The retreat sounds lovely (well, except for the food poisoning). Would you be willing to share more info about it? It looks like something I might enjoy in the future!
Good morning! I just experienced the same retreat and it was absolutely what I needed to launch a new phase or a new way of being for my life right now. Ajiri's has created an wonderful experience in the Luberon one that I look forward to experiencing again, perhaps during her Moroccan retreat. I stayed in the same house and on the top floor! It was heaven! All of the gorgeous villages filled with the kindest people, the food, the fresh air. It was like living in a dream! The highlight of it all was being welcomed into Cindy and Nicky's home. I just returned home yesterday and I'm still in a daze from their hospitality and delicious food! Bravo to us for taking time to experience this time in France!
Hi Karen, I really enjoyed your piece on the Provence Retreat and yes totally get the dilemma with the word 'Retreat'. I have an 'experience' company with my Parisian business partner Aline Bachelier and we run 'Retreats' in Provence focusing on antiques, textiles, design and joie de vie. I am English and Retreat conjures up something nurturing and restful whereas for Aline it's a rest home for the elderly!!!..not the image we are trying to put across. How careful we need to be with multiple languages. If anyone has a good replacement word for a lovely stay in a beautiful place I would love to know. Susie from La Source - Adventures in Provence & Paris www.sourceantiquesfrance.com
Wanna hear something funny? I was having a convo with ChatGPT the other day and I told it that while I was grateful for some data I asked for, as a writer, I could never ask it to help me with even one word of writing, because I would like to preserve the artistic human tradition haha.
In half a second, it wrote me real suck-up sweet reply as if it understood how important human arts are and that's when I knew--we're definitely done for. 🙃
Karen, it sounds like this wonderful Provençal retreat came at exactly the right time for you.
I knew the French word for retirement was retraite. But I hadn’t made the connection to a retreat. (As children growing up in Ireland, an annual secondary school retreat to a local monastery or convent was a highlight to spend time with school friends away from family).
I loved your 3 view video montage. How did you do that? - it’s very clever.
Yes, it's so interesting about the word "retreat" -- it's really the concept that is not a whole thing yet...for the videos, thank you! It's my magical photo and video fairy who sprinkles her stardust on the clips I take wherever I go. I am always amazed at her latest editing and how she finds the gems in the heaps of stuff I send her. Plus, last time she was in Paris she took some beautiful images we're starting to share now :-)
What a great break! I got to thinking about your translation of "retraite" question. I think you're right --there really is no real translation, although on Linguée I found some use of "retraite" -- for example "retraite spirituelle" -- but I think it's for lack of a better word. I wonder if it's a word that might slip into French in English, or else maybe "retraite" will also start to take on that meaning.
I know, it’s not yet a big concept in France really…not like in the States
My husband just looked it up in our 100-year-old Larousse and while « retraite » is also defined as we would imagine it, it’s just not used that way here beyond « retirement » or something religious/spiritual. Monsieur B says to use « séminaire de développement. personnel » — that’s a mouthful haha
I think a “séminaire de développement personnel” sounds much more pedagogical and structured, although I did see “séminaire” used as a translation on Linguee. I think this is a void in the language for now and something will eventually fill it if the concept picks up.
Et pour les aquarelles…malheureusement pas grandes choses 😂 mais je pense que tu m’as promise un nom pour un atelier à Paris ? J’aimerais m’améliorer ❣️
Hey, so just so you know it’s really common these days to use the word ‘retraite’ for a retreat - particularly in the yoga, breathwork, personal development space. My yoga teachers use it, but I’ve seen it for creative writing workshops, meditation weekend, women’s retreats, it’s really very common! (Source: ten years in France :)
The retreat sounds lovely (well, except for the food poisoning). Would you be willing to share more info about it? It looks like something I might enjoy in the future!
Avec grand plaisir ! https://madamedelamaison.com/
Merci!
