Hi wekkly dec 15 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 49 / DECEMBER 15, 2016

BOOGIE BITES AT THE GROOVIEST BISTRO IN TOWN PAGE 20

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

ESCAPE TO AL KHUWAIR

LEARN TO TEASE LIKE A LOCAL

This unlikely location turns out to be a great place to have a relaxing staycation without leaving the city.

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Who doesn’t love a little heckling and smack-talking?

Learn how to needle your friends in local Omani dialect.

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SHAKE IT Before twerking there was belly dancing. Learn the ancient Arabic dance form for fitness to torch calories, shrink your middle, and keep you flexible and strong.

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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 scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong felicia@timesofoman.com

Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash shruthi@timesofoman.com

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair

salim@timesofoman.com gautam@timesofoman.com

Digital Editor Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan

Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado 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 richard@timesofoman.com

aziz@timesofoman.com

Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design by Geri B. Sonny For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 235/160 felicia@timesofoman.com

CIRCULATION 24726600/24726666 Ext 135/136 circulation@timesofoman.com

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SAY “HI” ON SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/hiweekly twitter & instagram: hiweekly_oman

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THE WEEKEND LINEUP

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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 7:00pm Watch a Novel Come to Life

If you’ve read Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and loved it then you wouldn’t want to miss the ballet version as performed by the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg.

It displays the nuances of the novel in a breathtaking new way.

Royal Opera House Muscat +968 2440 3300 rohmuscat.org

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FRIDAY 10:00am Send the Kids to Camp Do your teens a favour and send them to the Youth Empowerment Seminar, designed to help youngsters between the ages of 13 and 18 focus their energy in the right direction and make more thoughtful decisions.

Al Sawary Centre Sohar +968 9388 9396 artofliving.org

8:00pm Dance ‘Till You Drop Grab your dance partner and go to The Oak this weekend for the dance-athon salsa night featuring Salsa Rueda and Bachata.

The party begins at 10pm, but go at 8pm for a free pre-party salsa workshop.

The Oak The Cave Complex, Darsait +968 9933 6078 theoak.live

Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

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SATURDAY 2:00pm Build a Gingerbread House and Visit Santa The Sheraton in Ruwi is already oozing festive vibes. Go for a Christmas-y day of face painting, Christmas carolling, and gingerbread house building, inclusive of beverages and snacks for adults and children, OMR17.

Sheraton Oman Ruwi +968 2237 7777 sheratonoman.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 15, 2016

STARCRAFT

LEGACY OF THE VOID

WITH GAUTAM BHARGAV VISWANATHAN

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

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FIVE TO TRY DATING APPS

TINDER Tinder is the superstar of all dating apps, as it is one of the most popular and most widely-used apps for love and friendship-seekers. It is almost like a game with the swipe-left, swipe-right interface, making the process of looking for someone special more fun and light-hearted. The only downside? You have to use your Facebook account to sign up.

BADOO Badoo is a dating app that is quite similar to Tinder, and just as popular, if not more so, here in Muscat. The fact that it doesn’t require social media account to sign-up sets it apart from its sister app, putting it atop many friendship seekers’ lists of dating apps.

FLURV Flurv is a popular dating app in Oman that lets you find out which other users are nearby. You can view tons of profile photos and share moments with potential dates with its Instagram-like feed. Flurv is another app that doesn’t require a social media account to sign-up, a big plus.

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ideo games and sci-fi shows have always had great, slightly obscure civilisations, which we remember long after the series has faded from popular culture. With Star Wars, it was the Twi’leks, the Ewoks and the Wookies, while Star Trek fans will always remember the Klingons. With StarCraft, there is no bigger definition of ‘cool’ than the advanced Protoss.

Set in a realm where space travel is now considered the norm, the Protoss are considered to be the oldest and most technologically advanced race in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Their eons of adapting to the developments of the universe around them and the harsh lessons they have learned through millennia of internal strife as they attempted to unite their homeworld of Aiur, have made them one of the wisest civilisations to roam the galaxy, making their home world a beacon of progress, and the envy of the stars.

