New York never held me softly, but it held me still.In this second episode of Scent Trail, I walk through the scent of survival in the city that broke me, built me, and still lives inside me. A love letter to sharp edges, subway grief, and resilience that smells like hot metal and rain on stone. The City I Never Left, now live.
It started with an oyster. Not a script. Not a plan. Just a man behind a counter, and something in me beginning to open. In The Crack, the first episode of Scent Trail, I didn’t film. I just felt. A quiet encounter in Atlantic City became the moment that split me open, and started everything. This is where the story begins. The first episode of Scent Trail, The Crack is now live.
In Episode 3 of Scent Trail, I travel to Bali not to escape, but to break. Set against temple smoke, frangipani, and sacred silence, this is the story of a summer that burned everything false away. A ritual of grief, rebirth, and scent, where candle-making became a sacred act of becoming.
OUD, known as "liquid gold," is a valuable resin from the agarwood tree, cherished in the Middle East for its rich aroma and cultural significance. Produced through a rare, labor-intensive process, OUD is associated with religious rituals, hospitality, luxury, and medicinal uses. In candle making, it offers a unique, multi-layered scent that appeals to those seeking exotic, luxurious fragrances. Candle making classes teach participants to create OUD-infused candles, blending tradition with modern craftsmanship.
