THIS WEEK IN OMAN
ON A DESERT ESCAPADE
EVERYTHING YOUR WARDROBE NEEDS
SOME FUN FILMS FOR THIS WEEK
There is always something new to unravel in Sharqiyah Sands. Get up, close and personal with the golden sands once again as winter season sets in. PAGE 8
Trends come and go, but the basic ones remain. Be it a pair of blue jeans, that little red dress, or the black blazer, some things never go out of fashion. PAGE 10
Best movies seem even better when you watch them in the theatres. This week don’t miss the American superhero film, Justice League. PAGE 16
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Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com felicia@timesofoman.com
Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com
ashishdubash@timesofoman.com
Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash shruthi@timesofoman.com
Associate Editors Salem Afifi Shruthi Nair
salim@timesofoman.com
Digital Editor Gautam Viswanathan
shruthi@timesofoman.com
Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphics Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Geri B. Sonny Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham
richard@timesofoman.com
Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Photography Salem Afifi Design by Geri B. Sonny
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What are you doing this weekend? Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly
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THURSDAY 4.00pm Eat Muscat Eat It is time to eat like there is no tomorrow. Go for the Muscat Eat Food Festival with your family and/or friends and enjoy a variety of dishes and a number of other activities. Al Mouj Golf +968 9291 6203
17 18 FRIDAY
SATURDAY
4.00pm Beat It
8.00am What’s SUP
Join the epic Drum Circle with percussionists Lennon Ruiz and Ernesto Raymat, from Havana, Cuba. The hour long session will prove to be therapeutic. OMR 3 per person Classic Music and Arts Institute +968 9545 4666
Go for a half day paddling tour to the gorgeous Bander Al Khayran over the turquoise water of the peaceful ocean. OMR 25 including rentals Watersport Oman +968 9269 4962
Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend
THE WEEKEND LINEUP
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YO U M I S S E D I T
THERE’S PLENTY OF NEWS THAT MADE WAVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK. HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE WERE TUNING IN TO. COMPILED BY SHRUTHI NAIR & SALEM AFIFI GO TO TIMESOFOMAN.COM/HIWEEKLY FOR VIDEOS AND MORE
TEXAS SHOOTING: A gunman opened fire at a church on Sunday, killing at least 26 people and injuring at least another 10. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING THIS WEEK MTV EMA: Who won what at the MTV Video Music Awards this year? Well, it’s all over social media! timesofoman.com/hiweekend
STRUGGLING COUNTRIES: Do you know which countries are about to collapse? Find out timesofoman.com/ hiweekend
TOP TRENDING VIDEOS: Rudy Mancuso, King Bach and Lele Pons are back on YouTube, and this time they came with a hilarious clip of ‘Racist Superman’ timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING MUSIC
BEYONCE JOINS EMINEM Rapper Eminem released a new single ‘Walk on Water’ featuring vocals from the queen of pop Beyonce. Everyone is loving it!
TRENDING MOVIE
JUSTICE IS HERE The most anticipatd DC Comics film is finally releasing soon, and all that hype is back online, for the love of Batman and his fellow superheroes.
#popularhashtag
TRENDING FASHION
EMA 2017 RED CARPET What’s better than a red carpet fashion inspiration, where every celebrity is dressed to impress. What is your favourite look?