While the Protoss are excellent fighters and have developed technology so advanced that their ships are powered by their own suns (yes, their own suns), that is not what makes them a civilisation the rest of the universe aspires to be. All Protoss are bound by the Khala, a sacred mental union of their every thought and emotion, which means all Proto-

TASTEBUDS Tastebuds is a whole new way to meet people— according to his or her playlist. The app determines compatibility with other app users in your area according to musical taste. It hasn’t quite taken-off here in Oman, with few local users, but the app is perfect for frequent travellers who enjoy meeting new friends across the globe.

ss think as one, act as one, and behave as one, and it is this unification of their thoughts that not just sees them put the wellbeing of their planet above themselves, but also means they can communicate instantly.

To them, the Terrans — the equivalent of the humans of our world — are primitive beings, despite having mastered spaceflight and faster-than-light travel. How can you trust a species that communicates through mouths? is a phrase you would hear often while colluding with them. And ultimately, you will have to.

The final chapter of this epic science-fiction trilogy, Legacy of the Void sees the war that has been raging throughout the series come home, both literally and metaphorically. Aiur has been ravaged by the Zerg, the third of the civilisations in this game, an anthropomorphic insectoid race that have an overwhelming desire to wipe-out all life in the galaxy. Using sheer numbers, the Zerg have wrenched the Protoss from their beloved home world, and the legacy of the Protoss as we know it now hangs in the balance. Fortunately for gamers everywhere, the galaxy’s most ancient civilisation isn’t going to give up without a fight; a fight that will transcend every other conflict the Protoss have ever been involved in.

Blizzard Entertainment has always given users not just a fantastic gaming experience, but an absorbing story and fun game play to match as well, and that has only been further augmented in their latest offering.

It is one that inherently wants you to root for the good guys, because you want the Protoss to be happy after they suffered through so much. Legacy of the Void is not just about the Protoss retaking their homeworld. It is about helping them reclaim their legacy.

—gautam@timesofoman.com The Short and Skinny Name: StarCraft II – Legacy of the Void Genre: Sci Fi/Real Time Strategy Producer: Blizzard Entertainment What’s it About: Command the Galaxy’s oldest civilisation as they attempt to retake their homeworld, and with it, their legacy.

Where to buy: Blizzard.com (For PC and Mac) IGN Rating: 8.9/10

BUMBLE Bumble is pretty similar to Tinder with the catch being that women must initiate the conversation in the case of a successful match. The match alert stays active for 24-hours before it vanishes, so decisions must be made pretty quickly.

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STAYCATION

IN MY CITY STORY SHRUTHI NAIR • PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

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hey say the things we see most often are the things that take us the longest to appreciate. It’s an old cliché, but one I find to be so true. See, I find myself in Al Khuwair almost every other day, either getting shawarma at Old Turkish or a slice from Pizza Inn or simply paying a visit to friends who live in the neighbourhood. Whenever we try to think of local places to go, we blatantly ignore the towering, four-star Radisson Blu hotel that sits squarely in the centre of this bustling ‘hood. But last weekend, I happened to have the opportunity to stay the night there, and I was rewarded with a new world of dining and leisure that I never knew was so close at hand.

I arrived on a Thursday afternoon and was warmly greeted by the receptionist and attendants—I love the hospitality industry, when they get it right, they make you feel so important and at ease. Although it was relatively quiet at that time, the hotel had a festive feel to it with subtle holiday decorations on the ceilings

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and walls and a big Christmas tree adorning the cosy lobby.

I headed to my room, a comfortable, private space with all the basic amenities and no too over-the-top décor, and began to plan my evening. It was only 4pm, far too early for dinner, but I was desperately craving a shawarma, so I popped-out of the hotel and went two streets over to Old Turkish for a snack.

Satisfied, I returned to the hotel to meet Lorna, the Marketing and Communications executive of Radisson. I walked over to Olivos Restaurant and found it bustling with activity.

Lorna greeted me and began our tour of the property right there in the dining room.

Olivos Restaurant and Terrace is where the complimentary breakfast buffet is served, as well as the nightly buffet dinner.

The staff was a flurry getting ready for their popular Thursday night seafood buffet. Olivos has spacious indoor seating arrangement with a buffet counter in the centre and an open kitchen on one side and a terrace seating arrangement that overlooks the gigantic swimming pool—the ideal location this time of the year.

On the other side of the pool, I spotted a few cabanas, a bar, a stage, and some scattered lounge seating. Pointing to the space, Lorna told me that was The Lazy Lizard, an outdoor venue that opens each evening for light snacks and music. I made a mental note to go back there later in the evening.

