MAR 20 - 26 • ISSUE 262 • WEEKLY
Toddler Trekking Keeping Kids amused The BIG Show / Zumba Fever The Week Ahead / M-Day Gifts
32 Taking charge of your FERTILITY
SWEET TREATS: Mouth-Watering Mallows MOTHER’S DAY: Y Reader Tributes AMERICAN AUTO: The Chrysler 200
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Your top guide to the best of Oman, every week
The
MOTHER Why not all
MYTH women want babies
PLUS!
Outdoors
empty quarter 40 made easy
Fashion
MATERNITY WEAR
Feature
30
ORPHAN LIFE
22
WIN
American R&B legend Akon is coming to Muscat on April 11 – and we have two tickets to give away every week in Y Magazine, starting today. In association with Merge 104.8 and Light & Shadow, get a chance to see the artist behind hit songs such as Lonely by emailing your name and contact details to prize@y-oman.com by April 6, 2013.
RECIPES
EDITOR’S
NOTE
Welcome to the new look Y Tabloid - your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.
Fast forward U
Thanks to everyone who submitted their favourite family recipes to Y, in association with Radisson Blu. The winning dishes will be announced on our Twitter page @ytabloid today.
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Obsessed with accessories? Fashion lovers will have a unique opportunity to score a range of original pieces from the Middle East at the inaugural Fashion Forward (FFWD) event next month in Dubai. For more information, go to www.fashionforward.ae
THIS WEEK…
nlike Valentine’s Day, which I loathe, I am a big fan of Mother’s Day because I have the coolest mum in the world – and I want to celebrate that fact. Not only did she bring me into the world (in extreme pain) and make huge sacrifices (working hard to indulge and educate me) – she became the ultimate guide, guru and giver. That’s why dedicating a special day to her and others like her is so important. Without great mothers, society would be a significantly smaller, colder and more ill-mannered place. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I want to become a mother myself. I just don’t have the right attributes. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not cold, selfish or odd – just unsure. And I think you have to be pretty ‘sure’ to take on such a mammoth and lifelong task. Motherhood isn’t for everyone, that’s why our main feature focuses on the different views of women – from the childless by choice to the strategic working mummy. Also in this edition, we explore different ways to boost your fertility, entertain your kids and discover the wonders of the Empty Quarter. Enjoy!
Penny Fray
editor@y-oman.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha CONTRIBUTORS Kate Ginn, Joe Gill, Laura Shergold
Team Y have been bargain hunting at Muscat City Centre, celebrating Zeenah PR’s birthday at the Shangri-La, cooing over cool designs at The BIG Show and heeding the advice of our in-house guru to think happy and be happy.
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MAR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 262
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contents MARCH 20 2013
Features 18 Women & Motherhood To Be or Not To Be 22 Orphan Life The Abandoned Children Of Oman
Your Oman
11
06 The Big Interview HH Sayyida Taghreed Bint Turki Al Said 08 Voice of Oman Mum’s The Best 10 News Child Safety
Food & Drink 26 Trend Mouth Watering Mallows 28 Restaurant Review Aama’s Steakhouse
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This Week 13 Movies Listing Beasts Of The Southern Wild 14 This Week Thirsty Work 16 Gallery The BIG Show
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Cars & Outdoors Health & Beauty 30 Fashion Maternity Wear 32 Health Fertility 34 Tried & Tested Zumba 35 Shop Of The Week Saijo Denki
38 Outdoors Keeping Kids Amused 40 Destination The Empty Quarter 42 My Hood Al Mawaleh 44 Y-Fi Techno Mum 46 Car Of The Week Chrysler 200
45 NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...
RISE OF THE SUPERNANNY THE THREAT TO OMAN’S WILDLIFE SHOWING SOME METAL HOTTEST DOGS
News
YOUR
Gallery
INTERVIEW
OMAN
THE PAGE
TURNER
HH Sayyida Taghreed Bint Turki Al Said, CEO of Al Warraq International and My Book & Me in Muscat. Words: Penny Fray
Photo: Jerzy Wierzbicki
What inspired you to launch the uber cool reader lounge My Book & Me? I always wanted to do something special, which I couldn’t really do in my career at Sultan Qaboos University. We had a lot of second-hand books in our library at home because I teach and my husband is a doctor – so, I thought why not share these books? They’re just gathering dust on shelves and it’s not fair. I didn’t want a traditional library, so I decided to do a kind of reader’s café – somewhere that’s very comfortable, relaxing and where families could come and do things together. Everywhere you look, people are playing with their iPad or PlayStation and not communicating. I’m particularly passionate about the kids’ area. My husband encouraged me, dealt with all the paperwork and said ‘here you are – just do it – live your dream.’ What’s the book you’ve found most inspiring? It’s a pocket book written by a mother. She compiled all her children’s phrases and sayings. I can’t remember the title but I’d love to do the same. Kids are amazing because they challenge you with questions. You have launched some interesting classes – from ebru art and baking to Bollywood dancing and reading aloud in Arabic with puppets. What would be your ideal class? I would love to do summer camping in the Omani villages. We’d go for a couple of days, taking books and other forms of entertainment to really enjoy the experience. Tell me about your charity work: I do community service. That’s my contribution to society. Some people think my business is a charitable venture – it isn’t. Describe yourself in three words. People say I’m a great communicator. I’m enthusiastic and enjoy learning new things. I’m also a fighter. You have four children. Does being an educational psychologist help? Motherhood is a nice challenge. You think to yourself – ‘how can I turn this beautiful thing into a well-balanced, independent person who has confidence and self-esteem?’ I’m very good at telling other parents and teachers what to do but when it comes to my own kids, I get emotional. I need other people’s help. It’s the same with doctors and therapists – they cannot treat their own family because there’s a bond. What’s the best advice your mother gave you? Mum’s a very religious person, so when she talks, she talks from a religious perspective. She always taught us to be close to Allah. Don’t just go to Allah when you really need something or are struggling. Go even at peaceful and happy times. And remember to thank Him. Mum also taught us something I was telling my kids two weeks ago – and that is, whatever happens at home stays at home. We can argue in private but in front of others, we should always look like one. We should always be solid.
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Life Lessons Learnt Through Motherhood 1. I used to take more risks in life, now I’m more careful. While driving I always remember I have kids who love me and are waiting for me at home. 2. To love someone else more than yourself and not to be selfish. 3. The best kind of investment is in your kids. If I had to sacrifice my career for my kids, I’d do it.
The Voice of Oman Karima Farid celebrates the strengths and sacrifices of mothers in Oman.
I
always knew it but somehow, since expecting my own child, it’s become clear – mothers are superheroes. Love drives them to do extraordinary things for their children, even before they are born. The mysteries of parenthood never cease to amaze me as I prepare myself for the job. Despite being a communications expert, I can’t even find the words to express the whole gamut of emotions that I feel for my unborn bundle of joy. That’s why, when I recently bumped into a family friend and her 11-year-old daughter, I was amazed when she started yelling at her mother. I told her off and explained that her mum had carried her in her tummy for nine months to give her life. The little one looked at me, then her mum and hugged her. I smiled. It was a lovely moment and I felt like an evangelist for motherhood. So, to all you sons and daughters out there, think twice before you dare yell or speak harshly to your mothers. Offer her the respect and love she deserves. After all, she brought you into this world. She’s nurtured you and supported you through life’s rollercoaster ride – and she’ll continue to do so until it’s no longer possible. Whether you’re three or 33 – you’re still her child. So, show that you care this Mother’s Day (March 21) with a kind word or token of appreciation. From me – a heartfelt and loving thank you to all you mums out there. You deserve to be appreciated, loved and put first at all times. Happy Mothers Day – especially to my very own mama – to who I owe so much.
