Issue - Y-oman.com

Weekly April 13, 2010Issue 117DOMESTICHELP ORVIOLENCE?PORSCHECAYENNETRANSSYBERIAMichèle andMichel HétierThin WomenBeauty and Kitchen SecretsAC Jobim, The Good Life, Polish DisasterMuscat Daily, The Sultan CenterGordon Mackenzie and Darren Shortt(This time they’re really in this issue!)

• Free delivery of insurance policies in the governorate ofMuscat and all the Sultanate provinces (Terms and conditions apply)• Hotline for quality assurance• 24/7 issuing of policies• Documentation to facilitate acquisitions• We handle accident procedures on behalf of customers• The highest level of personalised service and follow-up

Dear Reader,There is an army at work each and every day here in Oman. They build our streets, clean our houses andremove our waste. Typically they come from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia and Pakistan.They work for wages that most of us would baulk at, often saving money and religiously sending it hometo their families.With their low wage comes an attitude of separation; the paymaster stoops down to hand the meagresalary to the man or woman who laboriously slaves away their days, making life easier for some.Maid abuse is rampant in Oman. It is a disgusting violation of human rights and it is happening on aregular basis in every part of town. Having lived for many years in this beautiful country we have witnessedfirst hand the devastation inflicted on many maids, all too excepting of the abuse handed out to them alongwith their pitiable paychecks. There are stories of sexual abuse, starvation, beatings and persecution, andif you go to a busy shopping mall, you have undoubtedly overheard some residents barking viciously attheir maids.An Overseas Workforce Welfare Association exists here in Oman, and we met a few of their ‘long stayingguests’. More needs to be done. Much more. We all have rights, and if you don’t know what your rights areor face abuse in any shape or form, now you can find someone who can help you.Y Team.

This week in8Twentyfour SevenThe Sultan Center, Shoaib Malik, Polish Disaster12Check This OutSound, Movie, X-Mini, That’s Entertainment20Y-rated:DOMESTICHELP ORVIOLENCE34AutoBAHNPorscheCayenneTranssyberia18VentureQurum Natural Park26 SpotlightMichèle and Michel Hétier28 Yin-YangBeing THIN, Beauty and Kitchen Secrets40 X-tra TimeLocal Volleyball, Football42 ChillaxativeCrosswords, Your Stars and Comic ReliefOn this special occasion get your nawras Mousbak welcome packfor 3 Rials onlyWe could not let this day pass without celebrating it with you. Share it with us and getyour nawras Mousbak welcome pack for only 3 Rials and enjoy 2 Rials of FREE creditand 100 FREE SMS*• The included FREE SMS are valid for 30 days• The offer is valid until 14 May 2010thAnniversarynawras MousbakRO 2 free credit100 free SMS* 1 Rial credit and 50 SMS once SIM card is activated and another 1 Rial credit and50 SMS after 30 days6For more information, please visit www.nawras.om or your closest nawras store or call 9501 1500

The Sultan Center gets it rightFresh out of high school, or even freshout of college can be one of the mostchallenging times for young Omanis,especially as good job vacancies forgraduates seem to be getting scarceas each year goes by. But now, slowly,things are beginning to change withthe help of companies like The SultanCenter who are finding intriguing waysto recruit new staff. Last week, TheSultan Center organized a recruitmentopen day unveiling the number ofcareer options available to youngOmanis, something which I believeshould be more widespread aroundMuscat in general.The process was very different to mostcareer fairs I have visited. By shortlistingapplicants for positions withon-the-spot interviews, it provided anexcellent opportunity to all the job seekers who presented their CV’s earlier that morning. For more hesitant visitors,it offered a chance to meet representatives from different divisions at TSC to decide which field would suit thembest, although that day the bulk of vacancies were mainly within TSC Oman management and Retail Operations.To all the big companies in Oman, whether private, governmental or in the much coveted oil and gas industry - getrid of the ‘wasta’ and give Omanis a REAL chance to find work! There are a lot of young talented individuals outthere, so get snappy before it’s too late and The Sultan Centre picks out the cream of the crop. KF8Editor-in-ChiefSayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al BusaidiWork EditorPaul McLoughlinDesign & LayoutJon HueekContributorsPriyanka SachetiTory GarnerPhotographyJerzy WierzbickiEditorial Enquiriesinfo@y-oman.comPublished by SABCO Press,Publishing & Advertising LLCY is a SABCO Media Product.

MUSCAT DAILY BLOWS SCAM WIDEOPEN.This time, it wasn’t the exiled daughter of a recently deceased Nigerian Prince, left clutching a massivepile of black money, desperate to give you a dollop of cash to assist her in banking the money somewherewhere the military coup who overthrew her father, would not have their filthy tentacles writhing deepwithin the bank - of your choice - where the money is to be deposited. Oh gee, if only you could just makethings easier and send her your paypal email account details, then at least she could by a good used copyof ‘Scamming For Dummies’ on eBay.This time, wicked armchair robbers targeted Omanis intent on getting their kids scholarships to the ‘yewess-of-aye’.Simply send US$200 to lodge your application, and be one of the lucky 40, where a worldof scholarship possibilities worth thousands will open up for you, magically! By combining academia, asuperpower and clever marketing, this is an extremely strong scam. If you got duped this time there is noshame on you, but be on your guard next time.The daring scammers even sent out PR to bolster their credibility. What is particularly troubling about thisscam is the fact that several publications here in Oman did their usual trick and printed the scammer’spress release drivel. Verbatim.No surprises there. What could the alternative be? Oh hang on a minute, are we suggesting media shouldactually send someone out to meet the people behind the PR, find a story; an interesting, gripping angleperhaps and then write the information all on their own? That would just rob from valuable facebook,gmail, and twitter time.Congratulations to Richard Thomas and Muscat Daily. Any wonder why he hasn’t sent me a facebookfriend request, he’s too busy toppling international organised crime syndicates! KJHPAKISTANI CRICKETER SAYS “NOFAT CHICKS”News has it that Pakistan’s former cricket captain Shoaib Malik is all set to tie the knotwith India’s tennis court diva Sania Mirza. Now, under normal circumstances that would begreat. In fact that would be fantastic, but there is a slight problem; apparently he’s alreadymarried to a certain ‘Miss Siddiqui’ who claims that the cricketer had courted her and thendumped her because she was overweight.“I can’t believe this girl,” referring to Mirza, “She has seen what happened to my daughter— it was all over the news. Despite this she got involved with this man,” said Farisa,Siddiqui’s mother.However, 23-year-old Mirza is looking forward to her big wedding and her parents shareher sentiments. “My wedding is going to be the biggest day of my life. I have been in themedia glare for too long and would appreciate a little privacy at this personal moment.”Most would agree that there can’t be smoke without fire. Others are hoping this could be anew chapter in mending relations between India and Pakistan. CEDisaster at MassacreSitePoland was in shock this week as President Lech Kaczynskiand many leading political, academic and military figureswere killed in a plane crash on late Saturday morning. Thedelegation was travelling to Smoleksk when the plane crashed,to commemorate the anniversary of the Katyn Massacre whenthousands of Poles were murdered by Soviet Union troops,70 years ago. The plane crashed when attempting to land atSmolensk airport; amongst the thick fog the plane missed therunway and hit a group of trees killing everyone onboard.President Lech Kaczynski was the leader and founder of theright-wing Law and Justice Party along with his identical twinbrother Jaroslaw. The ‘Twins Party’, as the party would alsobe known (or maybe it was just a phrase coined by our Polishphotographer), fought campaigns with a mixture of grittynationalism and extreme conservatism, which saw relationsbetween Poland and Russia sour. Messages of condolencescame in from across the world. Spoczywajcie wspokoju. PM10 11