Walking back past reception, she pointed out the coffee bar, perfect for late-runners like me, where guests can grab a quick bite and something highly caffeinated on the way out the door. On the other side of the lobby were two independently run venues, the famous O Sole Mio, a fine dine Italian restaurant bedecked with a fancy archway, artistic marble flooring, and soft illumination courtesy of an elegant chandelier. It was a perfect date spot. I made another mental note to find a date. Next door was Casa Di Bacco, where everything was wood-tone, dark, and classy.

The tour continued down a flight of stairs that lead to a gritty underground area that is home to the infamous O’Malley’s Pub. The brick walls are decorated with funky Irish posters and old Dublin adverts. I’ve never been to the sunny Isle, but I image a pub there would be something like this. I couldn’t wait to returning to the pub later in the evening.

We quickly walked around the rest of the property, checking out the usual amenities—gym, sauna room, beauty salon, massage spa (yay!)—and an unexpectedly memorable business lounge tucked-away on the 5th floor.

A pretty cool addition to the hotel, the lounge is a comfortable space to work or relax, with self-service snacks and beverages on hand at all times, rows of sofas facing a television tuned to a news channel, and local and international newspapers stacked neatly on the tables and coffee counter. If my dad had been with me, I know this is where he would be spending 90% of his time in. I said goodbye to Lorna and I went back to my room to relax and finish a bit of work before heading down to Olivos for dinner.

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Apart from the usual buffet counter where fish, oysters, octopus, sushi, shrimp, and calamari were on display, the restaurant also had a separate barbecue counter setup outside by the pool. The grilled seafood was the highlight for me. I filled my plate and found a seat. As I ate, I found attention, kept drifting over to what was happening on the other side of the pool. A huge crowd had gathered and were singing along with the band playing from the small stage. I finished my dinner and went to join them.

The talent that evening was a cover band, and those boys had really amazing voices and instrument skills. The lineup was popular hits that almost everyone could sing along to, and did.

The crowd was upbeat and energetic with wide smiles and the intermittent outburst of laughter. With cool and pleasant weather, great music, and a full stomach, the hours seemed to drift by.

I suddenly remembered the Irish cavern waiting downstairs, and decided it was time to go see what was going on at O’Malley’s.

RE-DISCOVER AL KHUWAIR RADISSON BLU Al Khuwair +968 2448 7777; radissonblu.com Lazy Lizard (Open Noon – 15:00, 18:00 – 02:30) O’Malley’s (Noon – 15:00 18:00 – 02:00) Los Olivos (Open 06:30 – Midnight) O Sole Mio (Noon – 15:00, 18:00 – Midnight) Casa Di Bacco (Noon – 15:00 (Sat – Thu) 18:00 – 01:30 (Sat – Thu) 14:00 – 01:00 (Fri))

When I arrived, I was surprised to see a room full of men and women dressed for a night of clubbing. The moody pub I’d been to earlier had transformed into full-on night club complete with flashing lights, laser beams, thumping music, and couples dancing. The Irish touch remains in the food selection, which is available into the night. A friend joined me and we munched on pieces of lamb shanks and shepherd’s pie between dance numbers, partying there until past midnight. Full, happy, and exhausted, I returned to my room, grateful that I hadn’t far to go.

The next morning Olivos had been transformed into a tranquil, calm dining space. I nibbled on an array of breads with jam, some fruit, and a well-made omelette. As I looked out over the pool, towards the now empty stage of Lizard Lounge, thinking back over the wonderful evening of dining and dancing I’d enjoyed, I marvelled at the treasure trove of hidden gems I’d discovered right here, in the middle of a neighbourhood I thought I knew.

—shruthi@timesofoman.com

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DANCE YOUR BELLY-OFF The Champ Oman Al Khuwair +968 9777 0498 thechampoman.com COST PER CLASS: OMR 3 CURRENT CLASS SCHEDULE Saturday 6.30pm to 8pm Tuesday 7pm to 8pm

STORY SHRUTHI NAIR

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legance, grace, subtle hand movements, fluid hip rolls, and crisp chest isolations are what define the ultra-feminine art of belly dancing to most of us. The origin and history of this gorgeous form is much debated, but most agree that it originated in the Middle East and spread to the rest of the world. Temple engravings in Mesopotamia suggest that it began as a religious dance performed during fertility rituals by temple priestesses to encourage conception and it was also believed to be a part of the delivery ritual to prepare girls for childbirth.