Next week: ISOBEL SPAVEN-DONN
mum’sthebest everything for us I don’t know where to begin. I don’t think I could ever come close to describing how much I appreciate my mother, how much she means to me, my brother and my sister, and how truly incredible she is. We are originally from Algeria. We moved to England when I was six and she got divorced while she was a student there with three kids (my dad went back to Algeria.) My mum has been single for 27 years. Instead of going back to Algeria where she had a family support network, she stayed in England to pursue her PhD because she would have lost it if we went back into an Arabic school system in Algeria. She always wanted us to have the best and especially what she wasn’t able to have in the village she grew up in. She enrolled us into private guitar, piano, trombone and violin lessons because she always wanted us to play an instrument but never had the opportunity herself growing up. We took private swimming and diving lessons because she had never learned to swim but wanted us to. She enrolled us in private drawing lessons and even dance lessons. She gave us private Arabic, French and Koran lessons. She encouraged us to play sports and I have fond memories of her taking me
ARE THEY HUMAN? Sometimes I ask myself, are mother’s robots? Do they have their own life? Are they our servants that just fulfill our needs and wishes before we ask? They sacrifice their sleep when we are ill and they take care of us the whole night. When we were small, they taught us to walk and talk. I don’t think science can prove that a human can work almost all of the time. Nobody notices how much a mother has to suffer for the sake of their child. I only know and want her to know that I love my mother and she’s really special. Nusair Bin Munawar, Ruwi, Class VII
No words required I am a non-verbal - autistic - special child. My mother understands, does everything for me without my speech. She is my trainerteacher- therapist-doctor-caregiver – she is everything to me. If I get hurt, she cries. For my smile she will do anything for me. Mum, I love you very much. You are the best mum in the whole world. Avantika Kumar, Muscat
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Winner! Reply of the Week
to soccer games when I played for my team. She did all this while she was a student and a single mother of three, in England, without any family. In 1990, she took us to Oman. As a single mother and at a time when Oman was not very well known, this was a daring transition. She did it because she was told that there were good schools and because it was a safe place to bring up a family. My mother taught us to work hard by working harder than anyone I know – she is 64 and still hasn’t retired as a doctor and teacher in the Sultan Qaboos University. She taught us to care for people in need by taking the sick into our home and caring for them – I remember having a dying cancer patient staying with us in our living room because they needed to be close to the hospital. She taught us to be generous and spend freely on the important things in life – she has no savings because she spent all her salary on our education. She is the smartest woman I know (she is a physician, a mathematician and a physicist). She has more integrity than anybody I know. She drives me crazy because she wants me to get married, but I love her dearly because she’s my mum. Thank you Ahmed Ait Ghezala, Muscat
YOU ARE AN ANGEL Thank you for taking care of my siblings and me. I may not say it to you everyday that: “I love you very much mummy for all the sacrifices you have been making for our family here in Oman. Thank you for patiently teaching me how to cook and keep our house clean and providing all the comfort I need. You are such an angel Mum!” Jennifer Kaye T. Soldevilla 11-years-old
APPLE OF MY EYE My mother is special. She cares so much about me. She loves me, does everything for me. Helps me with all my homework, takes care of me when I’m sick. Happy Mother’s Day! Aceline Mavazhe Seven years old
YOUR mother’s day feedback
LETTERS
Debate of the Week
+
We asked:
Are our children safe on the streets? Feroz Ahmed I was sending my kids outside to play without any hesitation until these incidents happened, but now I am worried. Manoj Kumar We need to teach our children and advise them not to go alone outside. After the case of the Indian School girl, my son doesn’t want to go alone to the shop even if it’s very near to my house. My family also feel unsafe to go out alone, even in the morning. We believe the Omani authorities will take care of this. Sophia F. Tayco No, they are definitely not safe outside. With what has happened with the two children from the Indian School, we need to give self-defence training to our children.
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Radisson Blu
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I'm a reader
Mary Lynch and her son Tameem were spotted with a copy of Y at Bandar Al Rowdha
JP Giliyar I’m very confident, not only that all our children are safe here, but also these days Oman’s media is creating awareness about these kind of issues. Rishikesh Chidhambaranathan We are not safe in any part of the world. Anything is possible anywhere. But these kinds of incidents make us think that our system is failing. Being vigilant and teaching kids how to defend themselves is the best course. Rahid Within the last couple of weeks acts taking place in Muscat have changed the tag from ‘No Fear’ to ‘Have Fear’. But certainly together we can build an even safer environment around us and be prepared with defence practice rather having fear. Sherrin Finoj After these kidnappings, absolutely not. I think we must take care of our children even more. Whether our child is small, big, girl or boy, no matter – we must teach our children that they must say no or react to anyone who does anything bad to them and to keep their distance from strangers. I wish our authorities would take a strict decision against it. Precaution is better than cure. We all must hope no other child will face this.
This Week’s Debate: If you had to give up either your mobile phone or your car, which would it be, and why? Tell us on Facebook.
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MAR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 262
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NEWS
Gallery I n t e r v i e w
Tragedy sparks safety campaign
Children switched on to hazards of unsafe electricity Words and photo: Kate Ginn
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he death of two brothers who were electrocuted while out playing football has led to the launch of an awareness campaign to prevent a similar tragedy happening again. Running until the end of the month, the safety initiative is aimed at children aged between six and 12. The Authority for Electricity Regulation decided to act after the sad case of the brothers, who were killed after a power cable touched a pool of water they both came into contact with. The younger boy had gone to fetch their ball and was electrocuted, as was the older brother who rushed to help him. The campaign is funded from fines imposed on electricity companies for health and safety failings. Statistics from the Ministry of Health (MoH) show that children suffer injuries from exposure to electric currents in the home due to faulty electrical appliances and poor wiring, and when playing near lighting and electricity installations outside the home. Injuries to boys are 75 per cent higher than girls and the rate of accidents appears to be 11 per cent higher in Muscat than in other regions, according to the MoH figures. Most children who suffer electrical related injuries are between the ages of one to four. “Most accidents happen at home but with
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Schoolchildren at the electricity safety exhibition at Al Sarooj
boys, it’s when they are playing outside near electric lines. They don’t really understand that it can be dangerous,” said Amal Shehab al Zadjali, public relations specialist for the Authority and project manager of the safety campaign. Based at the dome-shaped Children’s Museum at Al Sarooj museum in Shatti al Qurum, the campaign will focus on older children who can absorb information and hopefully pass it on to their younger siblings. Around 1,000 children from 67 schools will take part. Both the Ministry of Heritage and the Ministry of Education have given support. Two cartoon characters Omar and Alya, created by al Zadjali, are used to guide children around the museum and help them learn through interactive computer games and activities. All the children receive a free t-shirt, photo and a safety brochure to remind them of the experience and share the campaign messages with family and friends. “It’s a very serious message but we are using fun and games to educate them and not to scare them,” said al Zadjali. “The Muscat campaign is the start of what we hope will be a nationwide campaign. Nothing can be more important than safeguarding and protecting our precious children from harm.”
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THE SULTAN AND THE PRINCE Words: Kate Ginn
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Photo: Oman News Agency (ONA)
Prince Charles and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said at Bait Al Barakah
The Polo
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rince Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall are on the way back to the UK after a successful threeday visit to Oman. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said hosted an official dinner at Bait al Barakah in honour of the royal couple after a private audience where the existing co-operation between the two countries was discussed. His Majesty, who is a personal friend of The Queen, warmly greeted the royal guests after their arrival on Sunday evening. The royal couple also visited Nizwa while the Duchess met children at the newly opened National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre at the Bawshar Health Complex. They had been met earlier at Muscat airport by a delegation headed by HH Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al Said, Minister of Culture and Heritage, as the Protocol Guards of the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) performed the salute and the royal anthems of the United Kingdom and Oman. On Monday evening, Prince Charles and the Duchess were due to be guests of honour at a reception at the house of British Ambassador Jamie Bowden. Prince Charles was also expected to carry out an official visit to the Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) yesterday (tues) morning. The trip to the Sultanate marked the end of a nine-day tour to the Middle East as part of a mission to promote bilateral ties. This included a trip to Saudi Arabia, where the Duchess met some of the first Saudi female members of parliament.
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MAR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 262
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THIS WEEK
MOVIES MOVIES The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
THIS WEEK’S MOVIES
Beasts of the Southern Wild This startling, tough and convention-defying drama set in the Louisiana bayou, has at its heart a magnetic performance from Quvenzhané Wallis, only six at the time of filming. She plays Hushpuppy, the feisty daughter of a sick father (Dwight Henry) and absent mother, holding out against the odds in a poor, isolated community called Bathtub. The biggest threat to her existence is an approaching storm that threatens to wreck the precarious balance of her world. It may sounds like a kind of Deep South social realism, but Beasts is anything but – we see the story through the fantastical prism of Hushpuppy, a world in which giant flightless birds and prehistoric warthogs appear as warnings of nature’s malevolent power. Hushpuppy faces every
adversity with a pugnacious defiance. Her voiceover in her native broken English creates a poetic, wildly imaginative child’s eye view of reality. Fans of Terrence Malick or the works of Studio Ghibli will be at one with director Benh Zeitlin’s vision. While at times brutal and almost painful to watch, Beasts shows us something extraordinary about a child’s fierce will to fight back and make the best of her existence. The Cajun rock soundtrack brings an appropriate defiance to Hushpuppy’s battle with unyielding nature and adversity. It’s no surprise her performance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress – making her the youngest ever nominee. Beasts is a shout of joy amid the squalor and one of the most original films to arrive in a while. Reviews by Joe Gill
PREVIEW
Peace, Love and Misunderstanding An intergenerational comedy drama centred around ageing hippy Jane Fonda, who plays a tie-dyed in the wool, pot-smoking (and selling) grandma living in a tumble-down house close to Woodstock. She never left after the legendary 1969 concert of that name. When her uptight lawyer daughter (Elizabeth Olsen) arrives with two children in tow, a culture clash is guaranteed.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK Olympus Has Fallen 012
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Put Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi and Steve Carell in a movie together and you should, in theory, have the ingredients for a cracking comedy. Carell and Buscemi play a jaded duo of magicians who loathe each other and face being eclipsed by a street musician (Carrey) with a cult following. It’s time to rediscover what made them love their trade in the first place. Unfortunately this magic hat is a little short on rabbits.
