Kettle Steam on Stone Stove in Ouargla Atrium

Deep shadow fills the vaulted stone atrium of Ouargla, where a rim of pale pre-dawn light traces the curve of a cast-iron stove. A metal kettle sits atop the stove, its spout emitting a thin, steady stream of steam that vanishes into the cool air. Rough-hewn stone walls rise on either side, their surfaces textured with age and dampness from the light drizzle visible on the high windows. Autumn leaves press against the glass, turning brown and brittle in the dimness. The low angle emphasizes the height of the vaulted ceiling and the solitary glow of the stove against the encroaching dark. one drop of water rests on the rim of a nearby stone basin, reflecting the faint silver of the early morning sky.