Anne Bouji had spent more than two decades in Oman until she retired in 2017 and settled with her husband, Simon in Lebanon.
As Oman celebrates 53rd anniversary of National Day, she recollected her days in Oman that had revolved around words and books.
When asked what were the first thoughts that come into mind when you say Oman, her answer was in one word, “Happiness.”
“I feel it was the happiest time of my life. I had a job I adored, in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, I found my husband there and made some precious friends. During my time there, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in their efforts to promote the country coined the phrase, 'Beauty has an address, Oman'.
Had I been part of that team I would have suggested, 'If heaven on earth exists, it is in Oman'.”
Anne, originally from Durham in the North East of England, had arrived in Oman during the charming 80s.
She reflected, “I was privileged to live and work in Oman for a total of 28 years, from 1985 to 2017. During that time I went to Bahrain and Tanzania for short contracts but was delighted to be able to return to Oman, which felt like, 'coming home'.”
One of the first bookshops in Oman that sold books in English was the Family Bookshop in Ruwi.
“Yes I came to Oman from Papua New Guinea, specifically to work for Family Bookshop.
I had worked in bookshops all my life, in England, Scotland and PNG, but Oman was the first place where I ever sold a set of Britannica.”
Oman is an important part of Anne’s life because this is where she developed her passion for writing and in conjunction with love for Oman and its people she began to write stories about Oman.
"When I left Tanzania it was to come back to Oman to work with Al Roya publishing. Hatim al Taie was a treasured friend from my first tour in Oman and I was delighted to be able to work with him and his staff, as they launched Al Roya daily newspaper and continue publishing a programme, which was devoted to the history, culture and traditions of Oman. So still working with books, but instead of selling them, I was publishing them, writing them and promoting them through the Sindbad Children's Mobile Libraries, which was an Al Roya initiative allowing us to share the joy of reading with children in all corners of Oman. They were wonderful days.”
This is what she admires about Oman, “I have watched Oman develop over the years and what I admire the most is that Oman didn't lose its identity as so many nations have done in their race to modernise.
Modernisation and development was an important part of the vision of the late Sultan, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, and is being continued by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, but not at the cost of Oman's history and culture. It would have been easy to build blue glass tower blocks all over the country, can you imagine Muscat like that?"
She said it would render it just another city anywhere in the world.
She pointed out, “Instead, traditional architecture and culture are the predominant features with some modern buildings and the result is a beautiful blend that says, I am an Omani city in my own country.”
So what she misses most about Oman?
“Of course I miss the people of Oman, their hospitality and generosity. I miss work and being able to interact with so many friendly and gentle people," she added.
This is what she would like to say to Oman, “THANK YOU FOR THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE.”
“Don't ever change, stay as you always have been; cultured, traditional, humble, generous, welcoming, hospitable and peaceful. The world is changing rapidly, but please don't feel the need to change just to keep pace. You already have everything the rest of the world is striving for.”
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