and picture perfect buildings and cleanliness bring old memories back.
5. The Rose Garden, Naseem Garden, Riyam Park, Kalbooh and other such places makes me remember the good old days at ISM when we used to go for picnics to these places and just enjoy like hell
6. The various supermarkets like Lulu, Carrefour and blah blah with all those amazing juices and other products from the Gulf remind you of such amazing stuff available here.
7. The food I get here in my house in particular be it the simple sabzis like cauliflower, brinjal etc seems so different and delicious than anywhere I get in India. Even the food outside with is cleanliness is no much for India at all.
8. Its the only city in the Gulf to have not one but two temples – that of Shiva and Krishna and maaaan the temples are soooo amazingly built with ACs…..:) 🙂 🙂
9. Despite the starting of the Southern Highway and couple of other roads to ease the traffic, the main highway from airport through Qurum and Ruwi to the Bustan Palace Hotel remains the heart of the city’s road network.
10. All in all each and every place from Corniche to the Airport just makes me feel that this country is my home land and here is where I feel a strong peace of mind and relaxation.
Tomorrow I may not end up working here as one never knows whats in store with life. But one thing is for sure, Muscat was, is and will be the closest to my heart always despite its many million changes and shortcomings…
Abhishek
Well written article. Takes me back to the old memories. And i agree with you for sure that Muscat feels home.
anita
u r making me feel ancient but yes, even I luv this country very much.
Priyanka
brought many of my memories of muscat….back..!!!! nice! Love muscat…
mini
Muscat really feels home fr me too..Though i was there fr just 2 and a half yrs, those memories in muscat are enought to last me a lifetime
Sindhuja Surya Kumar
Very well written. You really do love Muscat! The one person who has lived there forever but still has such a simple upbringing. I really respect your parents for that. 🙂
Continue blogging, it’s nice to see you express yourself!
aseemrastogi2
thanks for ur comments and appreciation sindhuja 🙂