#PaulManafort #AntiBullyingWeek #UnusualMoneySavingIdeas
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WEEKEND ESCAPE
BEFORE SUNRISE, AFTER SUNSET
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STORY SHRUTHI NAIR
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t has started getting cooler, which means you don’t have to worry about being fried alive on stepping out in the open. Instead you can actually walk around in the open without trying to find air conditioned buildings, and can finally wander into the desert. Well maybe not too much or too randomly, and of course, with a plan and along with a group, but a desert escapade is ideal for your weekends as winter sets in. So last week my friends and I, who aren’t expert adventurers and don’t even know the desert too well, decided that maybe it was time to take a trip to Sharqiyah Sands and spend a night barbecuing, star gazing, and live a life of a Bedouin. While most of us were not quite confident, we still set on an adventure trip to the deserts, so high was our adrenaline rush. After a couple of meetings and arguments we headed off for a real surreal experience. We gathered at a friend’s place in Mawaleh, and set out on the trip in two 4X4s at around 3pm, just two hours behind schedule. The road trip was great; with Oman’s picturesque landscape and the crazy company along with some good music, things were going well. We did pack a few sandwiches to munch on our way and hence none of us were really starving. Since none of us were quite experienced in desert travel and camping with few going for the first time, we decided to set our own little amateur camp/tent beside one of the properly established camp sites. It was an easy option as finding the way was easier because it was on Google maps. Also we knew that if something untowards happen we could run off to the camp for rescue. So following the Google map when we reached Bidiyah we took the turn following the board which pointed at the particular camp site. By around 7pm, we were in the coarser desert, where we stopped to deflate the tyres. Remember to do that before you get into the desert. Although a little eerie, we kept driving through into the dark along the tyre trails left by other vehicles. One of my friends seemed confident of the way but that just led us to camel shed, and without disturbing too much we got back to where we started. After several hits and misses we finally reached the camp, thanks to the red light coming from the transmission tower near the camp. We parked both the cars a couple of kilometres away from the camp and started setting up our tent (which happened in about 15 minutes), barbecue pit (which took nearly 45 minutes to start functioning) and the bonfire that took forever to light up. Lesson learnt was that the wood has to be thinner and not thick tree logs and it can’t be wet at all. Thankfully we had a few battery operated lanterns to our rescue, which helped us see two unwanted visitors, a green scorpion, and a huge bug.
We were extremely tired and almost collapsed on the mat we had laid out outside the tent. Lying down for the next few hours we watched the millions of stars that we can seldom see in skies of Muscat. Soon our food was ready and we were back in action until one of us faintly noticed how the sky’s colour was slowly changing from pitch black to a deep purplish-blue. Yes, we had all survived the night and were even awake despite being supremely tired. Since our main agenda was to watch the sunrise from Sharqiyah Sands, we wanted the best spot for it. So we decided to climb up the huge dune, which seemed like the hardest physical activity I’ve ever done in life. But on reaching the peak, I realised this was totally worth it. The whole group that is otherwise super loud and talkative just sat down there quietly watching the sun gradually cast its glow. It was peaceful, serene, and so quiet that we could actually hear each other breathe. What a breathtaking sight it was! But sadly the calmness was shortlived and suddenly a herd of sheep could be seen on the next dune that didn’t look too happy with us. Before they could even take a step forward nearing us, we sprinted like there’s no tomorrow back to our tents, falling and rolling and sliding on our way down. Having packed everything and making sure that we hadn’t left any of our litter behind, we loaded our vehicles and started our journey back to Muscat with a silent promise to the sun and the sand to be back very soon. — shruthi@timesofoman.com
DESERT CAMPING ESSENTIALS
2 water bottles per person Barbecue requirements (bbq pit, coal, kerosene/lighter fluid, marinated meat, sausages, lighter, matchsticks, grill) Tent Sleeping mats Ice box Battery-operated lanterns Dry wood Twigs Disposable plates, glasses, cutlery Comfortable clothes but fully covered Blankets First-aid kit (anti-bacterial, insect repellents, band aids and ice packs if your friends decides to run his Land Cruiser over your feet etc) Some sticks for self defence Ready-made snacks for times when the barbecue doesn’t work
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FA S HION
10 Wardrobe Items You Need to Own We all have our favourite dresses, our signature styles, and our evergreen statement pieces that never fail to raise an appreciative brow. But, amidst all the glitz-and-glam, we sometimes tend to miss the very basics that are essential to claim the completeness of the wardrobe. We’ve rounded up 10 such pieces you should have in your cupboard. STORY ANTARA BOSE
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Little black dress An absolute wardrobe essential, we chose to put this one right on top. This evergreen dress, initially introduced by Coco Chanel, has now found its way into every woman’s closet. Though envisioned to be a fancy little piece, the LBD doesn’t necessarily have to have a designer label; the only rule – it should look good on you. But hey, if your budget allows, this is one dress we’d give you the thumbs up to splurge on.