With time, it became a form of social entertainment for tribes in Egypt and Turkey. In 1893 the dance received global attention at the Chicago World’s Fair when a performer known as “Little Egypt” showcased her fascinatingly graceful body movements, impressing every single spectator there. By the 20th century, it was a well-established performance art around the world.

In the Arab world, the dance form is commonly referred to as Raqs Sharqi, and was later popularised in other countries as “oriental dance”, while the term “belly dancing” evolved from the French name for the movement, “danse du ventre” or “dance of the stomach”. The credit for the costumes now popularly associated with belly dancing goes to an enterprising cabaret owner in Cairo who introduced the fancy harem pants and blingy tops that were worn belted with scarves festooned with jingling coins to accentuate the hip movements. In the Gulf region of the Middle East the traditional belly dance costume is the abaya. As the dress hides the body, making it impossible to see the belly movements,

the Gulf form focuses more on the hips and the arms than the full body movements of the Egyptian form, for which the more wellknown, two piece Raqs Sharqi costume is worn.

Though I am a big fan of dance fitness, a lot of modern dance forms, such as ballet, have the potential to deform the skeletal structure or cause back pain. However, I can to find out that belly dancing is one of the very few dances that act towards the natural physical inclination of the body. I knew the dance had tons of other health advantages and fitness benefits, but I didn’t know where to find an instructor here in Muscat who could teach me the shimmies and undulations.

Then I met Marion. The charismatic, petite French woman who has travelled the world, working as an instructor and a student of belly dance, studying under some of the best belly dancers in the world. She is now in Oman working at The Champ Oman where she holds classes for beginners, teaching them the basics in a warm and friendly environment. Her ten years of teaching experience, gained in nearly a dozen countries around the world, is clearly reflected in her classes, in which each student is given personal attention irrespective of their dancing background, calibre, size, or age. With no belly dancing experience, I learned “the Maya” routine and two variations of the shimmy in a single, hour-long session.

There are several variations of belly dance depending on which part of the world you are in, but since Marion firmly believes that belly dancing originated from Egypt, Egyptian belly

dancing is what she teaches. She feels it is the richest form as it allows you to use all the body parts to express yourself, including hands, hip, waist, face, fingers, and legs in movements that signify graceful, female power.

I knew the fitness benefits of belly dancing, in theory, but it was only after Marion’s class that I was truly convinced. While, you shouldn’t expect a high intensity cardio workout, belly dancing relaxes your body and makes you aware and conscious of every part of it as you isolate each muscle. The movements are all about controlling, while letting loose at the same time. It improves flexibility and fluidity and strengthens the core muscles, for a pretty intense session. There is another benefit, perhaps even more important than the waist-slimming effect. Belly dancing doesn’t just help you learn to control your body, it also helps you learn to love your body as it is.

We tend to have a collective obsession with having a flat belly, with no stomach fat, belly dance offers an alternative goal, promoting confidence and comfort in your own skin. This confidence is truly seductive. The postures and the movements of the dance introduce me to my sensual and feminine side, and all the gorgeous things that my body could do. As a bit of tomboy, during that very first class, I felt like I had been reintroduced to a powerful, graceful woman that had been hidden inside me for a very long time. A rough-and-tumble girl walked in to the studio that evening, a lady walked out. Never have I had such a transformative workout. — shruthi@timesofoman.com

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Origins Unknown. Popular in Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, and Southern Indian Cooking Composition Rice flour, with a bit of starch or tapioca for elasticity Famous Dishes Spring rolls (thin vermicelli), Pad Thai and Pho (Medium thick noodles), Pad See Ew (wide ribbons)

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ice noodles are a beloved ingredient from the Far East to Southeast Asia, with noodles ranging from thread-like vermicelli to wide sheets of rice noodle that are used to make popular southern Chinese dim sum dishes like prawns wrapped in chewy noodle. Fresh, frozen, and dried rice noodles are available in markets hypermarkets and grocery stores in Oman, and you can use this tasty ingredient in all kinds of preparations from stir-fries to soups. Some of my favourite preparations come from Thailand, the most globally iconic of which is Pad Thai.

—felicia@timesofoman.com

Cooking Rice Noodles These delicate noodles can overcook fast. Prepare them by pouring boiling water over the noodles, then gently stir in the bowl to loosen the noodles every few minutes until they are limp. They should take less than 10 minutes to soften. Run under cold water to stop the cooking process and toss with a bit of oil to prevent sticking. If stir-frying, do not soften completely as they will soften further in the pan. If the noodles are destined for a soup, simply add them during the last few minutes of cooking, minutes before you serve the dish.