AL BAWABLadies’ textiles &Readymade garmentsSUPERMighty-MiniSALEConceptualised in Singapore theX-mini has evolved into an audiogadget that is louder, smarter andbetter looking than ever before. TheSoundAntonio BrasileiroAntonio Carlos JobimMultiple Grammy Award winning Brasilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim worked with EllaFitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Elis Regina, Andy Williams, Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto;he brought a revolutionary sound to the world stage with his take on Brasilian Jazz, nowknown as Bossa Nova. In the 1950s and 60s it re-shaped popular music, and has sincebecome a quintessential bone in the skeleton that is jazz today.‘Antonio Brasiliero’ was to be the last album recorded by the legendary composer, whocollapsed just minutes after completing the recording. Sadly Jobim was pronounced deadupon arrival to the hospital, thus ‘Antonio Brasiliero’ was released posthumously andfeatured several new tracks as well as reworked takes of his greatest compositions. Stingappears on a haunting impression of ‘How Insensitive’, which clearly catapulted the albumonto the charts, however, two tracks stand out as excellent examples of Jobim’s uncannyability to layer harmony, play the sweetest melodic phrases utilizing dissonance and space,and scribe lyrics that penetrate one’s heart. His work has always been something thatsomehow summed up the very nature of mankind, and his touching, gentle approach tolatin and jazz has never been replicated by any other musician to date; although many havetried.The album opens with a snappy version of ‘Só Danço Samba’, andsets the tone for the album. It is chirpy and cheerful, but stingingall at the same time. Jobim’s young daughter Maria Luiza Jobimappears on two tracks, one of which is ‘Forever Green’. Thesong talks about the planet and how our actions have far runningconsequences, and is delivered with sweet crispness and child-likeinnocence.Linked to John Coltrane’s famous title by name only, ‘Blue Train(Trem Azul)’ was received well by the mainstream jazz channels, inpart due to its stunning trumpet lines, but also for its lazy behindthe-beatfeel. The entire album is a masterpiece. It is a fittingfarewell to the man and his music, and a ‘must have’ album forthose with critical listening skills. KJHnew and improved X-mini 2 makes upin performance where its predecessorswas lacking. Better sound quality anda sleeker looking design is only part ofits evolution; the X-mini 2 now comeswith an integrated jack attached, aninbuilt volume control, a USB portthat is also the charging port, andit’s battery life is said to be three tofour times longer than the original,approximately 12 hours.One of its coolest features is a 3.5mmjack called the ‘Buddy Jack’ thatallows one the ability to connect toother audio sources – but what betterthan more X-minis, huh? The X-mini 2will set you back about 20 rials but it’sworth checking out! CEEvening dresses&New fabricsShatti Al Qurum 2469 365012 13

QurumNatural ParkSet in the heart of Muscat, Qurum NaturalPark is a well-known attraction in the city, butone which is rarely taken full-advantage of.Although titled as natural this park is actuallya man-made sanctuary, which has donewonders to promote and encourage naturalwildlife and vegetation that now flourishes inan urban area.The park provides a close-at-hand refugefor tired city folk. It’s little wonder why thisEden is close to the heart of many residents inMuscat, with 1,715,449 square meters of lushvegetation, along with a lake and a host ofwildlife living amongst the foliage. This projecthas truly been a revelation within the countryof how to work together with the delicatenatural ecosystem. Let’s hope the same caregoes into other natural sites in Oman, whichappear to be littered with refuse.18 19Photography Jerzy Wierzbicki

