Summers in Oman are about late sunsets and early sunrises. We unknowingly smile when the Arabian Sea sends out its breeze. It is a time when people look forward to staying indoors, whether for work or leisure. We learn to appreciate trees, and every inch of shade matters, especially when looking for a place to park.
This is the time when the suggestion to park farther away to increase your daily steps is unlikely to be heeded.
But then I witnessed a sight that caught my attention. I was enjoying the comfort of an air-conditioned café when my eyes fell upon a gentleman who had chosen to sit outside, seemingly unfazed by the blazing midday sun. He was under the shade, of course, but he had opted to enjoy the natural breeze. When he came back indoors, he did not look one bit bothered by the summer heat. Some people adapt with ease, while others break into a profuse sweat.
Look at children — nothing can stop them from running around, no matter what time of the day it is, unless, of course, they are tired and have run out of energy.
Summer is their season. The world over, summer belongs to children. Schools are closed, and they are full of boundless energy.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Summer Arts Workshops offered by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. The energy was infectious, and so were the participants' creative expressions. It made me wonder: why are summer camps only for school students? Why not for adults as well? Everyone needs an opportunity to unwind.
Of course, many parents use the summer holidays to take their children on vacation. But it is still not quite like the experience of a summer camp. Children begin the day among unfamiliar faces, only to end it having made new friends and eagerly looking forward to the next day.
You might say that children do not have responsibilities or bills to pay. As adults, however, we are often afraid of being judged. We become more focused on fitting in than standing out, and before we know it, we lose the natural flow of our creativity.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if companies and organisations planned short summer camps — perhaps lasting a day or two — as retreats that reconnect adults with the child within them?
Children are adaptable and possess an incredible ability to bounce back, perhaps because they are mentally and physically agile. It is nature's way of shaping them. That is why parents and teachers have such important roles.
The summer programmes organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth deserve appreciation, and the opportunities they offer should be recognised and fully utilised.
Summer also makes us crave water, fresh lime juice, and iced tea — anything to quench our thirst. One often feels even thirstier while on the road. Takeaway drinks may save time, but disposing of used cups and cans properly requires patience and discipline.
One of my pet peeves is finding empty cups and cans scattered across parking areas. When they are left in residential parking lots, or at times in front of someone else's home, they reflect a lack of civic sense.
Respect for others extends to respecting shared spaces. Come to think of it, why should anyone expect someone else to clean up after them? If everyone begins littering parking areas, we will soon find ourselves walking through rubbish.
Perhaps we all need to make a conscious effort to be more aware of our actions and the impact they have on society. Maybe we all need a summer camp — and a refreshing course to revisit the basics.
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