For more information and times, go to: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641
The Last Exorcism Part 2
The Babymakers
We are still in Louisiana, but the similarities stop there. Clearly, the hit haunted horror ‘The Last Exorcism’ was not quite as final as its title implied. Back in the relative safety of New Orleans, Nell (Ashley Bell) realises she can’t remember what happened months before except that she is the last surviving member of her family. Her performance is the anchor in a so-so sequel.
How far will a man and woman go to have a baby? That’s the premise of this comedy, in which Olivia Munn and Paul Schneider are confronted with the fact that he may be firing ‘blanks’. Schneider gets roped into a madcap scheme to steal back his functioning seed from a sperm bank where he previously donated it. It starts well, but falls flat before the end.
Y’s TOP TWO Cloclo
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Most of us probably thought Frank Sinatra wrote ‘My Way’– in fact the original song was penned by French crooner Claude Francois. He is the subject of this lavish biopic about his four-decade career. It’s long at 148 minutes but Jérémie Renier is always watchable in the title role, bringing to the part energy, passion and a convincingly odd obsession with personal hygiene. La Vie en Rose for the disco age.
The Croods
After their cave is destroyed, a prehistoric family must up sticks for a new home. It’s unlikely that Dreamworks’ loopy Stone Age brood will supplant the Flintstones in the hearts of kids and grown-ups everywhere. The Croods has a whole heap of CGI beasties and fast-moving action, but is less compelling on the core drama of a family on the move.
GI Joe: Retaliation
2
A Common Man
T H E W H AT ’ S ON G U I D E
Gallery
Movies
This is IT March
A Capella Heaven
THIS
WEEK
What to do.
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Ladysmith shot to global fame following their collaboration with Paul Simon on his 1986 Graceland album. The following night, audiences will be treated to the sublime harmonies of Bulgarian female chorus Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares. Cantus, one of the US’s leading vocal ensembles, performs on March 28.
March
Four of the world’s top a cappella ensembles converge for three evenings of vocal mastery at the Royal Opera House this week. The uplifting energy of awardwinning South African all-male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo meets the gospel and folk sounds of all-female AfricanAmerican ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock on March 26.
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What to see.
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What to hear.
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Life is a Cabaret The Muscat Singers will be bringing cabaret classics to the Marina Bandar al Rowdha next Thursday from 7pm. Tickets at RO16 include dinner and a beverage. For tickets and more information please SMS 9557 4887.
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The most important event showcasing the latest in information technology for business and government in the Sultanate opens this week at the Oman Exhibition Centre. The Comex IT, Telecom & Technology Show is a chance to see the latest innovations in e-health, e-learning, e-payment, geoinformation systems, applications for public authorities, security and border technologies. Doors open between 10am–1pm and 4pm–10pm. For more information visit http://www.comexoman.com/2013/en/
March 25-29 50 Degrees and Rising March
The heat wave could be starting early this spring as Dolphin Village on Bawshar Street sees the mercury rising for the Rock Hard ’50 Degrees’ band, who will be playing poolside from 8 till late on March 21. For more information call Dolphin 20-21 Village on 24 591366.
Triple Terrific
March 22
You like food, fashion and shopping but you have to choose which one to do, right? Wrong. The Fashion Ka Jalwa with Food Fun and Fair promises to deliver just what it says on the tin. The venue is the Al Bahja hall at The Jungle restaurant complex next to Qurum Park. The Peugeot-sponsored event has been organised in association with the Indian Social Club and runs from 11am to 8pm.
Handmade
21 March
Joie de Vivre
The French Omani Centre has opened a new exhibition of collages by Omani artist Dr Mona Al Baiti under the title ‘Kingdom of the Sun’. The collection by Dr Al Baiti, who was educated at the Ecole Superieure de Beaux Arts in Brest and took her PhD at the Sorbonne, is dedicated to the many people from different backgrounds who have enriched her life. The exhibition runs till April 11.
Thirsty Work
March 21
March 21
Maz Hysteria Maz Jobrani was a founding member of the taboo-busting Axis of Evil act and Comedy Central special that became a sellout tour across the US and Middle East in 2007. Now Jobrani is back looking like a suave James Bond minus Walter PPK on his hilarious poster for the ‘I Come in Peace’ tour. Get your tickets for this one-night-only Alive Entertainment event at the Al Bustan Amphitheatre. Tickets at RO20 available from McKenzies Café & Deli, Bose Qurum City Centre, OUA MQ and Connexions Seeb City Centre.
Almouj Open Almouj Golf will host its first Open at the course on Thursday, sponsored by Diners Club Oman – and it’s an 8.30am shotgun start. The 18-hole tournament will be divided into three divisions: Ladies, Men’s 0-16 handicap and Men’s 17 and above handicap. Scoring will be in an individual medal format. The top three places in each division will be awarded prizes, the first place being an invitation to participate in the annual Diners Club Pro-Am in Abu Dhabi later this year.
March
You would have to be pretty heartless not to feel for the construction workers, ground crew, street cleaners and maintenance personnel out working in the scorching sun. Well, now you can make a difference by joining in the seventh I-Care event this week and help hand-deliver 7000 bottles of cold water to those who brave the heat to build this great country each and every day. Gather at Al Tawasul Building (near Al Fair, Al Azaiba) before 9am where 100 volunteers will use your donations to organise deliveries throughout 10 areas of the capital. Don’t forget your ice cooler! Spread the word, bring the water.
Crafty in Oman’s spring craft fair will be held on Thursday from 8.30am to 11.30am at 19 Nadhayer Street, Madinat Qaboos. It’s free entry to the fair, which is held on the road opposite Costa Coffee in MQ. More details from craftyoman@gmail.com
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THIS WEEK
The What’s On Guide
Movies
GALLERY
Constructing Oman at THE BIG SHOW
Photos by:Jerzy Wierzbicki
HE Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Sayyid Nasr bin Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi cut the ribbon at the OIEC
YOUNG omani SAILORS at the MusSanah RACE WEEK
Race Week judge Mohsin al Busaidi
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KEEPING
Mum
Not all women are born to be mothers. Some can’t, some won’t but most see it as a natural part of their life journey. Here four women talk candidly about their experiences and what motherhood means to them.
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The Mum Childless By Choice
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Y editor Penny Fray, 36, explains why, despite being of childbearing age, she’s opted out of motherhood
can see it in my mind’s eye. Somewhere between midnight and 4am – me crying in a mess of tears and talc on the nursery floor, screeching ‘I can’t do it!’ And I’d be right. I couldn’t. That’s why I’m joining a growing tribe of NoMos (non-mothers) who refuse to spawn. Not that anyone’s taking any notice of me. The pressure from family, friends and even complete strangers to have children is escalating on a daily basis. Scare-mongering fertility articles say I should “probably get started”. My long-suffering boyfriend says the same and keeps hassling me to settle down, offering a couple of carats as a carrot. But the reality is that I’ve yet to reach the point in life where I feel ready. The idea of becoming a slave to a little bundle of screaming baby scares me. I wish I could tell you why but I can’t. I’m not afraid of responsibility, stretch marks or even rising school fees. It’s just that I’m hard of hearing when it comes to the tick-tick-ticking of my biological clock. My mum says it’s because I haven’t found the right man. My friends say it’s because I’m too fond of my freedom. And research suggests that I’ve been educated out of the natural reproductive function. None of the above applies. But what I can say is that I’m not particularly fond of pain (and let’s not beat around the bush here - childbirth hurts); I like sleep (and deprivation makes me angrier than the Incredible Hulk); plus, I have plenty of interesting things to do with my time (none of which I’m prepared to swap for pushing a pram or changing nappies). Also, I may have been psychologically damaged as a toddler by the trauma of seeing a woman giving birth. Apparently, my father had to kick down the bathroom door after hearing my screams. When asked what was wrong, I replied that I was having a baby. It was the last time my mother left me in front of daytime TV unsupervised. It was also the last time I took an interest in having a baby. Will I change my mind? Am I going to get bludgeoned over the head by the realisation that my life is meaningless without children? Who knows. But I’m not going to get married and start breeding on a ‘just in case’ basis. If the old biological ticker did spring into action, however, I’d have to be knocked out cold, given a C-section and hire a small army of nannies to look after what would be a very much wanted child.