PAD THAI FOR TWO INGREDIENTS • 142g Pad Thai rice noodles • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 large egg, room temperature • 6 medium shrimps, peeled, deveined (optional) • 2 tablespoons slices pressed tofu (bean curd) • 1 tablespoon sweet preserved shredded radish, rinsed, chopped into 2-3cm pieces • 1 cup bean sprouts • 5 tablespoons tamarind water (2.5 tablespoons tamarind paste mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) • 1 1/2 tablespoons (or more) Thai fish sauce • 1 ½ tablespoons simple syrup, preferably made with palm sugar • 4 garlic chives or scallions cut into 2-3cm pieces) • 1/2 teaspoon ground dried Thai chillies, divided • 2 tablespoons crushed roasted, unsalted peanuts, divided • 2 lime wedges INSTRUCTIONS • Place noodles in a large bowl; pour hot water over to cover. Let soak until tender but not mushy, 5–10 minutes. Drain; set aside.

• Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add egg; stir until barely set, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp, if using. Cook, stirring, until shrimp and egg are almost cooked through, 2–3 minutes. Add tofu and radish; cook for 30 seconds.

Add noodles and cook for 1 minute. Stir in sprouts. Add tamarind water, fish sauce, and simple syrup and stir-fry until sauce is absorbed by noodles and noodles are well coated, about 1 minute.

Stir in chopped garlic chives. Add 1/4 teaspoon ground chillies and 1 tablespoon peanuts and toss well. Transfer to serving plates.

• Garnish with remaining 1/4 teaspoon ground chillies, 1 tablespoon peanuts, and lime wedges.

Recipe courtesy of Andy Ricker, author of PokPok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes, and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand (2013)

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OMANI SLANG

F U N -TO -SAY TE A S I N G WO R DS

Interspersed with the Arabic conversations overheard throughout the capital city, even native Arabic speakers might be surprised to hear some unfamiliar words. Though Arabic is the official language in the Sultanate, there are all kinds of words and phrases that are purely local. Here’s your monthly primer from Hi’s Omani team members, Salim and Asmaa. — hiweekend@timesofoman.com ILLUSTRATION ISIDORE VIC CARLOMAN

Rabbash

Troublemaker

Mutqamqam

Whiner

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Mukharkhash

Feisty

Yet la’a la’a

Talks Nonsense

TamtAma

Stupid

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DINING OVER THE RAINBO

BISTRO 64

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STORY SALIM AL AFIFI • PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI AND DAWOOD AL DHOUBI

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uicy burgers and fancy mocktails?

Check. Upbeat bangers and live music? Check. Flamboyant ambiance and jolly waiters? Check and check. The new Bistro 64 is onpoint across the board. What more could artsy youngsters and the young-at-heart ask for from a new Muscat dining destination? I had been anxiously anticipating the opening after spying the colourful graphics gracing the windows of the Jawharat Al Shatti storefront. I pictured the diner as one of those places that hit you with a jazzy, playful vibe, serving up unusual food and playing good music. Thankfully, my instincts were right.

A few weeks after the opening, I arrived at the restaurant. Upon entering, I was welcomed by a set of hand-drawn Archangel wings painted on a large black canvas behind a photo booth. As my waiter escorted me to a rounded corner table, I took in the dreamy, whimsical ambiance.

A colourful ecosystem, everything from the seats, to the plates to the coffee mugs, tissues, and toothpicks are comprised of an electric rainbow of harsh greens, blues, yellows, and reds. Exotic, graphic art adorns the colourful walls and table tops. Rather than chaos, these striking visuals lend a “good-vibes-only” retro sensation to the place. Near the drinks counter, a little stage is set for open-mic sessions with a guitar tuned and ready to play if any guests start feeling a jam session coming on. But what about the food?

Bistro 64’s menu is quite extensive, featuring what they call “classic American and Italian bites with a twist”.

I selected a few dishes and asked the waiter to surprise me with a few more, and soon, a parade of colourful plates started rolling out.