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White button-down shirt The go-to shirt when you’ve risen late and aren’t in the mood to match colours, but still need to look chic. If there’s one thing you can’t go wrong with, it is a white, full-sleeved, wellfitted shirt. Throw on a few accessories, your favourite bottoms and flaunt your effortless style. And just for the record, since whites for winters became perfectly acceptable, this shirt also earns the all-season tag.
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Denim jacket It is comfortable, goes with everything, and is absolutely timeless. Though personally, I can’t have enough of these, if you believe in investing in just one, go for one in a darker colour without any frayed ends, patchworks and quirky slogans – a true classic.
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Black blazer Or even a blue maybe; but the point here is the blazer. Every woman, whether devoted to the corporate mayhem or not, should own at least one blazer that fits right. We’ll stress on the ‘fits right’ part again. You might have a hand-me-down blazer from an older sibling or one your workplace forced on to you, but those won’t make the cut. It is absolutely essential that the blazer be tailored to perfection so it accentuates your silhouette; else the whole classiness associated to wearing one is completely lost. A black blazer can make any attire look more polished – it completes your formal work attire, can be worn with jeans for a semi-formal look and even over a dress if it feels a little skimpy or bare.
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Blue jeans Honestly, there isn’t one good reason for you to not have one of these. And while most of us do have dozens, the deal here is finding that perfect pair – yes, the struggle is real. We feel it is important to find one that hugs your waistline, defines your thighs and accentuates the curves. Once you’ve found your dream match, make sure you remember where you bought it from, so you can come back for another pair when this one wears out.
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Opaque black stockings In case that little dress gets too short for comfort! But black stockings are more than just cover-ups. They can make legs look slimmer and when paired with the right shoes can even give the illusion of being taller. Not just that, this versatile piece looks great with skirts, dresses and especially trendy when paired with ankle boots.
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Red dress We’ve all heard about the ‘lady in red’, haven’t we? There’s a reason why she’s remembered. The dress denotes a certain bold, commanding elegance that gives a distinct aura of desirability, mystery and power to a lady. Hence, our list demands you own one of these. We understand the reservations many might hold to this colour; therefore, we give you the liberty to play with the cut and length. If you’re looking to make a statement, and aren’t afraid to stand out, a swanky red dress will never let you down.
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Cardigan Cardigans are utilitarian pieces that come in an array of colours. A simple cardigan in a neutral colour can be worn to tone down an over-the-top dress. The best part is, it can be worked the other way around too. Cardigans don’t just come handy to keep the chills out but are great accessories that can be paired with pretty much any dress. And no, there isn’t anything grandmotherly about it.
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Black cropped formal pants It’s best to get these tailored for a good fit but if you’ve found one from a store that does the job, it could work well too. Whether worn under complete formals or matched with a pretty blouse, a pair of black pants can carry you from morning to night in style. Having them neatly cropped at the ankle allows you to show off your fancy footwear too (we’re talking about those fancy strappy heels and chic stilettos).
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Turtleneck T-shirt These look utterly comfortable (and they are), go great for office, and off work hours too. Pick one in your favourite colour, and if you’re looking at making it a little smarter than the standard ones, go for the ribbed turtle-necks. Tip: They look really elegant when paired with a long-chained chunky pendant. — HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
Antara Bose is a model turned fashion and beauty consultant. A popular blogger, anchor, and voice over artist, she maintains a deep connection with the local fashion industry and is passionate about discovering and celebrating aspiring talent as well as promoting animal rights. For fashion updates with a side of humour and sarcasm follow Antara on instagram @antarabose and on Facebook (Antara Bose)
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CELEBR NOVEM November 18 is the most special date in Oman’s calendar. It is the birth date of our beloved leader, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and also the day that portrays Oman’s glory, pride, and progression. Every year this day is celebrated with utmost joy and happiness. This year from fashion and food to car decorations and other celebrations, there is something for everyone to commemorate the day. So let’s show our love and loyalty to Oman and take pride in the achievements as we get ready to celebrate the 47th National Day of the Sultanate.