Nicholla Henderson-Hall, 36, mum to three-year-old Jessica, talks about how motherhood has changed her for the better
I
always wanted to have children but it was never the priority. When I was younger, it was all about finishing school, going to university and finding a job. I wanted to make money and climb the corporate ladder. I grew up in Dubai and met my future husband Justin when I was 19. We didn’t marry until 2008, we were just having too much fun, enjoying the Dubai lifestyle, and I had a good job in marketing. When we decided to start trying for a child, I fell pregnant almost straight away. We moved to Muscat with my husband’s work before Jessica was born. I was excited about becoming a mother but also nervous. I approached it with my business head on and started reading all I could about pregnancy. I found this great book, The Baby Whisperer, which leads you through the whole process and it worked for me. Being honest, when I first met my daughter, I didn’t love her immediately, that maternal instinct didn’t come naturally for me. But when Jessica was a few months old, I was watching a programme on television about a mother who had given up her child and it suddenly hit me, the realisation I could never do that, I could never give up Jessica because I had such love for her. In the beginning, I didn’t work and we also had help, a nanny, but I’m not the sort to sit around doing nothing. I’m now involved in social media and do radio work. I would like to have another baby, as I don’t want Jessica to be an only child, but it’s expensive to have children and you have to be smart. I look at it with the mindset that you are building a company; it’s about having the structure in place, the admin and the finances. If you are going to recruit a new person, you have to plan for it. Justin does call Jessica our ‘little investment’! Jessica has taught me a lot, a new way of loving and opening my mind to the possibility that anything is possible. I have learnt so much from having her. I understand people better; I feel that I can read people better now. We are very much a team, my husband and I, and Jessica. My thinking has changed, the way I see people and the way I make decisions has changed. My character has grown. Is having a child the best thing that I’ve ever done? No. I love having Jessica but I don’t want to just be defined as a ‘mum’. The things I’m doing now in my life along with having Jessica are my greatest achievements.
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My biological clock has been ticking increasingly loudly since my early 30s but I was having too much fun to care
The Teenager Banan Suwaid, 18, a student at Middle East College studying human resources, says children are part of her future plans but not for a while
I
Desperate To Have A Baby
definitely want to have children but not until I’ve graduated and been working for a few years. I’ll look at it again when I’m 23 or 24 and it’s possible that’s when I’ll get married. I want to Y writer Kate Ginn, 44, left motherhood too late and is now facing the wait before becoming a mother, as there are so many prospect it may never happen opportunities for me. I’m still developing and therefore I would rather wait and take my own path. My friends feel the y friends call me the ‘baby monitor’ because I can same; I think everyone of my age feels the same. Obviously, hear a small child a mile away. It’s a joke but only different generations have different perspectives and partly. It’s true that whenever a baby or toddler is women in the past had children earlier. in the area my senses seem to be heightened, There are also a lot more open-minded people and attuned to the cry or laugh of a little one. My friends think that’s the reason why I’m happy to delay having I’m a little mad. I know I’m just hormonal. children. It is a very personal thing in the end and I When I was younger, I always assumed that motherhood would would never judge a woman who didn’t want to have occur at some point, fitting into my whirlwind career at a time children, she will have her own reasons. convenient to me. It never happened. My biological clock has been I think certain families wouldn’t understand if ticking increasingly loudly since my early 30s but I was having too the woman decided that she didn’t want children much fun to care, believing that my all-consuming job was enough but I don’t think my family would have an issue, self-fulfillment. I was in pursuit of my own selfish pleasures. Then they would understand that I have my own valid my mum died and everything changed. Suddenly, my job and the reasons. Things have changed in Oman over the lifestyle seemed so hollow and empty. I had just turned 40 and last 10 years. People are getting more educated, I was seeing everything, including my life, with new eyes. girls in particular, and understand that everyLosing my mum was like a seismic shift inside one has the right to their own perspectives and me, changing my perspectives and bringing way of thinking. Having children is an amazing my own mortality into focus. Having a blessing but it might not happen. If I couldn’t have family became the most important thing children, I would adopt. I would become a mother to me. My desire to have a child left some way or the other. everything in its wake, including my job If I didn’t have the time, if I was busy with my job, and relationship. It became as all consuming I wouldn’t have children. Being a mother you need to as my career had once been. The trouble is, as make sacrifices at some point. Having children is part of my one female doctor curtly informed me, babies long-term plans but, like other girls my age, cannot be conjured up to order. I was emotionally I’m lucky in that I have more choice about ready to become a mum but my body wasn’t so sure. when that might be. Fertility dips past the age of 40. The chances of a healthy woman over 40 conceiving naturally in any one cycle is just 5 per cent compared to 25 per cent for a woman in her 20s. The figures for older women using IVF, or assisted reproduction, to have a baby make even more depressing reading. I should know. I became an expert on it. One round of IVF, more than RO5000 and lots of tears later, I was 42 and still childless. Two years on and nothing has changed. Friends think I should have come to terms with it by now and accept I may never achieve my dream. I can’t. To give up would be crushing. I have a nephew and two godchildren, who I adore, but my longing for a child of my own remains as strong as ever. My body seems to sense this could be our last chance and has turned up my maternal feelings off the scale. Wherever I go, children seem to seek me out as if they can smell the wannabe-mummy hormones emanating wildly off my body. A baby smiles and my heart melts and breaks a little. I have seen more than a few mothers look in alarm as I bear down on their child like a heat-seeking missile. There are also It’s a running joke with my friends now. One even refused to visit an orphanage with me while on holiday in India, fearing that I would get carried away and take one a lot more openaway with me. minded people In my darkest moments, I inwardly rant at my younger self for not having had and that’s the reason a baby years ago when my body and ovaries were willing and able, in their prime. Will I give it one last roll of the dice with IVF? why I’m happy to Or there’s always adoption. I’m single now so the options are delay having running out as fast as my eggs. All I do know is that if I never become a mum, by whatever way it may be, I’ll live to regret it. children
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Some are abandoned outside mosques or hospitals, and others are even left on the centre’s doorstep
THE ABANDONED children of oman
While Mother’s Day is a time of celebrating families – for some it is a stark reminder of missing out. Kate Ginn meets the children who live in one of the country’s orphanages. Words and images: Kate Ginn 022
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t’s on an ordinary residential road and the high wall surrounding the complex of buildings protects it from the outside world. There is nothing on the entry gates, no clue as to what lies within. Inside is a little community all of its own. Low, nondescript buildings are grouped around beautifully manicured grass, washing hangs outside on a clothes line and a playground with swings and a slide stands empty. There’s also a mosque and gymnasium. Everywhere is immaculate with not a drop of litter on the tree-lined streets. You would be forgiven for thinking it was some sort of upmarket residential complex. In fact, this discreet compound in Al Khoud is the child care centre where the unwanted and orphaned children of Muscat and other parts of the country live. On a recent trip to the orphanage, Y saw first-hand how these children, many of whom have been abandoned by their birth mothers, are cared for. Around 120 children call the centre home. Many are Omani by birth but there are other nationalities including Filipino. Most have been born outside wedlock. Some are abandoned outside mosques or hospitals, and others are even left on the centre’s doorstep. They are often just a few days old. The police or health authorities take them to the centre,
Around five to eight children, usually including a baby, will live with a foster mother in each of the 20 or so villas. There is a small kitchen and a small sitting room, and the older children have their own rooms
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where the children with no names are handed over to staff, who will have to give them full names so birth certificates can be issued. All of the orphans are automatically given Omani nationality by the government, according to staff. The only ‘mothers’ they are likely to know – unless they are one of the 40 or so lucky ones adopted each year – are the women who act as foster mothers and do their best to provide some semblance of a family. I ask one of the staff if the children carry the stigmatisation of being born outside marriage, at their schools or by society in general, and she replies no, that they are accepted as any other children. Tomorrow (Thurs) as children all over Oman celebrate Mother’s Day and their love for the one who brought them into the world, it will be a far more muted day at the orphanage. Most of them, of course, will never know who their mother is. Previously the children’s home was in Al Khuwair and moved to the purposebuilt complex, which is managed by the Ministry of Social Development, in 2011. The children can remain there until they reach adulthood, although girls can stay longer if unmarried. Around five to eight children, usually including a baby, will live with a foster mother in each of the 20 or so villas. There is a small kitchen and a small sitting room, and the older children have their own rooms. It’s eerily quiet when the children are at school, the villas and playgrounds empty, like a ghost town. The nursery, however, is bustling when we wander in. Today, there are visitors and the children are dressed in spotless pale blue and white uniforms, sitting on little plastic chairs. They smile shyly at the attention. As I am leaving later, a villa front door bursts open and four children tumble out. Little Yousef squeals with excitements as his big ‘sister’ swings him around and protectively hugs him close. They seem happy. As I leave, they stand watching me waving until I am out of sight.
