I am within my second week here in Avène. I have been staying at Eau Thermale Avène l’hôtel, which is hands down the most eco-loving place that I know to exist (eco-friendly does not do it justice) . The treatment center is connected to the hotel, so my commute is about 90 seconds. I love this for a couple of reasons. First, I can climb out of bed and be in the jacuzzi within 10 minutes. Second, and most important, is that there is no interruption from the serenity that surrounds me the moment that I wake until, the moment that I begin my treatment. I would think that this fluid transition only adds to the efficacy of the treatment and the pleasure factor of this entire experience.
I have done quite a bit of exploring during this past week, and though I have ventured far and wide, the most stunning and moving vistas have been on the grounds that embrace the hotel and treatment center.
I had an unexpected reaction the first time I walked the expansive grounds. I can’t explain why, but the overwhelming disbelief of this place actually existing, made me burst into laughter. It was as though I was in the middle of a fantasy film, where my mystical surroundings were created through CGI and special effects, and that I had to keep reminding myself that what I was seeing is actually real, not Hollywood magic!
Its strange… whenever I travel, my camera is always an extension of my arm, so much so, that sometimes I think that my nerve endings extend to the tip of my lens. But here, I barely shoot (compared to my norm). I think I am slowly learning an unintentional life lesson. For as long as I can remember, I have been using my camera to capture every extraordinary sight and experience. But I’m realizing that capturing them, could be preventing me from fully absorbing them and breathing them in… from having them become a part of me. This isn’t an “a-ha” moment which is making me leave my camera in my room, but rather an absence of desire to reach for it in the first place. For many years, I’ve been aware of the urge, the responsibility and the joy of knowing when to shoot. But now, I’m becoming aware of the urge, the responsibility and the joy of knowing when not to shoot… so ironic that I am figuring this out in the most beautiful place that I have ever seen.
The images that you will see in this blog are captured, not when I have the urge to shoot, but rather, when I have the urge to share 🙂 .
Shirin In Avène 