Olive Tree in a Silver City
It stands alone, perfectly placed, like everything around it—its silvery leaves catching the light just right, its twisted branches a nod to something ancient, something rooted. But here, it feels out of place. A beautiful illusion in a landscape designed to look real, but that only echoes reality. The soil beneath it is foreign, and though it’s alive, something doesn’t quite fit.
I think of myself, friends, and many of us- planted in environments away from home—whether it’s the curated spaces we move to abroad, the digital landscapes shaped by algorithms and echo chambers, or the polished workplaces that mould us to fit their design.
Each of these worlds feels carefully constructed, yet all carry a quiet dissonance, a sense that they were built by unseen hands that don’t consider the roots we carry with us.
under air conditioning
Seeing olive trees planted indoors—used as statement pieces in cafés or as ornamental touches in Dubai’s carefully curated spaces—inspired this reflection. It’s strange to see this symbol of resilience and deep-rooted heritage under air conditioning, contrasted with the shining cityscape outdoors.
And it just made me curious, so I did a quick Google search: are olive trees even native to this region?