I have arrived safe and sound back to the beautiful home of my heart- Grasse, France. I got in last night, after a very long journey from Canada. I caught the bus from the Nice airport- and after wrestling my two large and one small loaded down suitcases (more raw materials and books/papers than clothes) down into the old city, I was met by my friend Julie who had my keys. She than kindly helped carry everything up to the 5th floor where I live.
I was nervous all week- not sure how it would feel to be back in Grasse this time. I have been in Canada for the last 11 months, and it is always a huge shift to jump between cultures and worlds- and I often feel so slightly schizophrenic in which place I belong to. The longer I spend in one place the bigger leap it is to return to the other. (I still think there should be some sort of psychotherapy for this sort of dilemma).
However, as soon as the bus entered the outskirts of Grasse, I felt a surge of excitement. And certainly, as soon as I unlocked the door and stepped into my apartment, I breathed the huge sigh of relief that one does after being away from home for a long time.
Now today, after a heavy sleep (thanks Jordanna! melatonin really works!)- I am unpacking and settling back into this lovely space. It is cold (these old buildings are not made for cold weather, and last night it was -1 C), but it is bright and familiar, and I am excited to get to work creating the perfume that has been percolating in my mind for the last 6 months.
A Perfumed Pilgrimage 
ciao Jessica,
have a nice and relaxing Grassoise Time there, breath deep the air around you and let inspiration hug you…I know Grasse is special for this, for the atmosphere around….
wishing you all the best and a wondeful Christmas a la Cote Azur..
ciao
Roberto
What a beautiful view of Grasse! I think it must be cold and great. I wish you a lot of great times there, and maybe one day I will go, as my brother did in the past.
Much Love to you!
Happy Holidays!
Please make sure you contact me if you come here! I wish you a very happy and bright new year as well! xoxo
Ciao Roberto,
Thank you very much! It’s true, there is something about this place and the mountain air that invigorates and inspires as it sweeps down toward the sea.
Wishing you also a very happy Christmas and New Year 2011!!
Jessica xo
Hi Jessica!
I’m so glad I’ve found your blog, and I’m looking forward to reading all about your year at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery. I want desperately to be able to go to that school and am trying to calculate which of my organs I could sell to make that happen! I was wondering if you could share what the application process was like for you. I don’t see any actual applications on their website, only an e-mail address, and I am unsure if they intend prospective students to just send a letter expressing interest in the program? Nervous! Any words of wisdom you have would be so appreciated! Thank you!
Hello Polly,
Thank you for your letter. The application process can vary. It seems to be dependent on your level of experience. For me, there was no testing process since I had already been working with aromatics for many years. I simply made a written application as to why I wanted to attend. Other students, more recently, have had to go to New York to be have olfactive tests done. So definitely the best thing is to write them (or call and speak to Isabelle). I wish you all the best in your exploration of perfumery and in 2011 in general!!