THINK OF SOFA, THINK OF US.
1
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promotion
AKON
in April
Mega concert for the benefit of Oman Cancer Association
S
ince his debut album Trouble back in 2004, singer, songwriter and producer Akon has shot to international stardom with hard-edged hip-hop and catchy dance-floor hits including his rendition of the ‘Chammak Challo’ song from the Shah Rukh Khan film Ra. Now the Senegalese-American star is coming to Muscat. Light and Shadow Enterprises is bringing Akon to the Oman Automobile Association grounds on April 11. And funds raised will be going to a good cause. “It gives us great honour in announcing that this event is for the benefit of the Oman Cancer Association, creating awareness about their hard work and contribution to our society,” said the managing director of Light and Shadow Enterprises, Rajeev Chowdhary. The Hon. Yuthar Al Rawahy, founder and chairperson of the OCA, said: “These funds will support a number of projects organised by the Association. Partners like Light and Shadow give great support in our outreach programmes. The involvement of the community in such social events is an effective tool in creating awareness for cancer and the ethos and activities of the Oman Cancer Association.” Akon has already given knockout performances in major cities including New York, Shanghai, Austin, Texas and Mumbai to name but a few. Now Muscat is being added to the list, with more than 20,000 enthusiastic fans expected to descend for this thriller next month. Tickets are now available from most branches of Al Fair in Muscat. Prices range from RO20 to RO125. Before securing the Akon gig, Light and Shadow pulled off the coup of bringing Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to Oman. Akon, a Guinness World record holder and a multiplatinum-selling Grammy nominee, has told event organisers that he is looking forward to this maiden trip to Muscat. It is hoped his performance will set the stage on fire. So guys, don’t wait, grab your tickets at the closest branch of Al Fair before they run out.
MAR 20 – 26 / ISSUE 262
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food and drink
T rend
New Restaurant
Reviews
They are the quintessential camping food. But marshmallows have now undergone an artisan makeover. Forecast to be the sweet food fad of the year, these fluffy squares have made it on to the finest menus in town. By adding perfumed ingredients like rose water and vanilla to the sugar and gelatin pillows, these children’s favourites have been elevated to suitable grown-up fare.
TRY IT!
These cute cubes of low fat loveliness make amazing Mother’s Day gifts – and they’re easy to create. Simply mix sugar, glucose and water in a pan, bring to the boil and cook until the mixture reaches 127 degrees Celsius. Add softened gelatin sheets, whisked egg whites and rose water to the mix before spooning into a prepared tin. Leave to set for about an hour, then cut into cubes and decorate with candied rose petals.
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review N e w R e s t a u r a n t
News
Info Box
TASTY JOINT
Address: Aama’s Steakhouse, Al Bashair St, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat Twitter: @AamasSteakhouse Average dinner price (for two) RO15
For those of you who haven’t already remembered – Thursday is Mother’s Day – and to celebrate Rumaitha Al Busaidi takes her mum to dinner at Aama’s steakhouse.
M
y mother is a traditional Omani woman who defines being social by either inviting her friends and family over to dinner or opting to visit them at their homes. The idea of going out and having a full-blown, fancy meal with her daughter isn’t something she does very often. So, for an early Mother’s Day delight, I decided to treat her to an evening at Aama’s – which is one of the Arabic words for mother. (How thematic is that?) Firstly, if you’re a vegetarian, this isn’t necessarily for you. As the name suggests, this restaurant is all about the meat. That said, Aama’s is the place to go if you want great steak. My mum is a carnivore, so I couldn’t think of a more perfect joint (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun). Anyway, just in case you didn’t know, this pretty cool, laid-back place lies in the heart of Madinat Qaboos, right next to Al Noor Plaza. Initially, the
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home of the New York Deli, this steakhouse has fast with a side of jacket potatoes, vegetables and a gained a reputation for its chilled ambience. couple of glasses of soft drinks to wash it down with. The décor is ‘kinda’ quirky thanks to the strange To be honest, I was pretty much dreading how blend of Americana and traditional Omani mum would react to the steak as she tends to be artifacts. Expect to see framed khanjars alongside more critical than the harshest of Parisian chefs. bikes, guitars and other random items. Reviews on the Internet have been mixed about the Nonetheless, it is pretty spacious and food, with some saying it’s a bit hit and miss while not too crowded – which is perfect others praised it. But, lo and behold, one bite incited for mum, who understandably hates a huge smile from my mum. Her verdict was that people eyeing up her food and it was really good – which to the rest of us means earwigging her conversation from ‘amazing’ and other gushing adjectives. neighbouring tables. The subdued It was a decent portion and we were so full that lighting added to the sense of we couldn’t even manage to squeeze any of the privacy, while the music delicious-looking desserts into our stuffed kept things light, bright bellies. But I guess that’s always the risk VERDICT: and beautiful. when two petite women, even ones with The menu is compact big appetites, order steak with all the 10 and the choice of steak on trimmings. Food that made offer, small – but that suited us both. We both had an enjoyable evening. my mum smile? How could I give Indecision is always the sequel to any However, what made it all the more it less! menu that reads like War and Peace. special for me was spending it with We both decided on having the rib-eye someone I love and admire. Spending steak, grilled to a delicious medium to well done quality time with my mum always rocks!
8
HEALTH& BEAUTY
FROM HERE TO MATERNITY
Pregnancy clothing doesn’t have to be boring. It can easily be made to work the trends if you look for seasonal detailing and cool colours. Blue is currently in vogue as are stripes and ’60s patterns.
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Health
Beauty
FASHION
Wear this versatile Mothercare tunic alone or over leggings for the ultimate fuss-free maternity outfit.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS Penny Fray picks maternity pieces for sitting pretty while you’re on stork watch.
F
inding great fitting fashionable maternity wear can be extremely frustrating, especially if you don’t want to hide your burgeoning bump in what looks suspiciously like a gigantic tent. Thankfully, high-street and online retailers are getting better than ever in providing yummy mummies-to-be with fab, fashion-forward pieces. Gap has some amazing basics that don’t break the bank, while Mothercare’s Blooming Marvellous range is surprisingly stylish. For designer kudos try Isabella Oliver’s curve- loving creations. Royal Brit with a bump Kate Middleton has already been spotted maternity browsing in both Topshop and Seraphine. Copy her style with a sensible wrap dress or, if you’re already feeling the desert heat, go for Angelina Jolie’s cool kaftans. The local souks have some amazing silk ones in all sorts of sunny colours. Whatever your style, it’s important to invest in pieces that will build your perfect capsule wardrobe. While maternity jeans are an obvious essential, other pieces that should be added to your checklist include a ruched top, jacket, comfortable shoes and easy-to-wear jersey dress with artful draping. This body tank from Gap is a brilliant way to add a pop of colour into your outfit. RO8.26
Feet inevitably swell when you’re carrying a baby, so quality and comfort are important considerations. That’s why we love Clarks Originals – available from Muscat City Centre and Muscat Grand Mall.
Mothercare’s maternity jeans should be considered every mother-to-be’s wardrobe staple.
Even those of us without a bump seriously ‘heart’ this statement jacket from Asos.com. It ticks all this season’s fashion boxes. RO32
A shirt-dress is a versatile necessity in that it can be dressed up or down. Try this one from Gap.com for RO24.82
Pea In A Pod: PENNY’S GUIDE ON WHAT TO WEAR WITH A WADDLE 1 Embrace the art of layering with low-key pieces in natural fabrics like cotton and silk. 2 A maxi dress is easy to wear when you’re too exhausted to think let alone dazzle. 3 Look for clothes that show the narrowest part of your body.
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H ealth
Beauty
DO YOU WANT
ONE OF
THESE
Fashion
?
