A visual essay by Manel Portomeñe
Desert Calm
Oman
A vision by Manel Portomeñe
In a world so ultra-saturated by tourism, it is surprising to find, still, such incredible territories where tourism has not yet arrived (and Insha'Allah, will never come). Oman is an extremely calm country. The long and monotonous roads invite personal meditation. It is very normal to drive for hours without passing cars. For many stretches the landscape is so flat and homogeneous that any reference point disappears. It is surprising to see so many families gathered in the middle of nowhere. Where I just see the shadow of a tree, they see a place to meet. They naturally park the car, take out some chairs and spend the day there. It is that easy and spontaneous.
I discovered a country that prioritises family and religion above all things; a country so saturated with mosques that sometimes you can hear the Adhan of 4 different muezzins; a country where the camel has taken away the cow's job and where modest Bedouins enjoy solitude; a scorching country with countless palm trees, infinite beaches and strong geometries painted with light and shadows; remote villages indifferent to the world outside; beautiful oases and silent sunsets hidden between waves of sand. I also discovered myself a little. My impatience, my absurd prejudices and how much the right song influences me at the right time. And surely many other things, recorded in my mind that someday will help me know who I am.
I discovered a country that prioritises family and religion above all things; a country so saturated with mosques that sometimes you can hear the Adhan of 4 different muezzins; a country where the camel has taken away the cow's job and where modest Bedouins enjoy solitude; a scorching country with countless palm trees, infinite beaches and strong geometries painted with light and shadows; remote villages indifferent to the world outside; beautiful oases and silent sunsets hidden between waves of sand. I also discovered myself a little. My impatience, my absurd prejudices and how much the right song influences me at the right time. And surely many other things, recorded in my mind that someday will help me know who I am.
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Photo: Greta Obuchavičiūtė
Photo: Greta Obuchavičiūtė
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Photo: Greta Obuchavičiūtė
Photos by Manel Portomeñe & Greta Obuchavičiūtė
Words by Manel Portomeñe
Edited by Bis Turnor
Traveller/s
Manel Portomeñe
Graphic Designer and Art Director
Manel Portomeñe es un diseñador gráfico nacido en Barcelona y que recientemente se ha mudado a Kuwait. Necesita y valora tanto el tiempo libre que decidió hacer un año sabático para poder viajar. Le gusta mucho preguntar, es curioso, observador y cabezota. Disfruta tanto de la compañía como de la soledad. Le gusta mucho Tarantino y Denis Villeneuve, Black Mirror, el ramen, la música electrónica, la horchata y el verano.
@manelportomene
