Matalan to open in Muscat

Now that Marks & Spencer moved out of Markaz al Bahja, I haven’t really had any need to visit the mall, but will that change when Matalan – think Primark meets BHS – moves into M&S’ old spot. I snapped this photo last Tuesday so the signs and everything are up outside, but the inside of the store seems pretty empty. Is this another case of “We will open next week inshallah” because according to reports by Matalan they were going to open by the end of March. Maybe they meant March 2013 because we have just one day left and it seems a bit sad to open with no notification to shoppers!

I just hope that prices will be as cheap as they are in the UK because I am fed up going into shops – Monsoon and H&M are the two that stick out – and finding a dress that costs me 40 pounds (RO25) in the UK costs nearer to RO40 in Muscat. Only time will tell I guess and we desperately need some new shops here after Muscat Grand Mall opened full of shops that – shock horror – we already have!!

What shops would you like to see here? Out of curiosity, where do you normally go to shop here or do you –like I tend to – save it for trips abroad?

OB

Help those who can’t help themselves

Ok, so I know I have been MIA for a while (again!), but I am back and wanted to share this with you all. A friend of mine has been looking to get a rescue dog for a while now and following a chat with her last week I was shocked at how many dogs and cats are out there in Muscat who need a home. Yes, I know that all of us see the odd wadi dog or bin cat running around, but why are some people hurting these animals or abandoning them in the first place? I grew up with a dog as part of the family and can’t understand this type of cruelty.

While helping my friend look for a dog, I came across the story on Oman Cat-astrophe and Muscat Vets (visit their Facebook pages for details of more animals that need you help) of a group of puppies and their mum who were looking for homes thanks to a kind man called Eman who found them one evening. He had been feeding them and trying to protect them from getting hurt by cruel passers-by or worse. There are now three female puppies left for rehoming and I promised my friend that I would post some photos of these puppies and the contact details of Eman in the hope someone would take them in.

The puppies are free to a good home and are so adorable I wish I could take one in L If you are interested, please contact Emad on 99886764.

Please help.

OB