KnowyourRightsWords Paul McLoughlin | Photography Jerzy WierzbickiAmelito Adel, the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) officer withthe Philippines Embassy, is frustrated and understandably so. He has spent thewhole day dealing with case after case of the same heart-breaking stories; storiesof servitude and ill-treatment that could have been lifted straight from a Dickensnovel. Lorna is one of these ladies. She now lives with forty other ladies who havealso fled from their employers at the OWWA Centre, a refuge of sorts attached tothe Philippines Embassy. Until their cases are resolved, the embassy area is theirtemporary home. Hunched and timid, Lorna occasionally peers over her thin-framedglasses as she quietly explains how she came to be a resident in the embassy and itis a common story. Lorna was employed by a local family as a domestic worker, withthe promise of 400 dollars a month. She quickly came to realise that the golden lifeshe had hoped for in Oman was to be very different. Upon arrival in the country shewas informed by her employer that she would only be paid 80 rials a month, with nodays off. Speaking of the experience she says, “I didn’t feel human. I was expectedto work all the time and had no break and my salary was never paid on time.”The gruelling days and general ill-treatment wasjust the start of her painful path here in Oman.After being beaten by the “madam” for supposedlystealing food, she lived for a further six months atthe home in constant fear with no knowledge of herrights. The final straw came when her “master”pushed her against the wall for “answering back”and began to slap her. Lorna says, “He said it isgood for me to be beaten because he is betterthan me. He said it’s good for me to kiss his feetbecause I am just a housemaid.” With a black eyeand bruises over her body she fled to the embassy.A complaint was filed against her ex-employer butshe says nothing was done about the problem andnow she is waiting to return to the Philippines,although she does not know when this will be.This power still remains with her ex-employer whostill holds the release paper that Lorna requires inorder to leave the country. She says, “There is stillone girl working there as the babysitter, but she isstronger than me. She can handle being treatedlike this.”It’s stories like Lorna’s which are whispered across dinner tables across Muscat tohummed nods of sympathy, yet little else is done for her. Instead her life is replayedthrough forms and phone calls between her ex-employer, departments in ministriesand other levels of bureaucracy. She is now waiting in limbo in the confined walls ofthe embassy until her case is resolved. There have been frequent complaints fromthe Philippines Embassy about the treatment of domestic workers in the Sultanatefrom many different levels. When I discuss the problem with staff there one wordwhich frequently pops up is “slave” – an extremely strong word, but these are thepeople who deal with dozens of cases of abuse and ill-treatment every week and areprobably more informed of the real situation for domestic workers than anyone elsein the country. Although there have been efforts to help resolve the situation by thegovernment, these measures are usually half-baked or completely ineffective. Thewell-known 400 dollar minimum wage requirement that employers must sign when20 21

ecruiting maids is little more than a formality. It was drafted by the Philippines governmentand thus a regulation that the Sultanate, like the rest of the GCC, is not tied to. Anotherformality in the process of recruitment for household workers is a ‘bill of rights’ that theemployer must read and attach to every contract. However, as the house maids are in noway entitled to view this document then the employees are usually unaware of their rights.Instead, it is left to the employer to inform their ‘hired hand’ of their civil liberties; which isobviously very rarely done. None of the girls I spoke to had seen the document.Although there are vast abuses of workers’ rights from agencies and employers in theSultanate, the real problem comes from an illegal practice of hiring workers from an agencyin the UAE before sending them on to Oman with tourist visas. These girls thus slip throughany veneers of protection they might be entitled to, and as such, they are often withoutlabour cards and are essentially confined to the house as illegal workers. With the girlsstaying in the country on expired tourist visas, they are reluctant to go to the police if theyare abused or mistreated by their employer. Amelito says, “99 percent of the girls here (atthe refuge) were recruited this way. We’ve frequently complained to the Ministry of ForeignAffairs to solve the problem but it is still continuing.” The agency in the UAE treats theemployees as cattle rather than human beings. When a contract expires between a housemaid and a UAE employee the worker is sold on to clients in Oman without going throughthe more vigorous process that agencies here in Oman are subject to. This process is“simply human trafficking and it happens frequently,” Amelito informs me. He adds, “Theyare treated as a commodity and the agency fools these girls to come over here and forcesthem to work.” The effects on the individual who pass through this transfer are huge. Thegirls are sent on to a country which has a very different social structure from the UAE andthus the maids are expected to perform very different roles. “The problem is that in Omanthings are different from in the UAE. Here you have a whole family living in one house andthe worker is expected to do everything and have to work longer hours, often with lowersalaries.”As with other parts of the GCC, abuse is frequent and takes many different forms. Manyof the girls I spoke to at the refuge fled their employers because of physical abuse. Onegirl who had only been at the refuge for a few days would not explain why she fled, but thescratch marks on her chest were undoubtedly a factor in this. Another girl tells me that shewas encouraged by her employer on a daily basis to sleep with him, while the wife told herthat she must do whatever the ‘master’ says. “Sexual abuse is a regular complaint with thegirls. When the wife leaves the house, many complain that the men walk around the housenaked, and many girls are raped. With rape, it is hard to file a complaint because the lawsays you need witnesses,” he says. “They are usually treated like slaves by their employersas they believe that because they paid money for them, they own them.”Cases where physical or sexual abuse are evident are usually resolved swiftly, with theemployer passing on the necessary documents to ensure the girls go back to the Philippinesas quickly as possible so the slim danger of being taken to court never materialises. Forothers, the process of leaving the country is usually a long drawn out affair, with somegirls living for over a year in the embassy until their cases are decided. “The employerspaid money to have the girls come to Oman, so usually they want to get it back from theagency before they sign the papers to release the girls. When the case goes to court thenthey (the employer) simply don’t turn up and the hearing is postponed for another week,”Amelito says.“I didn’t feel human. I was expectedto work all the time and had no breakand my salary was paid late.”22 23

Another worker at the refuge centre reiterates this frustrating problem, saying,“They are just after the money from their agency so they will keep the girls inthe country until they get their registration fees back. It’s very common. Othertimes, when there are complaints of abuse, then they try to take revenge onthe girls by not signing the release papers. One of the girls has been here fortwo years because of this.” But the girls, who live crammed into the centre,could be said to be the lucky ones in some respects. Although there are plentyof homes across Oman where hired helpers are treated well and are seen aspart of the family, the number of girls at the refuge is living proof that abuse inthe country is common. These girls were fortunate enough to be situated in thecapital where the Philippines Embassy is just a taxi ride away. In other citiesoutside Muscat, things are bleak. These girls are often completely cut off fromany assistance that the Philippines Embassy may offer, and as their employerswill frequently ‘hold’ their passport, the prospect of travelling to the capitalmeans arrest by the police, and would likely bring further problems for theladies. Lorna, however, is relieved to be at the embassy, and looks forward tothe day when she can see her daughter and husband again, who wait for her athome. The gamble she took of moving to Oman to help support her family wasill-judged, but now she says she knows she will be happier in the Philippinesand has no intention of returning to Oman to work. “I’m happy now, I’m free. Ineed to wait for the final decision (from the employer) but I want to go home assoon as possible.” Until then, she is a hostage of a situation, which can only beresolved by the very employer she ran away from. And so it goes for countlessothers who live their days in fear and hardship, unsure and unknowing that helpis out there.*Names have been changed to protect the identity of our sources and the victimsin this story.Celebrate the biggestsportingevent of the year,the World Cup 2010!2010WORLD CUPWith exciting packages and out of the box concepts exclusivelyavailable to advertisers in the lead up to and during the World Cup,there is only one place to advertise – Oman’s No.1 Arabic RadioStation, Al Wisal 96.5 FM.Interactive fun: catch team reviews, statistics,interesting and historical World Cup facts,player profiles, match reviews, expert opinions,live match updates and exhilarating contests throughout the competition.Every day we plan to deliver live broadcasts from an outdoor locationthroughout this year’s World Cup.To make your business or branda part of this exciting sporting event,call 95213406 or email advertise@wisal.fm

