Bulgaria with Noodles

On one of our five trips to Oman Oman is one of my favourite countries. It is definitely my Number One place in the Middle East. In some ways, I even prefer it to Bulgaria, my adopted home. Why do I like it so much? Well, I have only been to Oman five times, but every time I have been impressed with the dramatic scenery: the endless (and more or less deserted) beaches, the austere and craggy mountains, the green wadis with their falaj irrigation canals. Most of all, the Omanis themselves are lovely people. They are patient, hospitable and kind. Although they want to preserve traditional ways of life, they are a pretty open-minded and tolerant people. There are female police officers in Oman and a gay Sultan.  One particular incident sticks in my mind.  We were wandering through a village up in the mountains. It was morning and as we went past an open door, a young man invited us to come in and share some coffee and rather yummy dates. Would anyone in t...

On the Charles Bridge Dear Sally, How wonderful to hear from you! Yes, of course I remember you very well. You and your husband were so kind (and so brave) to volunteer to come with me and seventeen children to the Czech Republic. I am sending you a few Czech photos, to bring back some memories.   Yes, I did get an e-mail from Adam and of course I have ordered my very own copy of Kings of the Yukon from Amazon. (They did not have it any bookshop in Sofia, alas.) You must be very proud of Adam! The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year award is very prestigious. (Let’s hope a big cheque came with it.) I still remember Adam as Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace . He was absolutely brilliant! It is a very big part. (I suppose that he must have been about ten years old at the time.) Of course, Arsenic and Old Lace is black comedy and an adult play – it was never written for children – and it is about two hours long! Of course, he was also excellent as Willi...