OLFACTORY MEMORIES

olfactory memories

fragrances reminiscent of past experiences

WILD ROSE ... I was walking in the forest when, suddenly,a sweet smell, like that of a rose enveloped me. There were no roses there, from what I could see and that pleasant fragrance couldn't come from any flower. I stopped and looked around. The air grew heavier, the trees rustled and a small path seemed to open before me, leading to a hidden valleyI had never seen before. The smell of the rose prompted me to follow and, when I entered the valley, I found a spring full of water that shone like a star. There I noticed some wild roses that had grown near the spring... By Konstantina

OREGANO When i was younger, my grandmother and I used to go to the mountain above our village house in my grandmother's village to harvest oregano.The mountain is famous for its herbs and spices and we would go there early in the morning as that is the time when the essential oils in herbs are highest in concentration. I remember that was what I waited for every week and I was so proud of myself when I managed to discover the spots where the oregano was, just by its strong aroma. Up until today,this has been one of my most beautiful memories and every time I smell oregano, my mind takes me back to those days... By Melina

OCEAN BREEZE One warm summer morning I was walking along a quiet beach. A soft breeze was blowing, carrying the fresh smell of the ocean. It was salty and sweet, mixed with the faint scent of the wet sand. The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore made me so calm. I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed in deeply, feeling peaceful and free. The pleasant smell reminded me of happy summer days and adventures by the ocean. By Evita

CINNAMON The smell of cinnamon reminds me of when I was a little girl and my Mom would make me tea with cinnamon flavour, so that I could relax and sleep at nights! Cinnamon tea is a comforting warm drink that's brimming with antioxidants and a wide range of health benefits! bY Maria

LAVENDER Sofia walked through the vast lavender fields of Provence, the scent calming her soul. Every summer, she visited her grandma's farm where lavender bloomed like a purple ocean. She helped harvest the flowers, drying them for tea and fragrant sackets. One evening, as the sun painted the sky gold, her grandma handed her a small bottle of lavender oil. "For peace and sweet dreams", she whispered. That night, Sofia slept deeply, wrapped in the magic of lavender! By Lefteris

CARNATION I remember finding a dried carnation pressed between the pages of an old book in my mother's attic. When I showed it to her,she smiled softly and said " Your father gave it to me on our first date! It seemed to me then, that it was the most fragrant flower I had ever smelled! I kept it all these years, so that I would never forget what it felt like to be young and in love!" By Lydia

EUCALYPTUS One day, last summer, I was walking with my family in a forest near our hotel and from the intense breeze I realized that it was a eucalyptus forest. Then, memories came to my mind from my grandmother's village where I used to go as a child in the summers. In the courtyard of the house there was an old eucalyptus tree under the shade of which I used to play with my friends. I will never forget the strong aroma of the eucalyptus leaves, a forest scent with hints of mint, honey and citrus together! By Pantelis