Vive Le OmanWords Karima Farid | Photography Jerzy WierzbickiThe golden sands, the azure sea, the cobalt skies and the earthy brown jebels, This book will be the new edition of a pictorial work entitledthe beauty of Oman is evident all around and it will come as no surprise that it “Regards Oman” to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of thehas become a source of inspiration for many an artist. As an Omani, I am prone HM Sultan Qaboos’ ascencion to power; an artistic pieceto forget about the many striking scenes of beauty all around me, but I know I with patriotic undertones. Michel recalls that the first pictuream not the only one to take this country’s beauty for granted. Even such amazing that made him say “wow” was a photograph that he tookscenery as we enjoy here in Oman becomes just ‘part of the background’ for those during his military service back in 1958 in the desert, so itof us who witness it on a daily basis. For one lovely French couple who have been is little wonder that he enjoys capturing the Omani desertvisiting Oman for the past 17 years, perhaps they could say that they are more today in all its simple, rustic glory. He explains that thein tune with the beauty of Oman than the average citizen or resident. Not only freedom and landscapes that the desert offers means it isthis, but their shared artistic talents have enabled them to capture, interpret and like a dream to him both day and night of his expeditionsexpress this beauty through the medium of art, with breathtaking results. into these sandy planes.Michele began working as a journalist almost 45 years ago, writing articles on Since 1967, Michèle and Michel Hétier have been exploringtourism for an array of magazines. The writer has delved into the subjects of the world together and expressing these shared experiences,economy and history too, giving her a grasp of the workings of the countries she he through his lens and she by the pen. This culminated in thehas visited, so not only can she please her aesthetic senses but also explain the pair deciding to start their own publishing company twentyworkings of these countries. When she met Michel she knew she had not only years ago named Regards, a name which works perfectly infound her soul mate, but also a working partner, and since then they have been both English and French. Their first visit to the region wasinseparable, he as a photographer and she as a writer.in fact to the UAE, but their visit to the Sultanate ensuredthat it would be Oman that would enjoy the bulk of theirMichel’s foray into photography began a very long time ago. He expresses, “My holiday time. With such experience of Oman, coming backwife and I, we like discovering the Middle East together and now for the past 17 to the Sultanate is just like going home for them. They bothyears we have been coming to Oman for a month, twice a year. Our current project articulate, “People here seem oblivious to how beautiful theiris to work on a book for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, and it will contain pictures of own country is. The landscapes are just perfect and whenwhat we have seen throughout our visits. This will happen in November 2010.” we land here, we feel right at home. We stay with friendsthat we came to know throughout the years.”So far, they have produced several books about Oman, acouple of general books about the country and separateworks covering Dhofar, Sharqiyah and Batinah, which areavailable at the Family Book Shop. They have begun toexplore a new region with their latest book which will becompleted by the end of the year and launched in 2011 -a book that tells us all about Musandam. This tribute tothe regions of the nation is a cultural exchange for them,and they seem to have also seen many changes in Omanthroughout their years of visits. Michel says that it is wellbalanced, and that the people of this country are happy withthe pace at which they are passing through this transitionalperiod. Michele is impressed by the respect the citizens hereshow His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. She says, “I have seenlocals prepare rose petals for celebration times, they do it inthe most unique ways and it is admirable. A touch of cultureis seen everywhere, just like traditional architecture. Alsothe role of a woman has been growing rapidly. I just lovethis place.”Apart from being prestigious photographers and passionatewriters on an individual level, they decided that they wantedto unify these talents to create something truly unique.Michel explains that he has around 350 model horses, whichvary from the small ivory casts that his wife gave to him toa colossal 50kg wooden horse. He is planning to prepare abook about horses and different forms of art from aroundthe world. Michele is also planning to write a novel one day,something that will reflect a woman or perhaps the historyof her own family. But of course she needs time and quietto do this - perhaps an extended stay in Oman could provideher with the tranquillity she needs?In the meantime, Michel will showcase his creative prowess in a joint exhibitionentitled “Colours of Oman” at Bait al-Baranda with the talented artist AgnesClouet. Agnes is a soft-spoken artist, but with a raging, deeper passion that youcan only experience through viewing her paintings. Born and raised in France, shegrew up to learn anything and everything about art and has been painting nonstopsince she was a little girl. Once she was married Agnes began to explorethe world, but wherever she went she took up painting with a passionate furore,learning through art courses, which have kept her on top of her game ever since.She never thought that the dynamics of abstract art was something that she couldpersonally achieve. Although she has always enjoyed painting portraits and wasused to classical formations, she soon realized that abstract art was the artisticform that expressed her best.It was this art form which coupled up so nicely with Michel’s photography. WithAgnes, painting is simply an emotion, and a reflection of what she is feeling orviewing at any particular moment. Agnes never goes into art with a clearly thoughtout plan, on the contrary, it can sometimes take her two hours to finish a painting,and at other times it would take her three full months! It really depends on herwhen she has to stop, “I begin with a plain canvas, a few colours and brushes. Bythe end of it I end up using any object that can give me the greatest satisfaction Ineed to finish up the painting- even a toothbrush. I follow my instinct, and whenI am done, I know that I am done.”A delving beauty that can only be tasted with the eyes, her paintings representmany different aspects of her life; many others even represent the beauty andthe colours of Oman. She hopes to come back again as soon as possible, as sheadmits that there is plenty more to discover about Oman. But the photographer,the writer and the painter all have one goal with this particular visit to the country;it is to show us the beauty of Oman through the visuals they have created.26 27

