Through the arched window

Oman may do a good line in doors, but the windows can also be pretty impressive. They're mainly arched, some with bars, others with shutters and often small to keep the rooms inside shaded and cool. There's something about a window that makes me want to peer in, or peer out - am I just a natural nosey parker? Somehow, I don't think it's just me ...

Beautiful stone grills for the rooms, arrow slits and peep holes for the guards on the roof

Another castle window (if you hadn't guessed!)

Simple curves and lines overlapping in this gorgeous example of Arabic architecture

Windows to let in the light and air but keeping the lower part of the room cool - genius

what's left of a window in an old-style wattle-and-daub house

Classy modern shutters create patterns of light inside

because you wouldn't want to accidentally fall out at this height!

Keeping the thieves out, or the residents in?

On a tangent ...

... I was listening to a TED talk today about introverts, and decided that I'd try one of those personality tests - the one I did is based on both Jung and the Briggs-Myers test, which I think a lot of workplace personality tests use. If you have a spare couple of minutes, try it here.

Anyway, according to this test, I am an ENFJ - Extroverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging person. Apparently I share this with a few US Presidents including Obama (yeah!), Reagan (less yeah!) and Clinton (hmmm), and a whole bunch of caring-sharing types including Oprah and the founder of the Red Cross. But what I found really interesting was the lists of jobs recommended for ENFJ types, of which this is a typical example:

Possible Career Paths for the ENFJ:

• Facilitator
• Consultant
• Psychologist
• Social Worker / Counselor
• Teacher
• Clergy
• Sales Representative
• Human Resources
• Manager
• Events Coordinator
• Sales Representative
• Politicians / Diplomats
• Writers

Scarily, I have done at least half of these jobs, and wouldn't mind a lot of the others (although I'm not sure about the clergy ...). So is there really something in it after all? Am I really such a stereotype? Would love to hear what you think, to try and work out if I'm getting sucked in by psycho-babble boll@#%s or if these tests are actually quite perceptive ...

They think it's all over ...

... but it isn't for the Omanis! Their football team, against the odds, has made it through to the next round of Brazil 2014 playoffs, with the added satisfaction of seeing neighbouring Saudi Arabia eliminated. Much rejoicing in the streets of Muscat (or at least, much beeping of horns and standing with their heads out of the sun roof of their cars waving flags).

Yes, silly supporter hats are universal

I didn't make it to the match itself, as it was annoyingly in the middle of the working day (to be at the same time as the Australia match), but I did go and see Oman play mighty Wigan a couple of weeks ago (Wigan have the only famous Omani football player, Al Habsi, in goal). It was not a night of scintillating football ...

... but the crowd was fun!

Jabrin - interior decoration Oman style ...

Jabrin castle with Jebel Shams in the background

Move aside Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, and let the Omanis show you how to decorate ... Jabrin Castle may not be Oman's biggest castle, and it ain't that much to look at from the outside, but inside it is a little treasure. After having been the home of some of Oman's Imams (the religious leader of the Ibadi muslims here) back in the 17th and 18th centuries, it apparently stood empty from the 1780s right up until the restoration in the 1970s. It's actually incredible how much was left, and the restoration has been beautifully done - you really can imagine what life was like all those years ago. Magic.

Each room has its own design of flowers on the ceilings

In some rooms, the ceilings reflect the carpets on the floors below

Love the colours on this one - all the more glorious against the white walls

There are words and patterns carved into walls and archways all over the castle ...

... especially in this beautiful staircase, leading up to the Imam's audience room

Even the pots of dates in the kitchens are decorated -  William Morris would have approved!