Writing about Muscat is hard for me! It is a city full of good moments, starting a business, taking risks, and many bittersweet feelings! Every time I check my phone gallery and see photos of Muscat, I deeply miss this lovely city.

Part 1) Abundant Calm Even in Summer Heat:

I’ve experienced living in both summer and winter in Muscat, and despite my dislike for heat, I could still feel a sense of calm on hot summer days and manage to endure the heat.

One humid morning in the Al-Mouj area, away from the hustle and bustle and heavy traffic of Bawshar and Ghubrah, I would sit in one of the cafes and restaurants and treat myself to a nice coffee or a full breakfast. The ocean view alongside the luxurious buildings of that area gave me a sense of vitality and motivation for life and more effort. I’ve always cherished those moments.

Part2) Enjoying Shopping in Big Malls:

Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love shopping. Almost every day, I would go to one of the big malls (usually Oman Avenues Mall or Mall of Oman), and after enjoying a cappuccino and working on my laptop and tablet, I would stroll around the malls and enjoy the atmosphere, even if I didn’t make any purchases.

Part 3) Qurum Beach:

From late September to December, I often bought dinner from a restaurant and brought a large folding chair to Qurum Beach, where I would enjoy my meal by the sound of the waves. The incredible calmness and beauty of the sea created a fantastic combination.

Part 4) The Thrill of Football in Oman:

Football is the most popular sport and arguably the favorite pastime in Oman! On Liverpool match days, especially during important games, I would go to Habana Sport Bar, either alone or with a friend, and watch the games alongside fellow Liverpool fans. Every Liverpool supporter came from a different place in the world, and supporting this great team created common ground among them! Sometimes, It was the start of a friendship simply because of our shared love for Liverpool.

Part 5) Omani Cuisine:

I am very curious about trying dishes from various nationalities! I test every dish without hesitation and am not picky at all. However, Arabic food, especially Omani cuisine, is a unique experience. I can confidently say that it doesn’t matter what nationality you are; you will definitely love Omani food.

Whenever I wanted to experience a good Omani lunch, I would go to two restaurants. My first choice was Al-Angham Restaurant at the Royal Opera House. Every time I travel to Muscat, I plan my meals for a week to enjoy every moment of my trip, even while eating!

Part 6) Omani Friends:

Since I have always been a shy and reserved person, finding friends in unfamiliar places has always been difficult for me. However, in Oman, considering my personality, having a few Omani friends was a positive leap! I must admit that my friends in Muscat put in more effort than I did to build our friendship! Because I’m not naturally a social person! But I’m trying to become more social before I get older and have more friends.

Part 7) Arabic Music and Starting to Learn the Language:

In the Gulf countries, learning Arabic is not a necessity since the large expatriate population has led to most people speaking English! However, Arabic music inspired me to start learning the language with the help of my limited Duolingo app.

Getting to know Arabic-speaking musicians like Nancy Ajram, Elissa, Amr Diab and Nader Al-Sharari motivated me try speaking a bit of Arabic in Muscat. I can’t say how well I was speaking, but all the Omanis encouraged and motivated me to keep talking! They patiently corrected my pronunciation when needed!

In conclusion, I want to say that during my travels to Muscat and living in this beautiful city, I have had many wonderful and unforgettable memories that occasionally make me miss this city. I thank all the factors that have made this country special to me. I’ll see you again soon!