With a veritable feast before me, I scanned the table, trying to decide what to taste first. My love for cookies is endless, so I went straight for the beautifully presented “biscky shake”, a thick, creamy shake made of vanilla ice cream blended with lotus biscuits and finished with a sprinkle of crushed cookie crumbs, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a cute lotus biscuit stuck on top. It was all the creamycookie-goodness I had hoped it would be.

It did, however, it made me thirsty, so I reached for the “Green Lantern”, a limegreen detox-inspired juice that turned out to be a sweet, refreshing combination of apple and cucumber.

BISTRO 64 Jawharat Al Shatti, Qurum +968 2460 1343 Facebook & Instagram: @bistro64oman Hours: 10AM - 11PM Don’t Miss Burger Off - OMR4.2 Biscky shake - OmR2.5 Gunpowder - OMR2.8 Big MissSteak (rib eye) - OMR8.5

Cookie fix sated and thirst quenched, I started to dig in to the culinary offerings, starting with “the gunpowder”, Bistro 64’s version of the famous French-Canadian dish, poutine. The gigantic plate of crispy, fresh-cut potato wedges comes topped with beef chili con carne, cheddar cheese, and a bit of jalapeño, finished off with their fiery, “secret gunpowder” mayonnaise. Spicy, cheesy, totally delicious.

Turning to the mains, a parade of steaks and pastas, the classic grilled rib eye steak stood out as it was perfectly cooked and slathered in tamarind sauce. It is worth noting that the portions are huge.

I sampled and sipped until I came upon the real star of the show, the homemade “Wellington Burger Off ”.

A plate stacked with crisp-fried rounds drizzled in a salty-sweet Chinese hoisin sauce arrived. I picked one up and took a bite. I was confused. I couldn’t quite grasp what I was tasting. I took another bite, savoured the slightly sweet pastry that crunched, giving way to a juicy, tender beef patty within. The subtle Chinese flavours, coupled with the amazing blend of textures, made it one of the most unfamiliar, entertaining, and delicious dishes I’ve had in recent memory.

Bistro 64 has a fantastic, trendy ambiance. It has live bands and plays killer jams. The restaurant serves colourful mocktails and surprising, playful food. It does all this amid a psychedelic kaleidoscope of colours in one of the most popular areas of town. In short, Bistro 64 is a party. And it’s a good one.

—salim@timesofoman.com

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Body of Work A growing community of local photographers in Oman are capturing moments and sharing their unique perspectives on the people, places, and cultures of their homeland through visual stories. Hi Weekly is proud to present photographic selections from local talent that showcase everything that the Sultanate is about, from fashion to food to wildlife. Submissions are welcome.

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FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

Amina Al Bakri (Mino’s Photographie) Where are you from?

Oman (Half Omani, Half Algerian) Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get inspired by what’s around me, what I see, what I hear. Other times it’s what I experience & imagine.

What type of photography do you enjoy the most?

Underwater, Fashion, Maternity, Newborns, and Family photography.

How can people get in touch with you to learn more about your work?

Call: +968 9954 0025 Click: minosphotographie.com Follow: @minosphotographie

SUBMIT YOUR VISUAL STORIES If you would like your photographic work to be considered for Body of Work, please send a selection of your ten best images (high-resolution), along with answers to the above questions to: salim@timesofoman.com

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THE WATCHER STORY SHRUTHI NAIR PHOTOS SUPPLIED

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he is a Sanskrit sayhere ing Mata, Pita, Guru, in Devam, which means De Mother, Father, Teacher, M God, in the order of how Go should prioritise each one a person shou in their lives. Not everyone is lucky to find a real Guru or mentor. Or to become one.

Burridge, a.k.a. Budgie, John Burr played his last la match in 1994 at the age of 43, 43 to become the oldest footballer to play in a Premier League game. game It’s hard to imagine must’ve felt to be in those how it must’v jersey playing the studs and in that t game that had ha become the reason existence for the very last for your exist rather than feeling nostime. But, rat talgic, Budgie Budgi knew that his last wasn’t the end of game on the pitch p his football journey. jo with almost 30 clubs, 800 In 1998, wit 771 league games under games and 77 his belt, it was time for Budgie to find on a new pitch. Tired a new place o of England, he debated between Australia, and Dubai, but the USA, Aus instead ended up on a somehow ins plane headed for f Oman, a country he knew nothing about. and set about obBudgie arrived arri players in the Sultanserving the p ate, quickly rrealising that many of the players had ha great potential, but international experience, lacked the int and exposure training, coaching, coa make it big. necessary to m

On one such scouting day, he spotted Ali Al Habsi, a 16-year-old boy from Mudhaibi playing for the 3rd Division. Although he was a striker, the boy had been put between the goalposts because of his big body frame.