CAN YOU EVERBE THIN ENOUGH?Priyanka SachetiA few weeks ago, I found myself participating in abody-shape evaluation at the behest of a particularorganization here in Muscat; honestly speaking, I wentin without any particular expectations, filled with onlycuriosity instead as to what the evaluation wouldreveal. What I learnt was that while I happened to beten kilograms underweight for my particular Body MassIndex (BMI), the fat in my body was rather unequallydistributed and that my body-shape consequentlyneeded corrective toning. Or so the body-shapeevaluation chart unequivocally seemed to think.The matter of thinness is subject to individual perceptionand interpretation. What you see when looking atyourself in the mirror is entirely different to how othersmay perceive you. If the camera seemingly adds poundsto your figure, it also appears that the mirror (or at least,the one that you happen to be facing) is hell bent ondoing the same.What women are conditioned to believe is an ideal bodyshapevis-a-vis a healthy body-shape; this has becomean even more contentious debate in a world dominatedby information-overload, continually publishing andbroadcasting images of what constitutes the universalnotion of ideally-figured women, and digitally-alteredby the tools of technology. Can you ever be thin enoughin this world?What was considered to be an ideal women’s bodyshape has itself undergone change over history; duringthe eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, an hour-glassshaped figure was en vogue while post-WW1, a thinner,scrawnier figure became much more fashionable;the fifties of the last century witnessed healthierproportions, although the advent of the supermodel,Twiggy (the name itself is reflective enough) during theseventies signaled an era in which the desired bodyshapebecame thinner and thinner until it virtuallybordered on being waif-like in the nineties and presentcenturynoughties.The fashion industry, including fashion designersand fashion magazine editors, have always bornethe brunt of charges accusing them of encouragingand endorsing extremely unhealthy women’sfigures. While it is understandable that the model isultimately but a medium to showcase the garment,is it necessary to virtually obliterate the model’sphysical personality in order to do so?Glamor magazine’s US Edition last summerpublished a plus-size model picture in its magazineand attracted much attention; Elle magazine’s Frenchedition recently featured fuller-figured modelson its cover. Yet, both magazines’ actions wereconsidered as mere gestures, rather than accuratereflectors of the fashion industry’s inclination toaccept plus-size models into its fold. While there isan emerging awareness of the necessity of ensuringthat models have healthier proportions, how manyfashion moguls or editors are willing to or actuallydo support this particular trend through their showsand editorials?Research has shown thatbody-image issues originatefrom early childhood itself;what with being constantlybombarded with images ofunrealistically thin bodiesin media, girls begin toassociate thinner figures withmore positive and notably,successful connotations. Forexample, last November,supermodel Kate Moss stirredmuch controversy with herstatement, “Nothing tastesas good as skinny feels.” Idolised as much for herfashion sense as for her skinny figure by legionsof teenage girls worldwide, it was widely felt thatMoss should have weighed her words much morecarefully on the issue.Whatever the age or stage in life, women findthemselves forever attempting to achieve that bodyshapeideal. In the age of celebrity yummy mummies,women who have just given birth find themselvesfacing tremendous pressure to swiftly lose weight; ie,to jettison the mummy tummy and become a yummymummy instead, perfectly coiffed and dressed with amade-to-order figure to match. Being a mother doesnot exempt you from the scourge of possessing anundesirable figure; in fact, having temporarily lostyour shape is more than enough of an indicator toregain it lest it seemingly never returns – and woebetide that eventuality!Yet, celebrity mummy and distinguished actress, KateWinslet, has always conspicuously stood out for herrefusal to buck the weight trend. She vehementlyprotested in 2003 when leading UK men’s magazine,GQ, admitted to having digitally altered Winslet’scover image without the actress’ knowledge; ironicallyenough, she had been championing the cause offuller-figured women in that particular issue itself.And in fact, as recently as last December, she wasvoted the celebrity body that most British womenwould wish to have in a British survey, indicating apositive body-shape role model for women.It may seem an ever-present struggle to reconcile thefigure in one’s mirror with that of a more desirableone; ultimately, it lies within the individual to drawthe line between the two.

