It has been awhile since my last note. The reason being, that the dutch are back at what they are good
at. Invading. It was a positive invasion though, and welcomed with
open arms. If only all invasion in
history was done like this, the world would have been a nicer place and we
would not have to have set up a dead organisation that pays exhorbitant
amounts in salaries to absolutely inefficient and useless employees working at the United Nations to keep us from fighting. Yes. Opa, Oma and Aunty Maraija were in
Muscat paying us a visit. A wonderful time it was for all 6 of us (ie. counting ET as an entity. Why not?)
We pick them from the airport, on the 7th at 10pm or so. A
little late for ET. But knowing that the future for ET is going to be one of
hopping from planet to planet this was a good start. The usual greetings and niceties were done
with and everyone was happy. As usual, a suitcase loaded with things for ET
from them and others. They were playing
the mailman role too. Little shirts,
bibs, things to put on the head, and all that.
Ingrid is happy that all are here. And I am happy to see all smiles around.
That must make ET happy too. So it is
all in good timing.
The next day we all
sit at D'Arcy's Kitchen for breakfast. D'Arcy's Kitchen is this cafe cum restaurant at Jawharat Al Shattti in Shatti Al Qurum. Jawharat Al Shatti has this boulevard (so most like to think!) that one must be seen at. That is if you are anybody in Muscat. As for D'Arcy's Kitchen I am not even sure what they want to be. It seems to be mishmash of American country style dressing that wants to be a french kitchen in Mustcat. Still, their food is tasty and they do attract a decent crowd. Without a doubt, it is a lovely place to have breakfast at during the cooler months. As of now, in my opinion, it is a little
too hot to sit out and have breakfast. 33 degrees! Still, by way of a vote, a resounding victory for
those that want to sweat in their pants won!
The girl who served us was a philipino who sounded like a constipated cat.
Yes she did. Irritating, annoying, loud and in your face. I guess loud is
normal for the dutch people. Yes, they
are a rather loud lot. I used to always thinks that we tamils always were the
loudest on this planet. It is like, the one that is
loudest is heard the best and also taken to be the one that knows. Long years ago, I realized that it was far
from that. The silent one are usually the smarter ones. And then I kind of learned some etiquettes of
socializing. All was well! And then I
landed in Dutchland. I am sure they will
give the tamils a run for their money.
Anyway, what worries me most at times like this is, will ET also end up
being a source of cacophony! Afterall, I
am tamil and I do raise my voice…
Back to
the philipino waitress. Besides being
loud, her voice had the frequency that makes your teeth tingle. You know what I
mean? We placed our order and food was
brought. A sumptuous meal it was. Since, I had to go back to office ET and
Ingrid stayed back to catch up on all the lost news. After that, the entire gang was home. They were on a light diet of salads and all
those colourful stuff that I sometime detest. Vegetables!
But, Ingrid knew and got me some lovely Kidney Steak Pies. Of course, all enjoyed it.
The coming weekend it was a trip to Nizwa. This is ET’s 2nd trip to
Nizwa. I am beginning to get a bit
nervous at the sound of that city. Yes, we have been on cultural tours to Nizwa
to see the locals selling their goats for someone else's supper. And then trips
to forts. They are nice. Period. As for art and craftsmanship they are...well, I am trying to find a politically correct word for Zero! That is my view. Plain characterless
structures that they used to pour down hot date syrup on their enemies. And they are not even old. Just 350 years and
they call it historical sites. The house
I live in Sweden in that old. Does not fascinate me one bit.
These are the kind of blaces that you see,
local guides who cannot seem to bronounce the ‘p’s. Everything that begins with a ‘p’ is bronounced
with a ‘b’. And you see the tourist going, ‘ah’ and ‘oh’ and ‘that is amazing’
and ‘how interesting’ kind of talk.
Still, the forts and the Nizwa is worth a trip. Once! And then maybe do something more interesting
and challenging, like darning a sock!
Having said all that, if the whole thing is looked as a learning curve it was a great success in getting to know the ‘in-laws’. We were back in Muscat, at the end of the weekend. And yesterday was lunch at the Intercontinental. I am never tired of eating, I love it. And hope ET will follow my heart on that.
As for ET, I am sure all is well, wonderful grandparents, aunts, cousins
and relations…Fortunate being!
Last night they all left. Back to Netherlands and we are here…but wait,
we have the doctors appointment tomorrow, so now I am busy with that, listing
my questions and querries etc. That means I will be writing again tomorrow.
Until then…bye
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