The smell of the Kingdom

Countries or cities have their specific smells. I guess that anyone who traveled at least a little bit can notice that fact. It is nothing unusual. Morocco, or more specifically - Rabat or any other big city, have quite an intense smell in the summer - a mix of hot, humid air, car fumes and sewage. When it was strong, it was disgusting. No one sane could enjoy it. The mix of all that fragrances left a strong mark in my brain.

Then a few weeks ago, I was sitting at a bus stop in Sydney's City while waiting for a bus after going to a cinema. It was a warm, winter night of August. Quite uneventful. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I started feeling that horrible smell. It was coming from the nearby sewage drain. It was disgusting. I did not feel like Sydney at all. But quickly, I recognized that smell. It felt exactly like the sewage in Morocco. It was equally awful. But there was something intoxicating about it. There was something seducing. It smelt just like Rabat or Casablanca. In the middle of the Central Business District of Sydney (a.k.a. City Jungle), while sitting on a bench, I got totally carried away by a terrible smell that reminded me of the Kingdom. Surprisingly, it felt really good and I could not help sniffing it continuously. It was awful but so good at the same time. I could not stop. I enjoyed it.

No one sane could like it. I am definitely insane.