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RATING MBER 18 STORY SALEM AFIFI hen it comes to celebrating National Day, our joys and excitement know no bounds. The festivities start days in advance for us to savour each moment during that day. We start shopping for clothes that represent the national flag. While the locals enjoy wearing traditional ensembles that scream loyalty and pride, others enjoy a more edgy approach to their style and opt for pieces that carry red, green, and white colours. After that, we start preparing for the ride. There are many ways that one could decorate their car, though my absolute favourite is the hand-painted one. Then, we get into the spirit of marching and hit the streets of Muscat, chanting and singing glorious songs and anthems with flags up in the air. This year let’s focus on something different. While we all love the street celebrations and the decorations, we also know that there are many people in town who use their immense creativity to celebrate the day in their own special way. So let’s dive deeper and find out what’s special this year. MAKE AN OMANI STATEMENT One of my favourite brands in town, Dar Saaf, is known for making interesting collections for National Day, and each of their collections celebrate a particular time or incident that took place in Oman, or a hint of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and his achievements. Previously, the brand celebrated the day by releasing a collection that carry His Majesty’s famous rose, which was received well by many people. This year they’re back with something extra special.
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Designed by Ruqaiya Al Harthi, Saaf took their art to another level by releasing a collection of abayas that carry calligraphic sentences and personal touches of the Sultan. In her collection, there’s an abaya that carry His Majesty’s handwriting, printed around the cuffs, an abaya with ‘watani’ written on its back, which translates to ‘my nation’, an abaya with Oman also written on its back; a yellow abaya inspired by Sharqiyah region, and a classic piece back by popular demand. What grabbed my attention the most was an abaya that had raised dots on its cuffs, and stitched on different levels. I asked the designer about the story behind it. It turned out to be Braille, the language of the blind. Ruqaiya wanted to create something for National Day that can be celebrated by everyone, including the blind, as they are part of the society and deserve to celebrate His Majesty’s glory. So she went to Omar Bin Al Khattab Blind Association and brought this concept to life. The raised dots read the entire national anthem, written on both abaya cuffs. Ruqaiya used classic colours and hints of metallic for this collection, which represent luxe with cultural vibes. Her ensembles are in stores. Grab yours for the loyalty march. Call Dar Saaf +968 2454 5006 instagram: @saafoman
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SAVOUR IT WITH PRIDE When it comes to food, the options maybe limited but I am not talking about your discounts and special offers. I’m talking about brands that go all the way to celebrate Oman and add national touches to their food. The options mostly come in the form of sweet treats. I’ll highlight three of my absolute favourite. The first one is National Day inspired hard candies at Spun. Ever since that brand opened its doors at Oman Avenues Mall, they have been adding special jars of candies for a variety of occasions and celebrations, and for National Day it’s just lovely. The hard candies are made with touches that represent local touches, and of course, the Omani flag. If you’re not a fan of hard candies, then maybe you’ll enjoy slices of freshly baked cakes at Shakespeare and Co. On National Day, the place adds an Omani flag frosting on their desserts and cakes, which immerses you into the celebratory atmosphere. Even if you’re not literally marching you feel as if you are part of the celebration. Have it with a cup of Kahwa and you’re good. Another brand that stands out is Meshan, a homegrown brand, that’s renowned for making delicious Omani dateinfused treats. The brand has taken the celebration to a whole new level; they are offering an Omani buffet for National Day, as well as cupcakes adorned with iconic Omani colour palette, and cakes that carry the country’s flag. The brand offers is as per the order, so place your order and celebrate the day with a bunch of sweet-tasting desserts. Meshan Cafe +968 9779 2463 Instagram: @meshanoman GET PATRIOTIC This is probably the most exciting part of National Day, where cars are adorned with a bunch of LED lights, balloons, stickers, and paints before hitting the road