Tory GarnerBeautiful SpringSpring is here and we thought we’d give you a few tipson how to embrace the hotter season with a fresh new look.MUSTHAVESBare Escentuals introduces ‘bareMinerals SPF25 Mineral Veil’. We love it, as it gives youthat perfect airbrushed finish with added sunprotection. It’s the perfect companion toeliminate shine and minimize pores.XL Alice hair bands are anothermust have this season. For a greatlook, add a little volume to your hairusing a round brush to blow and hairspray to finish.Crackfree andsmoothbeautifullips can beachievednaturally byusing oliveoil. Simplymassagelips with theoil, let it setfor a minuteand carefullyremove with asoft tissue.Ponytails area seasonalfavourite, butnot looseand easy!This springthe look issleek andtight, featuringgel for anextra smoothlook from rootto tip. For addedelegance, use astrain of hair, wraparound the hair bandand pin with clips.Fruity lips are the wayto go this spring /summer. Try using glossylip colours featuringmandarin, orange andraspberry.Highlightsliven up curlsand addstructureto straighthair. Fora naturalsun-kissedlook,add onlya fewhighlightsaroundyour face.‘Color Fever Gloss Col. OrangeScopitone’ by Lancôme and‘Luminizing Lip Gloss Col. Pop Life’by ShiseidoWe featuredsparklingeffects a fewweeks ago, butas this trendis sure to stay,we recommendusing a glosspen for greateyes. Add tothe centreof the lid aswell as underbrows.Purple is the colour this season.Try adding a little to your lid for afresh spring look. ‘Color AppealChrome Intensity No 180’ byL’Oréal Paris.For an irresistible young and plumpfresh skin look, try ‘Bio-PerformanceSuper Corrective Serum’ by Shiseido;‘Capture Total One Essential’ by Dior;‘Skin Vivo Reversives Anti-AgingSerum’ by Biotherm.c‘Le Khôl Gloss’ by LancômePastel eye shadowwill never giveyou the sametone on your lidas you see in thebox. The reasonis that the lid is adarker shade thanyour actual skintone. To even outthe tone, try ‘EyeBase’ by BeYu.We adore theHARAJUKU LOVERSfragrances,inspired bygirls fromthe Harajukushopping districtin Tokyo. There’sone to suit eachpersonalitytype. The setis a seriouscollectors item.‘Flora Eau de Parfum’ is the latest perfumelaunched by Gucci. This scent is an expression of theiconic flora line for the young and natural yet elegant andsophisticated woman. Top notes include rose, sandalwood,pink pepper and Osmanthus flower.G is the leader of thepack. Her scent isoriental and fruityfeaturing jasmine andcoconut.Lil’ Angel iscaring but notexactly an angel.Her notes includepineapple,raspberry androse.Baby is cute andshe knows it. Hertop notes includeorange flower,white musk, andwhite rose.A GIANT LEAP IN FASHIONABLE FOOTWEARMusic is entertaining and honest. Her scent featuresclementine, jasmine and pear.For someone like me who is always on the run either shopping with friends,running errands for my family or driving at least an hour to work every day(on a very good day without traffic that is) I am always on the lookout forcomfortable, and if possible, stylish shoes. When I discovered ‘fitflops’ Iknew that I had found my ideal footwear. The beauty of fitflops is thatnot only do they increase muscle activity but they also ‘avoid excessivemuscle exertion’ giving you the most sleek and comfortable footwearavailable on the market.To give you an insight into the technicalities, Dr David Cook, asenior lecturing Biomechanist, explains; “The microwobbleboardtechnology increases activity in the muscles involved in walking byapproximately 10% when compared to a normal pair of athleticfootwear.”The shoes are available in an assortment of different colours anddesigns. They improve posture, mimic barefoot walking, improvemuscle tone and are ideal for those who suffer from back and legpain.I give the makers of fitflops two thumbs up for making wonderfulfootwear!Love is sweet andcaring. Her scentfeatures rose andvanilla.

KitchenSECRETS Tory GarnerRoast shoulder oflamb with lemon(serves 4-6)For the stuffing2 garlic cloves, crushed2 tbsp parsley, roughly chopped1 tbsp coriander, chopped1 tbsp grated lemon rind1 tbsp salted capers, rinsed60g soft fresh breadcrumbs25g ground almonds2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil1 tbsp lemon juiceSea salt and pepper2kg shoulder of lamb, boned3 tbsp oil1 tbsp harissa paste*1 lemonString for tyingTo make the stuffing, combine the garlic, parsley, coriander, lemon,capers, breadcrumbs and almonds. Add extra virgin olive oil, lemonjuice, salt and pepper. Combine well using your hands.Place the lamb on a flat clean surface, add the stuffing and roll upfirmly. Tie securely using string.Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan andbrown the lamb on all sides, then transfer to a roasting tin.Season well and bake for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 180degrees Celsius and bake for a further 50 – 60 minutes or until tenderand We still love pink. the Remove Throwzini from 6-Piece oven and let the roast rest for 15 minutes.Knife Set with Block. It’sThin available the harissa at www.amazon.comwith 2 tbsp olive oil or pan juices. Cut the lamb intoslices, for drizzle RO 23 but with only harissa within and the serve with lemon wedges.US, so we suggest you order viaAramex.*harissa paste is a North African hot chilli sauce made from Piri Piri chilli.

autoBAHNWords Kiran Jay Haslam | Photography Jerzy WierzbickiPorsche’sTranssyberianExpress.The TransSyberia Rally was regarded by many as the mostchallenging off-road race on the planet. With its route constantlyevolving, in 2008 participants of this great rally made their way fromMoscow, blazing across a 6600km trail through Russia and over theUral Mountains to the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.With a scorching desert, gail force winds, subarctic forests andextremely rugged terrain, the rally was not for the faint hearted. Soperhaps there was no better place to bear in mind whilst developingan off-road rally-race Porsche based on the naturally aspiratedCayenne S, that would not only claim triple victories two yearsconsecutively, but capture the hearts of car enthusiasts the worldover.The good folks at the PorscheCentre Oman – SATA offeredus a very special test-drive, inresponse to my claim that theharsh climate of Oman is theperfect proving ground forthe 2010 Porsche Cayenne STranssyberia. With brutal rockformations twisting mountainsinto cavernous wadis, soaringtemperatures and powderydunes, the backdrop was aptto replicate the harshnessof Mongolia’s final stage inthe torturous TransSyberianRally. Boasting 405hp and athundering 500Nm of torque,this road use ‘rally special’is more than just a cosmetichomage to the vehicles usedin competition. Power andspeed are coupled with safety,reliability, and tractability.34 35

