A few thoughts on the Sardinian Writing Retreat

Friends and family ask me about Sardinia. How was it, what did I learn? Any fun moments to share? When I hear the question, a big smile lights up my face. And I can’t stop smiling while I tell my stories again and again. It was wonderful, amazing, intense, too short, filled with laughter and sharing and emotions, it was sunny and windy, it was private and it was shared, it was better than anything I’ve even imagined when I first mentioning I’d go there!

But I somehow feel they can’t fully understand it. Such an experience needs to be embraced (Joanna and Emma, did you think of who I think you did when you saw this word? :D ), seen, heard, taken in with every breath. I’ve enjoyed each moment of it so much, that I actually cried when I found myself alone in the cab, going to the Olbia airport. I haven’t done that after a trip since high-school! Incidentally, it was another trip to Italy.

Joanna Young is everything you imagine her to be when reading her blog, tweets and comments. And much more. Same goes for Emma Bird. These lovely ladies are, in a word, amazing. But a word is never enough to describe someone, is it? Nor are twenty, or a hundred. Ca La Somara is the perfect place for such a retreat. Peaceful, but never really silent. Bright and sunny, but with a cool, constant breeze. Sardinia is alive and the skyline is indeed dramatic. Beaches are hard to find, the more beautiful they are, the harder to find they become. The food is amazing, the massages are just right, the restaurants are welcoming and again, great food. The read wine is exquisite and I should know, I’ve drunk during this week more than I normally do in a year.

We had donkeys, dogs and cats. We had incredible people to share everything with. We had confident, absorbing, surprising, deep words scribbled on paper, be it real or virtual. We had screenplays and novels and poems and songs. We made some wonderful friends along the way. We also ran into the usual sad, angry and judgemental few. But we ignored them! We experienced the famous transportation strikes but talked our way into a refund and went to the competition. We laughed so hard and for so long, one would have said we’re making stacks to last us a year.

In the next few days, I’ll try to show you as best I can what this Sardinian Writing Retreat was about. I’ll share what I’ve learned about myself and the world, I’ll share the dreams and fears I’ve taken there with me, and the new dreams and hopes I’ve come back with. There will be photos, the occasional inside jokes and lots, lots of happiness! Make sure you tune in!

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19 Other Comments

This post has 21 comments

  • Brad Shorr

    Hi Alina, Welcome back. So glad the retreat surpassed expectations. Can’t wait to hear more and see pictures.

  • Alina Popescu

    Hi Brad, thanks for the warm welcome! I can’t wait to tell the story :)

  • Ulla Hennig

    Alina,
    I am looking forward to hear more about the retreat! I actually thought about participating, but then had to take other priorities.

    Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Water Buffalo – slow but steady!

  • Joanna Young

    Alina, what an amazing write up of what was a wonderful week… can’t remember when I last laughed so much or learned such a lot ;-)

    Hope we can meet up again before too long…

    Joanna Youngs last blog post..Stick-To-It-Iveness: Guest Post by Lillie Ammann

  • Alina Popescu

    Oh, Ulla, it would have been lovely to have you there! Anyway, you can still go in September! I’m already plotting and planning to make sure I can come for a rematch :)

    Joanna, you are right, lots of laughter, lots of learning. I’d also add lots of dreaming :) Thank you again for everything!

  • Karen Swim

    Alina, welcome back! Thank you for bottling up the warmth, laughter and reflection and sprinkling us with the drops here. Your words and the spaces between the words convey what a magical time you had. I am so glad you had the opportunity to experience it.

    Karen Swims last blog post..Down the Rabbit Hole and into the Archives

  • Lillie Ammann

    Alina,

    I’m so glad you got to participate in the retreat and delighted that you shared a little flavor of it with us.

    Lillie Ammanns last blog post..Guest Post at Confident Writing

  • Karen Putz

    Ah, sounds like an amazing retreat!

    Karen Putzs last blog post..Deaf Nation and SOBCon’09

  • Alina Popescu

    Hi Karen! You are right, the spaces are also an important part of my experience :) I hope you can guess the treasures they hide!

    Hi Lillie! Sharing it is also a way of reliving it, so I guess there’s a selfish bit in it all!

    Karen P, hi! Sometimes I think I lack the proper words to express how amazing it’s been!

  • Joely Black (@TheCharmQuark on Twitter)

    It’s lovely to have you back! I would have loved to go to Sardinia with you. It’s been years since I’ve travelled properly.

    J xx

    Joely Black (@TheCharmQuark on Twitter)s last blog post..The value of living different lives

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • wilson

    Finally, you’re backed from Sardinia, Italy! How’s the trip, Joanna? Based on the photo, I can see that you’ll have many stories to tell us here, isn’t it? Can’t wait to hear it right away…
    wilsons last blog post..For The Health’s Sake, You Should Stop Eating the Hot Breads Fresh Out of the Oven!

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • --Deb

    Glad to have you back, Joanna!

    –Debs last blog post..Putting Together the Pieces

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • Karen Swim

    Hi Joanna! Your absence was deeply felt! The guest posts were spectacular but we all missed your comments and tweets. I have just read Alina’s write up and it sounds like the retreat was perfect. Looking forward to the days ahead and learning more about this magical time.

    Karen Swims last blog post..Down the Rabbit Hole and into the Archives

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • J.D. Meier

    Welcome back!

    It looks like you had great scenery … which is always great inspiration.

    J.D. Meiers last blog post..Author a Distinctive Story

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • Lillie Ammann

    Joanna,

    Welcome back. Looks like the retreat was fantastic.

    Lillie Ammanns last blog post..Guest Post at Confident Writing

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • Joanna

    Joely Thank you! I haven’t travelled properly for a while either… it’s a great way to feed the soul and get the words flowing. I love it when they turn up unbid just because you’re sitting in a train or a pavement cafe
    wilson yes finally I’m back;-) Stories to follow

    –Deb thanks, and for helping out when I was away It made it easier to switch off

    Karen it’s strange you know, I missed the depth of interactions I normally have online, but at the same time was glad of the break. I’m also re-remembering how hard it is to get back into it again… like joining a party late. It’s good to know there are friends out there who want you just to jump back in again

    J D yes, great scenery is always a great source of inspiration to me too. And it’s not bad getting the chance to swim in the Med either
    Lillie thanks for the welcome, and everything you’ve done here. I see the comments section has been keeping you busy!

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • Davina

    Welcome home Joanna. I imagine you’ve returned, your mind brimming with new ideas for posts. Right?

    Davinas last blog post..Positively Breathing — Not According to Plan

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • Conor

    Welcome back Joanna

    Conor

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • Alina Popescu

    Hi Joanna! Thank you for linking to my post on the retreat! I’m so happy all got sorted out quickly with the website! I know it wasn’t easy to deal with it from Ca La Somara

    The photo is amazing by the way! Can’t wait to download, review and upload mine and see the rest you and the others took!

    Alina Popescus last blog post..A few thoughts on the Sardinian Writing Retreat

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • Janice Cartier

    Ooh just look at that beach… isn’t it fabulous when you show up and let treasure come to you… in a cafe, on a beach, or with like minded people? Bet it was just scrumptious.

    Welcome back.
    Janice Cartiers last blog post..Deconstruction and Possibilities

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

  • Joanna

    Davina yes, indeed, and maybe even some poetry too. I haven’t forgotten your challenge
    Conor thanks
    Alina yes, trying to talk to tech support from an agriturismo when I was so relaxed was a bit of a challenge Thanks so much for what you’ve written about our week’s experience. You captured it so well.

    Janice the treasure of like minded people was the best bit of all

    This comment was originally posted on Confident Writing

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