The Smell of Home

It its really interesting how smells can take you back to a certain time and place. If you close your eyes you can almost imagine you are there. Last weekend, as I was waking through the flee market, I smelt an aroma. All of a sudden Libya and home filled my mind. I walked around letting my nose lead me to where the scent originated from.

I rounded a corner and saw an incense stand. It was covered with all types of incense burners. There was brass and stone. All different shapes, colors and sizes. I walked over to the shop keeper and asked him hopefully,"What's that smell? What are you burning?" He the showed me the Frankincense and Myrrh. He had Jasmine, Sandalwood and Amber. All the smells of home. It reminded me of the countless weddings, engagements, sbouas, and funerals. The times when the family would gather around and have Shahi Ailla. The kanoon would always come out and the bahour would chase away the evil eye. It reminded me of my grand mother, she always smelled nice. I almost forgot that smell, and what a shame that would have been.