to the Sultan Qaboos Highway, where the parades take place. On this day, apart from dancing and honking, you’ll notice how creative some folks get when it comes to decorating their vehicles. They literally go all out with their cars in the nation’s colours. It is, without a doubt, a competition of who bedazzled their car better. As an art lover, my go-to option is the hand-painting art. In Mabella, I had the pleasure of meeting Ahmed Al Jardani, a creative person who turns dull looking cars into artful canvases that has floral designs and interesting drawings that will make you stand out as you march. Ahmed began his car-painting journey long back as a hobby. Today he is one of the busiest guys in town, on National Day week. As November 18 approaches, his list of cars gets longer. He begins painting at 5pm all the way upto 4am (yes, you read that correctly). He is a real patriotic master who takes his craft seriously. Now, if you want your car to look uber-cool, then you know whom to contact. —salim@timesofoman.com Ahmed Al Jardani +968 9691 6619 Instagram: @a7med_painter
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JUSTICE LEAGUE From Warner Bros. Pictures comes the first-ever big screen epic action adventure. Fuelled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists newfound ally Diana Prince to face an even greater threat. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to recruit a team to stand against this newly awakened enemy. Despite the formation of an unprecedented league of heroes Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash — it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions. Cast: Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac and Julianne Moore Running At: Vox Oman, City Cinemas, Al Bahja Cinema
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OTHER RELEASES THIS WEEK
Monster Island Voice Over: Fiona Hardingham, Roger Jackson, and Jenifer Beth Kaplan
Earth: One Amazing Day Cast: Jackie Chan and Robert Redford
Tumhari Sulu Cast: Vidya Balan, Manav Kaul, and Neha Dhupia
Directed by Peter Webber, Lixin Fan, and Richard Dale this is an astonishing journey revealing the awesome power of the natural world. Told with humour, intimacy and a jaw-dropping sense of cinematic splendour, this film highlights about how every day is filled with more wonders than you can possibly imagine - until now.
Directed by Suresh Triveni this film is about Sulochana a.k.a. Sulu whose life changes overnight when she lands an exciting job as a night radio presenter on a leading radio station. Seasoned with music, humour and quirk, the film witnesses the everyday grit of a housewife, a marriage put to test and a world that struggles to see the beauty of a socalled ‘simple, ordinary life’.
Directed by Leopoldo Aguilar this story is about young Lucas who finds out he’s not really a human and the news changes his whole world. At a school dance, Lucas discovers he comes from a long line of monsters. Eager to find the rest of his family, he sets out for the island of Calvera.
Tharangam Cast: Tovino Thomas, Balu Varghese, and Santhy Balachandran
Wonder Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Bryce Gheisar, and Daveed Diggs
Coco Voice Over: Gael García Bernal, Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt and Renée Victor
Directed by Dominic Arun this is a crime-comedy that follows the misadventures of two bumbling cops. Featuring a cast of colourful characters each with their own agenda, the film is an entertainer with elements of comedy, action, fantasy, suspense, and romance.
Directed by Stephen Chbosky this film tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
Directed by Lee Unkrich this film is about Miguel. Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colourful Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming trickster named Hector, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey.
COMING SOON VERNA
FIRANGI
Cast: Mahira Khan, Haroon Shahid, Zarrar Khan, Naimal Khawar, and Rasheed Naz
Cast: Kapil Sharma, Ishita Dutta, and Monica Gil
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SUDOKU
HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.
Level | Moderate
Level | Easy
1
3 8
4
2
7
2
1 4
9
1
7
6
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7
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8
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4 4 7
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Medium
9
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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS Easy
7
7
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6
Level | Difficult
6 9
5
9 4
7
1 Difficult
6
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