Age is an important factor when it comes to getting pregnant, especially for women, but everyone can help to protect their fertility. Here’s how, says Penny Fray. 032
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H ealth
‘
Tick tock’ – is the famous line in Bridget Jones that rings through every childless woman’s ears. But like it or not, when it comes to fertility, age matters. According to medical experts, both men and women are at their most fertile in their early 20s. In the fairer sex, this declines more quickly with age, racing down the hill like a Formula One car after the age of 37. This has a number of causes, but particularly the decline in the quality of the eggs released by the ovaries. Yes. Biology can be a downer. That’s why around one third of couples in which the woman is over 37 have fertility problems. This rises to two thirds when she’s over 40. Men’s fertility gradually declines from around the age of 40, but most are able to father children even when they’re older. “A couple may be considered infertile if, after two years of regular intercourse, without contraception, the woman has not become pregnant,” explains Dr Aseel A. Altaee, a gynecologist at Starcare Hospital, Muscat. These statistics make scary reading for anyone who has put career and personal ambitions ahead of their desire to be a parent. And thanks to the insensitive remarks of well-meaning friends, relatives and experts, it’s easy to be convinced that if you’re over 30, a baby will be nothing short of a miracle. In fact, a recent survey by a natural family planning company found that more than half of women are disproportionally concerned about their fertility. So, do you want to know if you’re able to conceive? One thing you can do now is ask your mum. New research suggests that you’re likely to follow your mother’s fertility pattern. So, if she had a late menopause (after 51), you’re likely to have lots of good eggs later than average too. Of course, this isn’t something to hang any important family decisions on but it’s a useful and free indicator. Other clues that your body is baby ready include a regular cycle, a working womb and the absence of either fibroids or endometriosis. Symptoms like pelvic-painful, heavy or long periods are usually indicative of the latter conditions. Thankfully, having fibroids or endometriosis does not mean you won’t be able to conceive eventually. “Other possible reasons for infertility include problems with ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes preventing the sperm from reaching the eggs or preventing the eggs from being able to reach the uterus – as well as pelvic inflammatory disease,” says Dr Altaee. “The causes for infertility may sometimes be a combination of the above. It can also happen that a clear cause at times may not be established.” The treatment on offer depends on what is causing your fertility difficulties.“In case of problems relating to ovulation, prescribing fertility medicines is the main form of treatment,” continues the Muscat-based specialist. “Benefits and side effects of taking such medication should be carefully discussed with your gynecologist first. Many fertility drugs increase a woman’s chance of having twins, triplets or other multiple pregnancies. If there is a tubal block or endometriosis, IVF is advised. But intrauterine insemination is done in cases of mild male factor infertility and couples with unexplained infertility.”
Beauty
Fashion
If you’re still single or desperate to protect your fertility, it’s a good idea to follow a healthy lifestyle. Eat properly. Being underweight or overweight can both lower your chances of getting pregnant – polycystic ovary syndrome, for instance, is made worse if you’re obese. “Lifestyle modifications, maintaining adequate body weight and having proper nutrition can help,” explains Dr Altaee. “Losing weight not only improves fertility but also reduces adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with obesity.” Also, don’t smoke. Women who puff their way through 20 cigarettes a day can experience the menopause on average two years earlier, while men who smoke risk damaging their sperm. Not so obvious, however, is avoiding exposure to radiation and chemicals such as glycol ether, found in some paints. The list goes on – but if you’ve been trying to conceive for a year or more and are still not pregnant, it’s time to see your doctor.
FIVE
EASY WAYS TO BOOST YOUR FERTILITY
1. HAVE A HOLIDAY
Most women get pregnant whilst on vacation or honeymoon thanks to the sun, sea and lack of stress. Sounds like a good excuse for a well-deserved break to us.
2. EXERCISE MORE Research indicates that low impact activity can help boost your fertility levels. Just make sure you don’t overdo it – after all, by burning body fat you are also reducing estrogen levels in the body, which, if too high, can throw your cycle out of sync.
3. EAT WELL Foods known particularly for boosting fertility include green leafy vegetables, strawberries, lentils, whole grains, almonds, sweet potatoes, avocado and seeds.
4. MIND THE CAFFEINE Limit your intake to two cups of coffee a day.
5. EAT HONEY The word ‘honeymoon’ is said to derive from the ritual of newlyweds taking a spoonful of the sweet stuff every night to speed up the babymaking process. MAR 20 – 26 / ISSUE 262
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Beauty
Zumba
Fashion
at the
REVIEW
Al Bustan Palace
Keep fit while learning some great dance moves Words: Tanushka Marah
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ba ZumInfo s : Al s Cla th Club h Club c l Hea lace Beaructor: 80) a inst 0200 or P n f a Bust Zumba ntila (99 entary o m lace e P l p a s a m is P Mar s are co Bustan rs of the se f Al e s b a l m C sts o me lace gue tel and stan Pa b. Ho Al Bu h Clu Beac
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abhor exercise, but I do it. I do it because I love the feeling afterwards and I want to fight my natural leaning to the large. When on the treadmill I watch the clock meticulously and barely seem to break into a sweat. However, I love – love - dancing. When I go out dancing I drip with perspiration and never want the night to end. So when Zumba came out, I was actually dubious, because I am also a dance snob. I thought it would just be an embarrassing group wiggle session. Luckily I was wrong. I have been to some classes in England and have loved them, but I was a little surprised to hear that the Al Bustan Palace Ritz Carlton was offering Zumba – I’ve never taken classes anywhere quite so upmarket back in the UK. Al Bustan Beach Club recreations manager Markus Trier explained that he wanted to bring something exciting and different for guests and club members alongside the traditional workout sessions available. He tracked down Zumba instructor Marissa Pontilla in February and invited her to give classes at Al Bustan Palace. Zumba takes its music and dance routines from samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, Bollywood, belly dance and hip-hop. It started in Colombia in 1986 when aerobics instructor Alberto ‘Beto’ Perez forgot his tape of music for a class he was teaching. Instead he used the salsa and merengue tapes he had in his backpack and so begun the Zumba phenomenon. It was in Orlando, Florida, in 2011 that Marissa met Beto at a Zumba training convention, attended by no less than 6000 Zumba instructors. “It was amazing. He was interested in the flag on my badge as he couldn’t match it to my face.” Marissa was born in the Philippines but has lived in Oman for 23 years. She began teaching Zumba in 2010 after training in Bangalore, India. “At first I was the only one in Oman. Later, I brought the coach here from Mumbai to give training and licenses to other teachers. Now there are nearly 20 – a few Omanis too.” Zumba really is an equalizer. If you want you can just follow the steps as much as you can. If you can’t follow them all that’s fine. It’s your ‘interpretation’ – and the majority of people in each class are ‘interpreting’. As you come more often you get to know more of the moves. If you’re a dance lover like me, well it’s a genuine challenge. You get to learn loads of new moves and a proper work out which can only leave you smiling. Trier has hit the jackpot with Marissa. She will make you smile from the moment you meet her. She is a genuinely positive, encouraging and energetic person and, more importantly, an excellent teacher. She has also has great selection of music and routines. In addition to her classes at the Al Bustan, she runs classes at the Al Muneif Sports Centre in Al Khuwair from Saturday to Thursday.
promotion
SHOP the week
SAIJO DENKI F
orget about diamonds, flash cars and designer accessories – the only ‘must have’ item in Muscat during the hot season is an air conditioner. Okay, so it’s not as exciting as opening a black box with the desirable double CC logo on the front, but I tell you what – when the city heat rises, I’d swap my Chanel bag for an air conditioning unit in a heartbeat. Why? Because, quite literally, it’s a lifesaver. It helps you breathe properly, stay cool as well as ensuring that you and your little ones can sleep, work and play. Need I go on? Saijo Denki is regarded as one of the industry leaders in air conditioning, striving hard to develop environmentally friendly products with maximum energy efficiency. Technologically advanced, some of their models boast purer air, easy installation, outdoor auto cleaning and a quieter design. Sounds good, huh? From residential to commercial air conditioning, Saijo Denki is the ‘cool’ name to remember – especially as the temperatures start to go up.
MAR 20 – 26 / ISSUE 262
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My Hood
Cars
Wi-Fi
OUTDOORS
CARS AND OUTDOORS TODDLER TREK
Y’s guide to keeping the children entertained while out and about enjoying Oman’s wadis and nature parks
MAR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 262
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CARS AND OUTDOORS
Are We
There
Yet?
