First Journey Day 5: Fragrant Constellations
Date: August 29, 2023
Location: Fes, Morocco
In Fes, Morocco, the medina’s old apothecaries and attar shops turn scent into story. Today I stepped into that tradition—composing a personal perfume amid glass vials, resins, and whispered recipes.
Inside a Fassi Perfumery
Today was an olfactory journey unlike any other. I visited a local perfumery in Fes, a place where scents are not just fragrances but stories captured in tiny glass bottles. The perfumer, a wise old man with twinkling eyes, guided me through the process of creating my own scent. Each essence I chose seemed to resonate with different facets of my being—jasmine for my love of beauty, sandalwood for my grounding, and a touch of bergamot for that zest for life I so cherish.
Blending Memory into Aroma
As I mixed the essences, I felt like an alchemist, blending not just scents but also memories, emotions, and aspirations. The final product was a fragrance that felt deeply personal, a scent that was uniquely mine. It was a transformative experience, one that made me realize how our senses can offer such profound insights into our inner worlds.
Art in the Language of Scent
I left the perfumery feeling invigorated and inspired. The experience was a reminder that art is not just what we see or touch; it's also what we smell, hear, and taste. It's the full spectrum of human experience, captured in myriad forms. Today, I captured a piece of it in a bottle, a scent that will forever remind me of this magical day in Fes.
Travel Notes
- Weather: Clear sky, ~18 °C (64.5 °F); crisp evening air and a gentle breeze threading through the medina lanes.
- Scents: Jasmine, sandalwood, bergamot; hints of amber, beeswax, leather, and old cedar shelves.
- Sounds: The soft clink of glass vials, mortar taps, murmured bargaining beyond the doorway, and the distant call to prayer.
- Reflection: Composing a perfume felt like sketching without paper—each note a line, each accord a wash of color across memory.
Continue the Journey
If you’d like to trace the day before, wander through First Journey Day 4: The Zodiac Bazaar in Marrakech. Or follow the breeze north in First Journey Day 6: Whispers in the Wind from Casablanca.
