Author - Aneta Nedyalkova -
A dear friend once called me a ‘Thing Finder’, just like Pippi Longstocking. It looks like I am, and it looks like I like it that way :)
So let me tell what I found the other day. The Castle of the Sleeping Beauty. I knew it was somewhere here, but I must admit I knew nothing about the castle itself. Now I’ve learned it’s secrets.
They call it The Castle of the Sleeping Beauty because its architecture and location - hidden at the foot of a forest hill - has inspired Charles Perrault to write the famous tale, whose original title is actually "La Belle au Bois Dormant" - The Sleeping Forest Beauty. The Château d'Ussé and its chapel, named after Sainte Anna, were built more than 500 years ago. At the entrance of the castle, a sign informs curious visitors that its owner, the grandson of Duc de Blacas, still lives there. The family has owned the castle for over two centuries and is dedicated to continually restoring it, day after day, month after month, year after year. A myriad of specialists are involved in the restorations, and the works are supported by entrance fees and donations. Each and every one of the castle’s nooks and crannies are painstakingly brought to their former glory.. In a short video, screening in one of the stone cellars, we meet a sculptor who has spent the last 15 years restoring the facades and their ornaments and a master roofer who shares that people come and go, yet the castle remains and they have an obligation to care for it ...
The beautiful park is designed by the emblematic French gardener Le Nôtre. Take a stroll down stunning floral alleys à la française and you’ll also encounter the two century old oaks, a gift by Chateaubriand to the then lady of the castle, dating back to 1808. (We’ll leave the story of the parade meal of Chateaubriand for another time :)).
You can also visit the old cellars and stables of the castle, before finally entering the castle itself. And there ... there you go back in time and actually enter the fairy tale. You are climbing to the top of the Tower up a narrow stone staircase. In small rooms, behind glass, moments of the fairy tale are imaginatively recreated. You find yourself in an old attic, supported by wooden beams and full of cobwebs, filled with a treasure of antiques. A papyrus scripture tells you that the attics of castles are those places that hide secrets, mysteries, treasures ... And then, after experiencing the Tower, where the Prince has awakened his Beauty, you walk down the castle's halls.
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Author - Aneta Nedyalkova -
A dream come true! Regardless of how many wonderful books I read, there is one book that will always fascinate me. A book I can read over and over again. A book in which there is everything...
Dignity, honour, a ‘till death do us part’ kind of friendship, battles, murders, vengeance, extreme courage and delicate femininity, humour, love, betrayal, noble men and women and wicked men and women, great minds, wealth, poverty, dreams, faith ... Everything.
The Three Musketeers - my dad gave it to me first and just like me he still rereads it! It’s a book that has marked me since I was 10 years old and hiding under the blankets, reading it with a flashlight, because I simply could not let go of the story.
And now, here in France, I have found him ... d'Artagnan! ...
Le Château de Castelmore, Gascogne is the home of Comte Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan - not a very wealthy Earl, but a glamorous musketeer, and the historical personality who inspired Alexandre Dumas to create his glorious hero d'Artagnan!
The castle is right next to Lupiac - a small town where everything is connected with d'Artagnan - the square, the restaurant, the summer festival (when all are dressed with clothing from times gone by), the museum, the monument in the centre - everything is dedicated to the brave royal musketeer.
It was like a brief return to that romantic age, that has left me breathless ...
One of my most powerful experiences in France.
Author - Aneta Nedyalkova -
It’s been three years since we left Bulgaria. We’ve changed three countries. I will never call myself an immigrant. During this time I've met an awful lot of people who travel, move countries, change their work and don’t consider this as immigration. People who have the need to travel and who crave new experiences. Seekers with restless souls. They stop only when they are convinced deep down inside that they are at the right place. These thoughts provoked me to write down some of the conclusions I’ve reached. They may or may not be correct. Some of them may sound trivial but this is what I have experienced.
- It is never too late. You can start anew in a completely unfamiliar place at the age of 45. You can do it at 55 too. I’ve seen and experienced it.
- It’s never easy. Not at all. But it is always possible.
- New places are like children – you need time to “raise” them. Some are more difficult to grow and others are easier. But it is always extremely emotional and interesting.
- There are good and bad people everywhere and that does not depend on their nationality, race or religion. Certainly, the good outnumber the bad ones.
- Education, literacy and experience are the “open sesame” for everything you want to achieve. Knowledge is power.
- Regardless of where a person is from, being proud of one’s roots is always treated with respect.
- Old friends are always dearly missed. All new friendships are wonderful – you can do everything with your new friends. They’ll make you have, you’ll spend time together and share emotions. Nevertheless, they will never be like your old friends, whom you have left afar. Maybe twenty years down the line this view will change. I can’t tell at this stage.
- Many things in our lives depend solely on us. We are responsible of keeping our home beautiful and our garden - flourishing; keeping everything neat and a smile on our face. We have the power to do so regardless of everything. This is not something that depends on a country or a politician. It is something that is within us and the result is a better life for all.
- Health and family are sacred. Full stop.
- You are the newcomer, you are the one that needs to fit in. If you are unhappy with this fact and if you are not ready for it, don’t ever leave. You stand no chance.
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