Keeping two little ones amused over two days is kids’ play, finds Laura Shergold
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ot having any children myself, I was looking forward to my niece and nephew coming out to Oman for the week. At 18 months and three years old, Matthew and Elizabeth are full of boundless energy. The challenge was keeping them occupied and, more importantly, amused during their stay. With playgrounds around every corner and soft-play areas in nearly all malls, the first few days in Muscat were sorted. But we had grander plans than that. No trip to Oman is complete without seeing the desert and at least one wadi. I’ve visited these before with my husband but how would it be with two demanding little ones in tow? This is the story of two action-packed days, two very excitable children and one exhausted (but happy) aunty. We drove to the desert in a convoy, ten of us altogether, five in each car. Thankfully the roomy 4x4s meant we weren’t too squashed in and the children were safe in their car seats. A big thank you to Muscat Mums for the hire of car seats, cot and high chairs (See box, right). It’s around a two-and-a-half hour journey from Muscat to Wahiba Sands, and 1000 Nights, our camp for the night. Obviously this timing is dependent on traffic and the number of stops needed. However if, like us, you are travelling with two young children, I would add an extra hour onto that. The camp is approximately 40km from Raka Village, where the desert starts. The journey started well, Louise, mum to Matthew and Elizabeth, had
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packed their favourite nursery rhymes CD and we easily passed an hour doing the actions to ‘Wheels on the Bus’ and ‘Grand Old Duke of York’. The scenery along the way was an entertainment in itself, with Matthew happily shouting out ‘digger’ every time he saw any type of yellow vehicle and Elizabeth on camel watch. With the sun well up in the sky, we attached towels to the passenger windows to protect the children’s skin. We arrived at 1000 Nights mid afternoon, and it was so hot there was only one place we were all headed, the swimming pool. Decked out with armbands, the kids jumped into the pool and were soon splashing about like true water babies. Come evening, we had all worked up an appetite for dinner. Unfortunately, there was only one high chair available and that had been taken, but there were enough adults for Matthew to have his pick of laps and Elizabeth happily sat with the rest of us. After dinner, we were pleasantly surprised by a musical interlude with some authentic Arabic singing from Bedouin men and women. The kids loved this and were in their element dancing along to the music before it was time for bed. Sunrise the next day meant camel rides. One by one we took turns riding around on our accommodating ships of the desert. After seeing his mum and dad riding off into the sun together, Matthew decided he wanted a piece of the action too. Back in the car again, we set off to our next destination, Wadi Bani Khalid. This wadi is around 250km from Muscat (around 70km from
My Hood 1000 Nights Desert Camp) and offers pools of crystal clear waters to swim in, as well as a shaded lunch area and cafe. Without a doubt, the most challenging aspect of travelling with children is how to keep them entertained on long car journeys. Music is invaluable, whether it be upbeat lively songs to keep their little minds ticking over or soothing nursery rhymes, which may just send them (and the adult passengers) into a peaceful slumber. Portable DVD players are also a great idea. We arrived at the wadi mid afternoon and headed straight for a dip. Though the wadi wasn’t really suitable for small children, they were happy to watch us messing around in the cool, clear waters. There are plenty of shady areas at Wadi Bani Khalid, but again, hats and sunscreen are mandatory. Swim over and bellies filled, we were on to our last stop for the day, the Muscat Festival at Al Amerat Park. Back in the car once again, there was no need for games or music, as our sleepy little travellers enjoyed an afternoon snooze, leaving the adults to enjoy some peace and quiet. Thirty minutes later however, and naptime was over. The children were awake again and ready for the long journey to be over. At this point there was only one thing for it – sweets! The sugar rush helped raise the mood alongside the anticipation of what lay ahead. Finally, the bright lights of the festival were in sight and Matthew and Elizabeth had found their second wind. Ignoring any cultural offerings on sight, both headed straight for the slides and swings, and, as they had been so well behaved throughout the day, it was only fair that we obliged. We all enjoyed some crepes for tea from one of the traditional Omani food stands, and after having a look at the camels and donkeys on show, headed back to our house. We were exhausted, ready for our beds but happy. If I learnt one thing from our brilliant road trip it was just how important pre-planning is when travelling with kids. Lists have to be made and bags have to be planned and packed in advance. There’s no denying that travelling with two young children can be hard work at times but it is, without a doubt, worth it. The memories will stay with me forever.
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Above: Enjoying the waters at Wadi Bani Khalid. Above left, Laura with her niece Elizabeth and nephew Matthew
Tips: Muscat Mum hires out baby gear, including baby car seats from newborn to four years, child booster seats, high chairs, travel cots, strollers, child carriers and back packs. Find all info at www.muscatmums.com. Hire cost is RO2 per week for any item plus a RO10 deposit. Just email babygear@muscatmums.com Take CDs of nursery rhymes/children’s songs for the journey. Portable DVD players can help pass the time too. Games can be fun, although ‘eye spy’ can sometimes be a challenge in the desert! Something beginning with S anyone? Regular pit stops are essential for restless minds and bodies. Sun screens in car keep that hot sun off delicate faces. Healthy snacks help keep hunger at bay.
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for Beginners
Images: Jerzy Wierzbicki
The Empty Quarter Ramlat Az Zamayim, at the edge of the Rub’ al Khali, is only a one-day journey from Muscat, says Jerzy Wierzbicki 040
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HOW TO GET THERE
travel guide
e were just a few kilometres from the asphalt road and 400km from Muscat when we saw the dunes. They were in a long formation that looked like a small mountain chain made of sand. In that moment we all felt as though we had stepped into the real Empty Quarter. But first, some background. The Empty Quarter is the biggest sand desert in the world. The dunes spread across a huge area – 1100 km by 650 km – situated between four Arab countries. The largest part is in Saudi Arabia, with a significant section of it on the border between Saudi Arabia and Oman, mostly covered by long and high dunes. This is rightly considered to be one of the most dangerous environments on the planet and, like Antarctica, is untouched by human civilisation. I have visited the Empty Quarter several times and I have always prepared myself and my equipment with a lot of attention to the real dangers of this place. In the desert, if things go wrong, no-one can hear you scream. Perhaps for this reason I had always gone with a group of friends, mostly experienced 4x4 drivers who shared my endless curiosity to explore this region. On my last trip to the Empty Quarter I had first gone to Ramlat Hashman, which is located very close to the border with Saudi Arabia and more than 1000km from Muscat. During this trip I thought a lot about how to find an easier way to reach this desert from Muscat without making this marathon journey. One evening at the end of January, I sat with my maps, diaries and GPS locator and tried to compose a new route to the desert. One of the points saved on my GPS was a favourite spot from a previous trip. Ramlat Az Zamayim, at the edge of the Empty Quarter, is a one-day journey from Muscat. It is a place with long sand dunes, big silences and pure air. I decided that this was the best location from which to start my next adventure in the ‘Arabian Ocean of Sand’. From Ramlat Az Zamayim you can explore the Empty Quarter without any special equipment, retuned 4x4s or lots of off-road experience. Also, if you know the way, this place is relatively easy to reach, much easier than Ramlat Hashman or Ramlat Muqsin. So, a few weeks ago I led a group of my friends on a major tour of the country with the ultimate destination being the Empty Quarter. After five days traveling from Muscat through the Wahiba Sands, on to Masirah Island, Al Huqf Escarpment and Duqm, we reached the town of Hayma. Here we shopped for food and enjoyed a lavish lunch. Then we set off to the north and, after several dozen kilometres, moved into the desert, driving directly to the sand dunes of the Ramlat Az Zamayim. The destination point was around 25 km from the road. On the way there the desert is perfectly flat and the sandy surface is hard enough to drive safely even for 4x4 beginners. En route we passed a few medium-sized sand dunes and established a night camp between two big sand heaps. When you finally reach the dunes proper, you feel yourself to be entering a different universe – the biggest sand desert in the world. But beware. Although Zamayim is not far from the road and the route fairly straightforward, you cannot afford to ignore desert conditions. You will still need a good 4x4 with highquality tyres and a minimum of one spare wheel. Be sure that you have enough water, food and fuel. Inform your friends and family where you are planning to go and check everything beforehand. Last but not least, reduce the pressure in the tyres before you set off on the sand.
From Muscat go to Adam on Road 31. From Adam continue in a southern direction to a small place called Ghaba, where you can refuel your car. From there go to Hayma. Before Hayma you will see small road signs to Sheikh Zamayim. After 2 km turn right into the desert at GPS point N20’46’12 E57’06’36” The first dunes appear around 13 km from Zamayim. MAR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 262
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EXPLORING
AL MAWALEH The Good, The Bad & The Ugly For shopping you are spoiled for choice, from LuLu to Muscat City Centre. Accommodation is reasonably priced but the drawback is the distance to most of the international schools. Not many parents will relish fighting through the rush-hour traffic for the school runs. It’s close to the airport and much of the district is under the direct flight path, and the new airport – due to open in 2014 - is on your doorstep. At least the beach and The Wave are close by.
Living There Rental prices are extremely attractive. It’s possible to find a decent four-bedroom villa, which can be yours for a very nice RO500-amonth. It pays to be wise though and choose your location carefully as one expat family found themselves opposite a company with huge trucks rumbling in and out every 10 minutes, creating a wave of dust and a cleaning nightmare. Nights out can mean an expensive taxi fare back but, on the plus side, it’s cheaper to live there than more central areas such as Qurum, Shatti and MQ. That said there are plenty of facilities, including the Al Bahja Cinema and Starcare Hospital, on the doorstep. The International School of Choueifat is in the area but the other internationals are a trek away. True, it is in the path flight but residents say you don’t notice the noise after a while.
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Photo by Jerzy Wierzbicki
The LowDown When you are home to two of Muscat’s larger shopping malls, it goes without saying that you’re a favourite destination for anyone from toddlers to grandparents. With the opening of the two malls, Al Mawaleh became a lot more popular as a residential area too, thanks to its cheaper rents. It also has The Wave, Muscat, a lifestyle complex beloved by Western expats, who lap up its beach, swimming pools and restaurants. It might be a little rough around the edges and removed from the action, but Mawaleh’s got a lot to offer those willing to try somewhere different.
