dispatches from muscat

i am sitting in the internet cafe and the front desk guy who takes are money just lit up some frankincense in a huge burner (much larger than the cute little SQCC ones) the proper way (with a piece of coal, rather than lighting the incense itself and causing giant flames that Omanis have never seen incense lit in such a way before). he ran around with the smoking incense holder, up and down the stairs, and the strong and soothing scent of frankincense quickly filled the room (and thank goodness didn't set off any fire alarms ... not that i think this building even has any...).

my head cold from earlier today has been slightly relieved and i am much more relaxed. SQCC employees used to burn this stuff religiously during the winter months when stressed ...

(Trudi, i thought you would enjoy this post. :))