Fifth Journey Day 100: Frankincense in Rain Air
Digital artwork reflecting the misty rain and drifting incense of Salalah, Oman
Date: Aug 18, 2025
Location: Salalah, Oman
During my travels, I spent a day in Salalah, Oman, a place where quiet rhythms and everyday details invite slower observation. This entry reflects the sights, sounds, and textures of the day.
The Atmosphere of Rain
The first thing I noticed was the sound. It wasn't the sound of rain falling hard, but the sound of rain being everywhere. A fine mist covered my hair and clung to my sleeves, softening the edges of the buildings. During the khareef, Salalah feels held in a single, slow breath. Even the colors are subdued: green hills in a gray sky, the pale sea blending into the horizon without a clear edge.
The Atmosphere of Rain
I didn't wander far. I found a small roadside tea stall and decided to stay there. The air was cool enough that the steam from the glass rose in small, visible swirls. Men sat in groups, talking quietly. The rain made the voices seem quieter. Every so often, a motorcycle would pass, its sound quickly disappearing into the mist.
The Atmosphere of Rain
There's a kind of pleasure in arriving somewhere and not feeling like you have to keep moving. The tea was thick and sweet, and the glass was slightly chipped at the rim. I traced it absentmindedly with my thumb while watching water collect on the metal table. Every so often, a strong wind brought the smell of burning frankincense from somewhere nearby — a mixture of sweet and slightly bitter scents that mingled with the rain-washed air.
The Atmosphere of Rain
I didn't draw today. The moisture would have warped the paper, and I didn't feel like I needed to record shapes. Instead, I let the rain blur and simplify everything around me. Maybe the record is in my skin, in the way the tea feels warm against the cold air, or in how my shoulders felt lighter after sitting still for a while. By late afternoon, it was still raining. The sky didn't show any signs of change, and I liked that — how steady it was. It felt like the city was moving at the same speed as me, and I had started moving without even realizing it.
Travel Notes
- Weather: Low clouds with steady drizzle, 23°C, light wind carrying the scent of wet earth and faint sea salt.
- Scents: incense, frankincense, sea air, tea, rain-soaked earth, rose
- Sounds: motorcycles, wind, rainfall
- Reflection: It felt like the city was moving at the same speed as me, and I had started moving without even realizing it.
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