Good morning! I just experienced the same retreat and it was absolutely what I needed to launch a new phase or a new way of being for my life right now. Ajiri's has created an wonderful experience in the Luberon one that I look forward to experiencing again, perhaps during her Moroccan retreat. I stayed in the same house and on the top floor! It was heaven! All of the gorgeous villages filled with the kindest people, the food, the fresh air. It was like living in a dream! The highlight of it all was being welcomed into Cindy and Nicky's home. I just returned home yesterday and I'm still in a daze from their hospitality and delicious food! Bravo to us for taking time to experience this time in France!
Lovely! So wonderful that you took this time for you. Agreed—bravo us 🥂 💕
Refuge reposant?
Exactement ! Et inspirant en plus 🧚♀️
Hi Karen, I really enjoyed your piece on the Provence Retreat and yes totally get the dilemma with the word 'Retreat'. I have an 'experience' company with my Parisian business partner Aline Bachelier and we run 'Retreats' in Provence focusing on antiques, textiles, design and joie de vie. I am English and Retreat conjures up something nurturing and restful whereas for Aline it's a rest home for the elderly!!!..not the image we are trying to put across. How careful we need to be with multiple languages. If anyone has a good replacement word for a lovely stay in a beautiful place I would love to know. Susie from La Source - Adventures in Provence & Paris www.sourceantiquesfrance.com
Lest ask AI 🤣🤣🤣
Wanna hear something funny? I was having a convo with ChatGPT the other day and I told it that while I was grateful for some data I asked for, as a writer, I could never ask it to help me with even one word of writing, because I would like to preserve the artistic human tradition haha.
In half a second, it wrote me real suck-up sweet reply as if it understood how important human arts are and that's when I knew--we're definitely done for. 🙃
Merci Susie ! We’ll have to invent a word! 😃
You might consider using the word “séance” as a set-aside time or session!
Stunning photographs, Karen, and a lovely personal reflection on a beautiful week.
Your vast creativity shines in this space.
Hope we meet up again.
Thank you, and yes, a great week. Hope the rest of your trip was fantastic ❣️
Karen, it sounds like this wonderful Provençal retreat came at exactly the right time for you.
I knew the French word for retirement was retraite. But I hadn’t made the connection to a retreat. (As children growing up in Ireland, an annual secondary school retreat to a local monastery or convent was a highlight to spend time with school friends away from family).
I loved your 3 view video montage. How did you do that? - it’s very clever.
Yes, it's so interesting about the word "retreat" -- it's really the concept that is not a whole thing yet...for the videos, thank you! It's my magical photo and video fairy who sprinkles her stardust on the clips I take wherever I go. I am always amazed at her latest editing and how she finds the gems in the heaps of stuff I send her. Plus, last time she was in Paris she took some beautiful images we're starting to share now :-)
What a great break! I got to thinking about your translation of "retraite" question. I think you're right --there really is no real translation, although on Linguée I found some use of "retraite" -- for example "retraite spirituelle" -- but I think it's for lack of a better word. I wonder if it's a word that might slip into French in English, or else maybe "retraite" will also start to take on that meaning.
I know, it’s not yet a big concept in France really…not like in the States
My husband just looked it up in our 100-year-old Larousse and while « retraite » is also defined as we would imagine it, it’s just not used that way here beyond « retirement » or something religious/spiritual. Monsieur B says to use « séminaire de développement. personnel » — that’s a mouthful haha
Would you agree?
I think a “séminaire de développement personnel” sounds much more pedagogical and structured, although I did see “séminaire” used as a translation on Linguee. I think this is a void in the language for now and something will eventually fill it if the concept picks up.
What a beautiful summary of a special week. I love your photos and can’t wait to see what you painted.
A beautiful week thanks to you Madame ! J’espère que cette semaine est aussi belle—merci merci ❣️
Et pour les aquarelles…malheureusement pas grandes choses 😂 mais je pense que tu m’as promise un nom pour un atelier à Paris ? J’aimerais m’améliorer ❣️
Merci pour ce commentaire :-)
Hey, so just so you know it’s really common these days to use the word ‘retraite’ for a retreat - particularly in the yoga, breathwork, personal development space. My yoga teachers use it, but I’ve seen it for creative writing workshops, meditation weekend, women’s retreats, it’s really very common! (Source: ten years in France :)