Olympia

Two years ago in late summer, I broke up with my boyfriend of many years. The break-up was hard, painful, but unavoidable. No alternative, as they say. The reasons are irrelevant here.
It was a terrible time for everyone involved. I was in a bad way and only got better very slowly. I wasn't used to living alone at all and had to reorient myself completely. Suddenly deciding everything on my own was just as difficult as reconnecting with old friendships. And then, to make matters worse, Christmas and the New Year were just around the corner. In the meantime, I had regained some control over my mental life and decided to attend a big New Year's Eve party all by myself, which takes place every year in our town's theater. Although I still didn't feel like celebrating, I put on my short dance dress, painted my lips red and set off with a little trepidation. I was pretty sure that I would be back home shortly after midnight. But I had paid, so I had to go. And what fragrance was I wearing? Exactly, Hibiscus Mahajad by Maison Crivelli, because for me it exudes exuberance and joie de vivre, which is exactly what I was missing at that moment...
What can I say - contrary to expectations, it turned out to be a great evening. I had a great time, danced until four in the morning and received lots of compliments. It may sound clichéd, but that New Year's Eve reawakened all my lost spirits. I suddenly felt strong and beautiful and had this wonderful scent in my nose, which is exactly that: strong and beautiful. Pure joie de vivre. It is certainly less suitable for many other occasions, I agree. Too flashy, too flowery, too intense, too whatever... But on this evening, it felt just right for me. Merging perfectly with my newly awakened courage to face life. Just like in the song "I will survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
I don't wear it very often, but every time I do, I'm reminded of that New Year's Eve, which was a kind of "rebirth" for me and showed me that it always goes on, even if you don't believe it at first.
Hibiscus Mahajad accompanied me in a wonderful way. He couldn't have done me a bigger favor..

What I'm doing here is actually absolute nonsense. Already clear to me. I'm doing it anyway because the fragrance simply deserves it. It is magical, beguiling and beautiful in its own way. I notice that over and over again when I wear it. Which is rare, since it's no longer available for purchase and my bottle, acquired through devious means (I was lucky), is meant to last as long as possible. I'm writing a review about a discontinued fragrance. Crazy, but necessary. Because this very special aura that arises when you press the sprayer is so unique that it must not be forgotten unnoticed.

First of all, the fragrance has the wrong name. It is called "Indian Holi", but for me it has not the slightest thing to do with India. Instead, it is a thoroughly Japanese fragrance for my nose. The rice vapor linking it to the original "Amour," the prominent cherry blossom, and the sandalwood immediately bring to mind Japanese gardens with traditional teahouses and dainty strollers in kimonos. Yet the scent is less powdery-sweet than the original, more floral and deeper due to the wood and incense. I find it more feminine, balanced and also a little more adult than the still available "Amour" (which I also appreciate). The longevity is also much better on me. No other fragrance puts me through its quiet beauty and perfect balance for hours in such a calm, almost meditative mood. The clearly perceptible, but by no means artificial cherry blossom, the soft vanilla and the dark wood form a wonderful fragrance accord that gently envelops its wearer without slaying her or her environment.
With a little imagination, it becomes thereby even the Geisha and walks with small tripping steps through the cherry blossom gardens of everyday life.
Too far-fetched?
Try it out - provided you're lucky and can, like me, on convoluted paths somewhere still organize a tiny bottling ...