A tall Omani gentleman welcomed us with a bouquet of flowers
when we landed in Muscat seven years ago.
“As salaam aleykum! Welcome to Oman” he greeted.
We had never been so warmly welcomed in any other country.
The gentleman escorted us to our transit accommodation. It was
a modest two-bedroom furnished apartment with a great view. The fridge was
stocked with eggs, bread, and milk. On the dining table was a box of Omani
dates and a stiff white envelope from Outpost which is an expatriate support network in Muscat. It had a welcome message and a
request to get in touch with Sudatta from the Welcome Team at Outpost.
Sudatta answered my call immediately. “I would like to come to
your transit accommodation to welcome you formally” she said.
She presented me with a welcome gift – a piece of cut-work
Omani pottery. It was the only thing of beauty and art that graced our living
room while we waited for our shipment to arrive from the UK.
After exchanging pleasantries, Sudatta handed me an invitation
for a coffee morning at 5, Sahma Street.
“Please come” she said “You will get to meet other ladies who
have recently arrived in Oman.”
“Can I bring my little daughter who is not yet at school?”
“Yes, she is welcome too.”
“But I don’t drive.”
Sudatta gave me a phone number.
“Call this number on the day before the coffee morning and
they will make your transport arrangements” she said.
“Who are you? A fairy? You seem to have ready solutions for
every problem.”
Sudatta smiled and waved goodbye.
On the day of the coffee morning, a courteous elderly Omani
gentleman ushered us into his SUV. After making sure we wore our seatbelts, he
smoothly drove us to 5, Sahma Street.
The hostess, Norma Malcolm, and the other ladies from Outpost
showed us around. There were also several ‘new’ ladies from different
nationalities. While my daughter rode a toy bike, I made enquiries about
schools and driving lessons.
***
Soon after I got my driving license, I got involved with
Outpost as one of the Welcome Team Members. It was a joy to do volunteer work
with Sudatta, Nicole, and others.
My assignments took me to the transit houses of several
families.
When I visited Madhu, her house was full of the aroma of South
Indian breakfast snacks. Her parents were visiting and it turned out that they
all knew Muscat very well because they had lived here before and they hailed
from Kerala. Any Keralite would feel at home in Muscat because it has been the
favourite city of Keralite expats for decades. Everything they needed was
either available at Lulu or was soon made available by someone who was visiting
their homeland.
I gave Madhu the Welcome gift from Outpost, told her about
Outpost’s activities, and left with the impression that I might have to call
her for information sometime instead of expecting her to call me!
My last assignment as a Welcome Team volunteer was at Naella’s
Marjan Beach-facing transit flat. The view was magnificent. It turned out that
Naella too knew Muscat well as she had been here before.
“I’m interested in cake decoration” she answered passionately
when I enquired about her hobbies. I provided her with information about some
well-known shops in Muscat which sold cake tins and other accessories essential
to specialised baking. I knew her venture
would be a successful one because of the deep conviction in her voice as she
talked about her pastry projects and experience.
Presently, Naella bakes the best cakes in town and has made
special cakes for once-in-a-lifetime celebrations
As my circle of friends widened, I found other activities to
interest me and left the Welcome Team.
Then one day, I saw Naella’s name in the Outpost Team list.
She was the Welcome Team Coordinator!
***
As expats, our families come to Oman for a few years, breathe
in the beauty of this place, and absorb its culture. Some of us even begin
calling it home. Then one day, it’s time to move on.
While here, if you look and ask around, each of you is sure to
find something interesting to do – be it photography, painting, gardening,
writing, or something else.
Oman has always provided a fertile platform for budding
creativity.