Visually the Cayenne S Tanssyberia isstriking. Drawing from racing tradition,contrasting colours have been usedto highlight the wing mirrors, intakeblades, spoilers, wheels and side logos.The vehicle’s appearance matchesits sporting promise with stainlesssteel skid plates and roof-mountedspotlights resulting in an aggressivestance. Our Crystal Silver Metallicspecimen with orange highlightswas priced just under RO 40,000 andturned heads as we powered down theback roads of Barka. Our destinationwas a special area in the foothills of theAl-Hajr mountains offering a myriad oftroubling obstacles, flowing riverbeds(wadis) and a pedigree goat farm, too.The cabin is superb. It is a really niceplace to be. Trimmed in Alcantaraleather, the steering wheel offerscomfort and grip, and the seat inserts,rooflining, window pillars, and sunvisors are tailored from the same ultrasoft and luxurious material. Sumptuousblack leather adorns everythingelse and orange trim highlights thestylish interior. The dials and gaugesdown under stifling safety controls. Thesystem has evolved dynamically andis now better and stronger than everbefore.are all colour coordinated, so too isthe stitching on the wheel. Everycreature comfort is on hand with astellar multimedia system, care ofBose, and an in-dash SIM card slot foryour mobile phone. It is easy to use,intuitive and the acoustic packagein the cabin shines with concert hallclarity.This more than capable off-roaderweighs 2.5 tonnes but you wouldnever guess it. The chassis is taughtand rigidity is high. The intentional lackof a sunroof makes a huge differencehere, and to be frank, with 50+ degreesCelsius the everyday norm in summer, Idon’t see the need for one in any luxurycar in Oman. In a style and flair thatThere is an indicator line on thesteering wheel so you know where‘top-dead-centre’ is, should you getwickedly crossed up - which can onlyhappen with the PSM switched off.PSM (also known as ‘Please Save Me’) isPorsche’s answer to maximum traction,whilst also allowing the car not to bogonly Porsche’s R&D centre in Weissachseems capable of, function meets designamidst a sea of quality, prestige andperformance. There is a pronouncedsportiness to this Cayenne S special, overand above the standard model, due tothe 62 percent split to the rear wheels,air suspension and Porsche’s ActiveSuspension Management.Whilst at first I questioned just howdifferent the Transsyberia could be overthe standard S, I now no longer do. It feelsmuch more aggressive on the road, andin-gear acceleration is stunning. 120km/hto the ‘two-oh-oh’ mark is an exhilaratingflash – 2 seconds quicker than thestandard Cayenne S. The 4.8-litre V8has received a 20hp Botox jab in theform of a DFI VarioCam Plus engine that37

previously graced the engine bayof the GTS variant. With 405hp at6500rpm and 500Nm of torquekicking in at 3500rpm, 6.1 secondsis all it takes to hit 100km/h. Hustleit does.The GTS’ shorter final-drive ratioalso makes a huge difference, andmammoth 6-piston callipers upfront, and 4-piston callipers at therear clamp down on enormousdiscs with the force and bite ofThylacoleo carnifex. For those ofyou who don’t know this beast byname, I am referring to a 25 millionyear-old marsupial lion that livedin Australia during the Ice Age,with the strongest jaws of anyliving or extinct carnivore in thehistory of our planet. There are alimited number of Transsyberia specCayennes in Oman, so eventuallythey may be as rare as ole’ carniflex,too!Off-road prowess is furtherenhanced by the excellent clearancethe car offers, so you can wadein water 555mm deep and attackboulders with conviction. The airsuspension is adjusted electronicallyby the flick of a switch and heightranges from a ‘low level loading’setting to a ‘special terrain’ offroadsetting. In the latter mode Inavigated over a great crevasseriddled with boulders and soft sand.Even though our test car was ridingon performance tyres and optional21” alloys, the Transsyberia clearlydemonstrated dexterity on ruggedterrain.Sure the Cayenne S, and particularlyin this guise, is a fast car, however,it is startling that Porsche havemated exceptional on-roadperformance and supreme handlingwith a more than competentoff-road vehicle. Many originallythought that the Cayenne was abottom line vehicle that wouldultimately rob Porsche of its racingpedigree, performance advantage,and high build quality notoriety -something that almost every othercarmaker out there is still playingcatch-up to. Having driven everymodel year Cayenne S to date, aswell as the GTS, Turbo and TurboS, this special edition Cayenne S isso much more than just a glorified,tarted up Cayenne S. I absolutelyadore this car.The term ‘emergence’ is usedto describe the way complexsystems and patterns arise outof a multiplicity of relativelysimple interactions. It is in effecta term coined by scientists andphilosophers perplexed by howsomething can appear to be greaterthan the sum of its parts. Sure, the2010 Transsyberia Cayenne S wouldmake a great case study for somenerd studying integrative levels andcomplex systems, but for the rest ofus it is a fine example of stunningdesign, luxury and ‘must have’performance all rolled into onestellar vehicle.38 39

GAMEONAnother spectacular gamemissed by spectatorsAl Wahda and Wajees fought it out this weekend at the Sultan Qaboos SportsComplex on April 9th and I must say, even though it was an empty stadium, itwas by far more exciting than most international football matches that I haveattended. It shocks me though, that more spectators don’t turn up for thesedomestic matches. Could it be because people are unaware they are takingplace? I believe so.Words and Photography Clint Derric EgbertTwo Giants Lock HornsAfter several unsuccessful attempts to clinch the Oman Volleyball Association League title,consistency finally paid off for Saham Club who outplayed Seeb Club at a packed SultanQaboos Sports Complex on April 5th.‘‘It was quite difficult to defeat Seeb Club as they have some very talented national playersin their squad but we had an aggressive approach right from the start and thus could makeit finally. I’m really happy that our team won the maiden title, especially after entering thefinal on seven occasions in the past,’’ said an ecstatic Saham coach Hilal al Jabri after thematch.I could sense a great game in store as soon as the whistle sounded for kick off,both teams took turns to fire out thunderous attacks on the opposing goals.Aggressive and determined goalkeepers managed to prevent the ball fromcrossing the goal line for the first half of the game, and half time ended with bothteams at nil. As for the second half of the game – now that was a completelydifferent story.Within seconds of the game resuming, Wajees scored the first goal of the match.Ten minutes later, Al Wahda hit back with a blistering goal to tie the score 1-1. Thatgoal marked the end of the Wajees attack for the evening and the beginning of AlWahda dominance. Goal two and three flew in just as quickly leaving Wajees twogoals down, helpless and frustrated as the final whistle shrilled in the distance.Al Wahda cruised to a well-deserved 3-1 victory. All in all a great match, but onceagain, one that could have done with a much bigger audience in attendance.Saham were successful at lifting the crown but the journey was anything but easy. Playingagainst a team like Seeb is a battle, one that they appeared prepared for. Armed with someof the deadliest Spikers in the Middle East, the two sides locked horns for a finale that feltevery bit like a tournament final; with cheers bellowing from the stands and adrenaline inthe air.The score board see-sawed dramatically from one side to the other; at times Saham in thelead, the next minute Seeb took the reins. It was hard to tell who was on top of the gameuntil the final whistle blew.With the first set going to Saham 25-23, Seeb decided on a comeback, successfullygrabbing the second set 25-22 to tie the score. Saham however, determined to win theirfirst title in the league, took the third and final set 25-22 and 25-23 respectively.“Our level of play was almost equal but somehow things did notclick for us. Also, because of the pressure of playing in the final,some of the players could not perform well,” said a thwarted Nasr alMiqbali, Coach of Seeb Club.All the ingredients that make for a great championship were ondisplay at this face-off between Saham and Seeb. As for third place,Sohar Club conveniently soared into the position thanks to the latearrival of Bashayir Club who were left with no choice but to forfeitthe match. Next year looks to be equally as thrilling as this year’sclimax, a tournament I personally cannot wait for.41