The kid could jump and stretch and dive like a basketball player, something Ali attributed to his Tanzanian roots.

Budgie took one look at him and knew the kid could go far. He approached Ali, introduced himself, and offered to coach him. Ali jumped at the chance.

Ali’s brother would drive him down to Muscat each day so he could train with Budgie early in the morning at the InterContinental beach and at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. At that time, Ali didn’t know a word of English, so Budgie learned Arabic to better communicate with Ali and with the other players.

One day, Budgie walked up to Ali on the pitch. “You need to start learning English,” he said to Ali, who looked at him incredulously. “You’re ready.

So you might as well start learning to talk English, because I’m taking you to Manchester United.”

The challenges began with the journey to Manchester. The federation wasn’t very supportive of Ali as he was a top division player then. And there were many naysayers who didn’t think it was possible to get Ali to play for Manchester United; that he simply wasn’t good enough for the Premier League. Undeterred, Budgie paid for Ali’s plane tickets and let him stay at his own home in the UK.

They made it to England, but there were many more challenges to come, most painful of which was the waiting. Ali’s applications to the big clubs kept getting rejected, over and over again, but Budgie kept trying.

He was prepared to fight to the end to get Ali where he felt he deserved to be. Budgie loved Ali’s determination, attitude, and mentality and believed that Ali Al Habsi had the potential to be a better player than he had been himself.

After almost a year, at the age of 17, Ali finally started playing in the third team in Manchester City. A few games in, Budgie got a call. A scout had heard about a talented new kid from Manchester United and Manchester City.

“You shake my hand I will give $1,000 for his accommodation and salary and we’ll send him to Norway,” he said. A deal was struck and Ali headed to Norway, where he ended up becoming the best goalkeeper in the country.

After only a handful of games, Budgie and Ali applied for a work permit that would make Ali eligible to play for the Premier League. At the age of 19, he played his first Premier League game.

Budgie helped Ali Al Habsi bring Oman to the forefront of the global football stage. Ali set an example for many aspiring players from various Middle Eastern countries, inspiring them to step out of their comfortzones and their countries to become better global players and represent their homelands on the world stage.

Budgie found his new role in the game he loves, spotting potential in young players and opening up international doors for Middle Eastern footballers whose talent, hunger, and ambition require the challenges and triumphs of an international pitch.

There is tremendous potential in the Middle East and Oman, but Budgie isn’t sure if there is another Ali, yet.

But, he is always on the lookout.

—shruthi@timesofoman.com

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 15, 2016

Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ 157th global showroom was inaugurated at Muscat City Centre, Seeb.

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Beat Diabetes Walkathon, a Landmark Group initiative, was held at Qurum Natural Park.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 15, 2016

InterContinental Muscat held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony to kick start the festive season.

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Inter-school Mathematics Quiz-2016 “Vision of Infinity”, was held at Indian School Wadi Kabir.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 15, 2016

TAISM presented ‘The Bold, the Young, and the Murdered’, a play performed by 13 of TAISM’s high school students.

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BeaconHouse School held celebrations in honour of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 15, 2016

Indian Social Club Oman organised Dance Mania recently at Al Falaj Hotel. Photos by Purushothaman K.

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Inter-House Dramatics and the distribution of the Mathradas Khimji Memorial Awards for academic excellence took place at Indian School Wadi Kabir.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 15, 2016

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 | Easy

5

9

2 7

5 6

9

5

8

2

8

7

1 3

3

4

2 9

3

2

8

5

4 9

1

1

9 6

8

2

1

9

Level | Moderate

8 4

7

3

5

9

7 9

8

6 9

1

4

9

8

6

5

3

5 9

4

6

5

1

8

8

9

9

5

2

Level | Difficult

4

6 9

2

8

7

7 9

9

4

7

PLAY AND WIN

9 3

8

6 4

2

6

8

1 8

5

6

6 3

6 5

9

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS ON FACEBOOK.COM/ HIWEEKLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN VOUCHERS FROM PIZZA MUSCAT. THE WINNERS AND THE SOLUTIONS TO THE WEEK’S PUZZLE WILL BE POSTED EVERY SUNDAY