Omanis come out in force to deliver lesson in etiquette

Beijing is planning to build a museum for this year's Olympic Torch Relay so that gifts, pictures and recollections of each leg can be put on public display. On hearing the news, I couldn't help but picture myself going there in 30-odd years with my grandchild, and telling him or her about our odyssey in spring 2008.

When that moment comes, I will recall our days in Muscat, Oman with perhaps the most joy and appreciation.

It was a perfect relay day on Monday, but even before the flame began its course, I was touched by the bravery, endurance and flair of the Omanis in constructing such a beautiful city. They overcame great difficulties to build an oasis in the desert, where rainfall is limited to a few showers a year.