Orquevaux

The group photo. Taken on Thursday, September 25th, 2025. On the last night of the residency, a stack of these photos was given out to everyone.

It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I arrived home from the Chateau D’Orquevaux International Artists and Writers Residency. I’ve spent today trying to make sense of the last two weeks, and honestly, it feels like a fever dream happened.

Orquevaux.

Hiking outside the village, you will come across this sign.

The word evokes a multitude of emotions. Joy. Frustration. Accomplishment. Sadness.

I’ve experienced it all over the last fourteen days. All, while staying in a beautiful chateau.

But we need to go back to the summer of 2023.

I saw the email subject line:

Congratulations and welcome to the Chateau d’Orquevaux International Artists and Writers Residency.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I am being accepted into something like this. Even with my luck, I couldn’t believe it. This felt like a dream.

Panic set in soon after. How would I pay for this? Who am I to do this?

The inner critic was so loud that any other voice was drowned out. As a result, I didn’t go in December 2024.

The decision didn’t sit well with me. After trying to find a reason why I couldn’t go, my sister encouraged me to apply again. To my great surprise, I was accepted to the residency again. I took it as a sign from the universe.

In another world, I would’ve been a part of the residency in December 2024. But with this second attempt, I would be taking on the September 16th, 2025 residency.

The months passed by. Euro was paid and all the practicalities covered, from the fees to the plane and train tickets. I just had to get myself to Paris. A long night spent crossing the Atlantic Ocean awaited.

After navigating the labyrinth of Aeroport Charles De Gaulle and a two-hour train ride to Chaumont, two vans arrived at the Chateau d’Orquevaux. Stepping outside and seeing the chateau in front of me. All this time, I thought that I was dreaming. On the contrary, this has become my reality for two weeks, at least. With cheese and champagne to welcome us all to the chateau.

Just after 10 AM on September 16th, 2025. My overnight flight from JFK to CDG had just arrived.

The getting to know each other process began before we all arrived at Orquevaux. From the group chat opened up, to taking the train together at Chaumont. But not before some of us met up at the Gare de L’Est. Given the new experience, I was up for getting beyond my comfort zone and trying to meet my colleagues.

I realized from the start that I was in the midst of talented people. Photographers, painters, and a large contingent of writers. Everything felt so new to me, from talking about the business of art and writing. Trying to find a subject to write about for a presentation at the Writer’s Open Studio. The thought filled me with dread.

I came back to an older idea. My muse, Caterina. It’s been a subject of numerous poems over the last three years. With enough time here, I could bring out the story in a fuller form. There was just one problem.

My imposter syndrome worked overtime.

I kept getting reminded of my lack of qualifications compared to the other items. And the fact that I was doing something that I don’t usually do as a poet. Try to tell a story.

I did the best I could and stood up in front of the rest of the group. With a short excerpt of the twelve pages written. I wasn’t expecting a positive reaction to what I had written, though. Funny when one underestimates himself, that is when the moments of triumph tend to happen.

It wasn’t all about writing, though.

From the many walks around the chateau grounds, to Open Mic Night and Karaoke. The gorgeous model Netta was a real-life muse for a life drawing session, and many conversations were had from the early hours to the dark of the late nights. Even bonfires under pitch black skies where every star could be seen clearly. And wine. Oh, so many glasses of wine.

The chateau, seen as from the site of the fire pit. It’s a bit of a trek from this point to reach the front doors under pitch black darkness.

As the residency wrapped up, the artists got their turn to speak. With five minutes each, then the visits to all the studios. The moment led to more creativity as each note I wrote tried to be poetic. In addition to my separate poem, “Ode To The Artists”. It was a joy to see the artworks slowly come together.

It’s been quite an amazing two weeks. The type that makes you cry multiple times on the last day. As we all got to bond in this peaceful environment. Proving that art can bring us hope in an ever-changing world.

I can’t wait to see what becomes of our respective projects. Hopefully, our paths will cross again on some sunny day.

I can’t close out this post without a few thank yous:

Merci Beulah & Ziggy

Merci, Alice and Antoine. Obrigado Pedro.

Merci Chef Marie, Remy, and the entire chateau staff

Merci, Suzi Q.

Merci Netta

And Merci to every member of this residency.

Everyone mentioned made the last two weeks such a joy. A dream that I don’t want to wake up from.