Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Paris - the place to meet perfumistas

Some of you might know, and for those who don't, this Sunday I returned from a 4-day trip to Paris where I got to spend time with perfumista friends, one of which I only knew virtually, one I already met in Paris a few months ago, and a new one. :)

Suzanne, Asali, Mark (Suzanne's husband) and I met on Thursday afternoon and from that point on, we went together on a perfume journey through the streets of Paris - and on a culinary one as well, through the numerous possible choices of bistros, cafes and restaurants (and many other names the French like to call similar establishments).
You already know I met Asali in December, and now I met a pair of perfumistas from across the Atlantic Ocean, I cannot but think that the perfumistas of the world are the most wonderful bunch of people one could ever meet.
In case you were wondering about Suzanne, she is this wonderfully nice, petite and delicate (bossy if you ask Mark) lady.
I still feel ashamed that my first words to her were that I thought she would be taller. It's just that through her blog and some of the photos there, her strength and character came through so obviously so I somehow added height to that.
And once you meet her, the quiet strength she has is obvious (well, she also doesn't lack physical strength what with her regular running routine).
Also, her love of the sun, perfumes, reading and writing and her gently inquisitive nature makes talking with her (or just hearing her explain something) a great experience.
Btw, I believe the fact that in my mind I added height to Suzanne has more  to do with the fact I wish I didn't feel big when compared to other women (so I like to refer to my build as Amazonian, that sounds much better). ;)
Mark on the other hand is rather tall, with an inquiring mind, capable hands and teasing personality (it seems he always tries to learn how to do things himself - and he succeeds as well).
We didn't get to talk much about Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings (we got a little in during one dinner) but he's obviously as much of a fan of HP as I am since while walking around the city he also noticed an interesting street (this photo is for him). :)
So when I say Paris is a place to meet perfumistas, I am including Mark in that as well. He fits the picture perfectly (for the three of us girls you already know we fit the definition).

We had lots of fun sniffing perfumes and each other (for perfumes each of us decided to try) and keeping track of who was wafting what and how come it smelled like this or that. Then we would find a bistro and have a break for something to eat and drink.
Asali called it "nerding" about perfume and I admit, I kept waiting for someone to say, OK, enough of the perfume talk already, but that never happened. :)
Some people might not think it, but I found it extremely refreshing not having to curb my perfume enthusiasm and being able to indulge in talking about perfumes to my heart's content.


Where we went, who we met, and the perfumes we bought, to come in following installments.

18 comments:

  1. Ines, you are super quick, I'm still trying to take it all in. When I close my eyes, I'm actually still there:-). Thanks for this first installment and for the wonderful trip.

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    1. I have a hard time getting back into my regular routine, I'm still day-dreaming about our time in Paris. :) I wish it were longer but I'm still very happy I have this wonderful memories of it.

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  2. Hoorah! Can't wait to read the chapters to follow!

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    1. Okay, then. I'll have to hurry with the next chapters. ;)

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  3. Awesome. I'll make it to Paris one day I hope.

    I have to comment on the use of "nerding" for perfume though. I don't know if perfume is seen as a traditionally nerdy hobby, as is, say, Dungeons and Dragons. We get nerdy about it because we have more focus. Is strong focus nerdy?

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    1. Joan, I'd recommend Paris to everyone (whether they love perfume or not). :)

      As for perfume nerdiness, I would say it would apply when people who are in no way interested in perfumes would listen to our conversations. As those get very enthusiastic on a rather "obscure" subject (to many people).

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  4. Yippee! Another chance to read about a perfumisto/a meet-up. I love these. I hope you had a wonderful time, Ines.

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    1. Natalie, wonderful doesn't even begin to describe it. :)
      I was so sad when it was time to leave because I just didn't want it to end.

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  5. Ines, you make me feel like a million bucks with the sweet things you said ... thank you! I feel a little weepy reading it, probably because it's sad to think the trip is over already. Mark and I had such a great time -- and he got a kick out of reading this post too (and seeing the Nicolas Flamel photo)!:-) And I think we must have really started something ... he's been reading the perfume blogs today (yours in particular), though maybe that's also the effect of the honey wine you gave us, because he cracked that open today as well. ;-)

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    1. Suzanne, I felt weepy all Sunday and now I look back on our trip and think with a little sadness in my heart if we'll be able to repeat the experience some time in the future. It would be sad never to see you again. :(

      With Mark's hands-on approach to everything and after the Paris experience, we might get another blogger in our midst. ;)

      And thank you for all the wonderful things you said on your blog - you know, it's always fun to read how other people see you. :)


      P.S. I really hope you like Medica (Meh-ditza). :)

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  6. This is so exciting! Can't wait to read about what you all got up to. How wonderful you got to meet the lovely Suzanne in person. If she's half as nice as she seems online that would have been a joy. I know from my meet ups that there's nothing like meeting perfumistas "in real life".

    Get writing, Ines! :)

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    1. He, he, Suzanne is even nicer in person. :)
      You know, we should really consider organizing a European perfume meet-up.
      I'm always jealous when I hear about the fun stuff they have in US.

      I'll try and write as fast as I can. ;)

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  7. What a wonderful and warm post! I'm glad you all enjoyed the trip. I can't wait to read more (I've already read Suzanne's report but still want more! :) ).

    I like the fact that we all live in many different places, we get really diverse experiences through each other. But I wish we had more opportunities to meet - in bigger and smaller groups - and share some of those experiences.

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    1. That is very true. :)
      Smelling perfumes with other people from all around the world is both a great and a novel experience in understanding and experiencing perfumes.
      I wish with all my heart we could organize a meeting for all of us together - people we already know through our mutual perfume quests.

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  8. I loved hearing about your trip and like the other commenters, eagerly await the next post. Sounds like you all got on famously, and I do find that having such a passionate hobby in common loads the dice in favour of a "close encounter" of the fragrant kind. : - )

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    1. Oh, we did get along famously - it would be rather hard not to with everyone being so nice. :)
      I wish we could do this regularly.

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