CHORTLEKFWS • MindGymFebruary 8, 2010SUDOKUPlace a number in the empty boxes in such a way thateach row across, each column down and each small9-box square contains all of the numbers from one tonine.Go FigureThe idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures givenat the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagramby following the arithmetic signs in the order they aregiven (that is, form left to right and top to bottom). Useonly the numbers below the diagram to complete itsblank squares and use each of the nine numbers onlyonce.—1—42 43

HOROSCOPE SAmira K.CAPRICORNDecember 22 – January 19PISCESFebruary 19 – March 20ARIESMarch 21 – April 19It’s that time of the month wheresomeone is going to depend on youstrongly, most likely to be a friendor a family member. Make sure to bethere, your support will be greatlyappreciated.AQUARIUSJanuary 20 – February 18Don’t let others put you down.There is a chance of making realprogress in your personal andprofessional career, if only if youignore the put-downs of others andlisten to what is in your heart. Thiswill lead to a completely new andvigorous regime in which you putyourself above others- at last!What happened to your New Year’sResolutions? Sorry to be harshPisces, but year after year you makepromises of big changes in your lifebut once again you have failed tolive up to them. You will learn thatto improve you must be strong, andthat can only come with effort.There are issues that need to bedealt with straight away, beforethey spiral out of control. Being atypical Aries, you are prone to leavethings to the last minute, whichresults in half-hearted efforts toresolve testing issues in your life.Write down everything that troublesyou, bite the bullet and solve theseproblems before it is too late.TAURUSApril 20 – May 20GEMINIMay 21 – June 20CANCERJune 21 – July 22LEOJuly 23 – August 22Remember that luck is simply aword that successful people useto disguise their hard efforts inachieving their goals- but this secretis now out in the open. You oftencomplain about having ‘no luck’, butnow you know that it is up to yourown level of effort and disciplineto achieve the goals you always setout to.VIRGOAugust 23 – September 22The way you view yourself is howothers will see you too, and at themoment your reputation has tool abit of a pounding. This is often thecase with introvert and humanitarianindividuals like yourself, who oftenput the needs of others ahead ofyour own, with a tendency to broodover troubling issues, but now youneed to understand that respectfrom others is vital to success.KFWS • MindGymFebruary 8, 2010Although the majority of friendsthink they know you, there are stilla lot of things which you have keptback from them. Now is the chanceto make a fresh start with friendsas many have seen you as grumpyand uncooperative for some time. Ifonly they understood the reasonswhy then they would begin tounderstand, so be brave and shareyour thoughts.LIBRASeptember 23 – October 22You aren’t really all that sure aboutwhat is going on, but things willget a bit more interesting towardsthe end of the weekend. Expect asurprise or two after a heroic actthat you showed earlier this year.You deserve nothing but the best.It’s going to be difficult lettinggo, but there comes a time ineverybody’s life where that is theonly option. Don’t let a burden fromthe past weigh you down. Talk tosomeone close, it will make thingseasier.SCORPIOOctober 23 – November 21KFWS • MindGymMarch 1, 2010It’s time to wake up to newopportunities. Your creativeflare is about to guide you tobetter pastures. Don’t waste theopportunity given to you. Hopon and enjoy the ride, becausealthough it may be rocky, it’sbound to lead somewhere.Family issues should be at theforefront of your plans at presentare they are matters which youhave been neglecting for sometime. This is understandable Leo,constraints in your life due to abusy work schedule means thatyou have had to forget about othercommitments. There should be aquiet time, so use this to improverelations with your family.SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 – December 21What you plan for the week is likelyto end up being very different, asyou will be inundated by calls thatcarry both good and bad news.Good news, you will have plenty ofadmirers and fans vying for yourattention. Bad news, colleagues willbe expecting you to be on call 24/7.CRAIC ATTACK with Maz JobraniThe Sultan Centre Raffle Draw44SOLUTIONSCROSSWORDSUDOKUGO FIGUREKFWS • MindGymMarch 1, 2010

2=2+200CMYCMMYCYCMYKDownload your FREE copy at www.y-oman.comNOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA, ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR!Buy your Mazoon Mobile starter kit forRO 2 and get RO 2 free credit + free 200 sms*.And that not it, you also get great discountson international calling rates made to your2 favourite numbers**.Offer valid for a limited period.* Credit alotted at OR 1 per month over2 months and sms alloted at 50 each for thefirst 2 months and 100 for the third month(including 50 free sms from Mazoon to Mazoon)** Rates valid for calls made between 8pm and6am after the second minute.Starter kits are available at:• ABT outlets at City Centre, Seeb & Qurum • Safeer Hypermarket, Azaiba • Wholesale Centre, Al Khoudh • Ruwi High Street • Safeer Centre,Barka • Makkah Hypermarket, Ibri & Tharmad • Thaibat Hypermarket, Musanna • Al Kawther Shopping, Suwaiq & Rustaq • AlkaramaHypermarket, Suwaiq • Safeer Mall, Sohar • Sur Souq • Salalah Alkhoaf, Salalah South • All Lulu Hypermarket Branch • Oman Oil (Ahlain) •Shell (Select) • Mars Market, Ghubra • Maalem Musanaa, North Al Hail & Musanaa • Genetco and other authorised dealers.

١٠٠٪ طبيعي وشهي100% Natural & Tasty