Whether you’re a food lover, shopaholic or a beach bum, this place is a winner.
Cars Why I live here: There are good and bad points to Mawaleh. It is in the flight path but I honestly don’t notice it anymore. I love shopping so having the malls close by is great. Taxi fares can be expensive if you want a night out but then the rent is cheaper. Our villa is huge compared to what we had in the UK. Sally Goodall, UK expat and mother.
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Places of Interest If you’ve ever wondered how perfume is made, the answer can be found at Amouage’s new factory and visitor centre. Opened in December at the site of its existing premises to celebrate its 30th year of operations, the two-storey perfumery allows visitors an insight into the various stages of manufacture, from ingredient mixing to bottling and packaging, as well as the perfumeextraction process. Just don’t expect the secrets of the unique fragrances to be revealed. Giant telecommunications company Omantel has its HQ in the area too. The Rehab al Mawaleh Complex is also sited here. Islamic-style architecture can be seen at Al Sahwa Park, which is a great place to take the family when weather allows. You can enjoy computer-controlled water fountains and six Islamic gardens designed in geometric shapes.
Hang Outs It’s difficult to know where to begin. Best to start with the two stars of the show, Muscat City Centre and Markaz Al Bahja, heaven for retail lovers. Close to each other on different sides of Sultan Qaboos highway, these were the undisputed kings of the shopping malls until the young upstart Muscat Grand Mall came along. They may be showing their age a little – Muscat City Centre opened in 2001 – but all the old favourites can be found here. MCC has a couple of good restaurants, including family favourite Chili’s and excellent The Noodle House. Markaz Al Bahja has a multi-screen cinema and an eight-lane ten pin bowling area, ideal for those long, hot summer months confined indoors. Then there’s The Wave, Muscat, with its pristine marina, home to Oman Sail, and leisure complex. You don’t need to live there to visit the three restaurants, Costa Coffee and Al Fair supermarket, which stocks Waitrose products. Non-residents aren’t allowed to use the communal swimming pools but access to the beach is open to all. There’s even a small dog park to walk your pet pooch. Elsewhere, there are a few restaurants, including an Iranian and Yemeni plus the obligatory McDonald’s, and a new hotel, Hotel City Center. For get-awayfrom-it-all moments, there’s Al Sahwa Park, close to MCC, with coffee shops, a restaurant and a mosque.
Shopping As we’ve already said, it’s all about the malls. Whether it’s for groceries or clothes, a television or a fridge, your needs can be catered to. All the classic brands can be found, from Mango, Next and Zara, to Matalan and Marks & Spencer, inside MCC, which has a small food section, much to the delight of British expats missing home. There’s also a massive Carrefour to potter round. Children can be kept amused in the Magic Planet entertainment and play area, allowing mums and dad to shop in peace. Those who prefer the personal touch of smaller retailers will be pleased know there’s a large fruit and vegetable market in the area. If you prefer LuLu Hypermarkets, there’s one just a short drive away. MAR 20 – 26 / ISSUE 262
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MODERNISING MUM
Because she raised you, because you care, and because you don’t want to field her endless questions, Penny Fray picks the best gadgets for your tech phobic mum.
THE TECH IN YOU
THE LITTLE APPLE It’s small, smart and incredibly stylish – the new mini iPad from Apple is the ultimate ‘thank you for giving birth to me’ gift. Its operating system is pretty intuitive, so your mum will have hours of fun browsing through e-books, downloading recipes and of course – reading Y Magazine online. Get it from any of the city’s Apple stores. Prices start from RO130
BLOOMING LOVELY All mums like flowers – especially the Orla Kiely kind. That’s why we recommend this iPad cover from the cult Irish designer - available for RO38 from Harvey Nichols.
EDITOR’S PICK OOH, LA, LA From grand Parisian restaurants to market stalls in picturesque villages, there’s something quintessentially French about freshly made crêpes. With everything needed to recreate these wafer-thin treats at home, any keen chef would be delighted to receive this kit from Lakeland in Muscat City Centre.
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PICTURE PERFECT You may not like having baby photos of you naked in the bath on show but mums do. Load the most memorable family shots into a Kodak Pulse digital photo frame for her. To update the revolving digital gallery, your mum can simply email photos directly from her phone. How simple is that? Visit your nearest Kodak store for details. RO77
FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS COOK’S COMPANION Your mum has finally swapped paper cookbooks for the digital kind but as anyone who has ever followed a tablet recipe in the kitchen knows, things can get messy. The Belkin Kitchen stand offers the perfect solution. Just prop the tablet on it and the accompanying stylus keeps the touchscreen free of grease marks. On offer from Dubaishoppers. com RO7.70
NEW! THE VERTU TI A virtually unbreakable Android smartphone made from strong yet super-light titanium. It has a scratchproof sapphire crystal touchscreen and is available in a choice of designs – from red gold to black leather. Boasts symphonic sound, tuned in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen, with musical punctuation from the London Symphony Orchestra. Features the Vertu Key, providing instant access to curated benefits and services from wherever you are in the world. Think of it as an advanced concierge button with a team of people available to you 24/7 It may cost more than a car but this handcrafted model oozes luxury.
APP OF THE WEEK
Imagine being able to calculate the amount of time a woman has left before she becomes infertile. Imagine no longer because the wonder clock will start counting down how many years, months, hours, minutes and seconds you have left as a potential child bearer. Scary or useful? – you decide. Currently available for iPhone via the Apple Store.
BALL GAME
A world first, this three-inch robotic ball is both strong and smart. It can be controlled with a tilt, swing or touch of your smartphone or tablet. Race or roll Sphero around your home or office with various apps. For more information go to http://www.gosphero.com
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Chrysler 200 Limited / LX Engine: V6 3.6L / l4 2.4 Litre Horsepower: 283 / 173 Torque: 260 / 166 lb-ft Max speed: 240km/hour Transmission: six-speed automatic Starting price (Limited): RO9990
Check this out
Car of the week
The Chrysler 200 offers style, exhilarating driving and safety
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Remote start system Headlamps – bi-function halogen projector Power Express open/close sunroof (optional) Power steering Fuel Tank 16.9 gallon AC dual zone automatic temperature control Power eight-way driving seat Entertainment – six speaker, Boston Acoustics (optional) Media Centre – DVD/MP3/ Radio with Audio Jack. Optional with 6.5-inch touch screen, 40GB hard drive and 20GB available Mini Trip Computer Safety Multi-stage front airbags Supplemental front-sear side airbags Supplemental side-curtain front/ read airbags Tyre pressure monitoring display
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riving the Chrysler 200 is like getting to know a super cool uncle who is exciting, effortlessly stylish and takes you on adventures while always making you feel you are in safe hands. It’s a grown-up car that knows how to handle the road, to accelerate smoothly when overtaking, or slow down with total assurance as you approach a sleeper in the road. From the elegant winged grille down to the retro clock face in the middle of the dash, the 200 exudes timeless executive panache. The entry-level engine is a 2.4-litre fourcylinder that delivers 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. Y was lucky enough to go out in the 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 engine – this is exhilarating driving. When you put your foot down in the 3.6 it almost floats away. With power steering, the 200 offers agile handling and control that provide huge reassurance to driver and passengers. The halogen projector headlamps really add to road visibility. The car oozes class, not in an ostentatious fashion, but with all the style and position of a great American car brand, with lots of nods – both outside and inside – to a golden age of driving. Inside the cabin, one could almost be in
first class on a French TGV, silently sweeping through the countryside. The interior is beautifully crafted and wraps driver and passengers in quality materials and a sense of craftsmanship. It is a great comfort to know that the Chrysler 200 was chosen in January by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its Top Safety Pick+ award in under the mid-size moderately priced cars category. Better still, the 200 includes every available safety feature as standard on all models. The 200 is equipped with multi-stage driver and front passenger airbags, side-curtain air bags and supplementary driver and front passenger seat-mounted air bags. Technology features are useful without being obtrusive. They include keyless entry, superb acoustic entertainment and multimedia system, and a voice-activated hands-free phone that connects with your mobile’s address book via Bluetooth. The eight-way driving seat, once mastered, allows you to adjust your position to maximise comfort. One might think this will all cost a banker’s bonus, but when we saw the starting price – RO9990 – we were pleasantly surprised, and understood why the Chrysler 200 is considered ‘very affordable’ in its class.
Carrera S 2012, 8,500 km, Gold Lime Exterior, Black Interior, 44,000 OMR.
Cayenne S 2008, 101,955 km, Olive Green Exterior, Beige Interior, 19,000 OMR.
Cayman 2008, 30,163 km, Red Exterior, Silver Interior, 13,500 OMR.