A French Escape ✨ Relaxing Bedtime Story For Sleep with Karissa Vacker

[00:00:10] Hello and welcome back to Sleep Wave. Karissa here with a glorious visualization story to sweep us off to sleep in the south of France. This is our weekly free episode. If you want more Sleep Wave in your life to help support your relaxation and sleep every day, become a subscriber. Details in the show notes.

[00:00:29] In tonight's story, I invite you to curl up and travel to southwestern France on a warm spring day. Here, a woman leaves her everyday life behind to explore the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda in the Dordogne. She takes in the sights, smells, and sounds at her leisure. As the day goes on, she enjoys the pleasure of discovering her own creative impulses away from the pressure of everyday life.

[00:00:59] It's a place where she feels she can breathe and take a step back. Before we begin, our only ad break, which helps make this show possible. To listen ad-free, follow the link in the show notes. For the longest time, I assumed paying a lot for my phone plan just came with the territory. So when I first heard Mint Mobile offered wireless plans for just 15 bucks a month, I genuinely thought there had to be a catch. But after switching myself, I realized there really wasn't one.

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[00:03:25] And we're live on Matchday as Doug reaches for a buffalo wing. He's got it. Oh, and he's gone for a can of Pepsi too. What a finish. There's no doubt about it. It just tastes better. Matchdays deserve Pepsi. Mornings have a rhythm. You can hear it. Feel it. And at Quaker, we fuel it. With 100% whole grain oats. And a good source of fiber in every bowl.

[00:03:54] Helping you turn that rhythm into your soundtrack for a great day. Fuel to start whatever's next. Quaker. Official sponsor of FIFA World Cup 26. Ahead of us jetting off to France, I'd like you to take a moment to settle your body. Just feel the weight of yourself wherever you are.

[00:04:24] And inhale slowly, letting air fill your lungs, expanding your chest and belly. Then, hold for a moment and exhale fully, releasing tension, thoughts, and worries with the outgoing breath. Let your breathing find its natural rhythm.

[00:04:55] In and out. As we get ready to explore this beautiful market town together. I'd had a busy week, working all hours.

[00:05:22] And I decided to take myself away for a few days. I wanted to escape work and go somewhere relaxing but invigorating. This was a rare opportunity to slow down. And I wanted to grab it with both hands. I rolled out the map of France in front of me and took in the cities and the rivers.

[00:05:46] The country seemed crisply defined, its hills marked clearly. There was a lot of pleasure in seeing it like this, on an old map. I could see where there were lakes with rivers running into them. And I took in all the names of the cities and villages. There was something exciting about all these different places I'd never been to.

[00:06:15] It was a country I didn't know well at all. I'd been there as a child, but not since. And I enjoyed the bubbling sense of mystery. I imagined alpine villages and the Mediterranean coast with glistening blue waves. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

[00:06:40] I let my mind wander with images of mountains and rivers that faded into splashes of color. Then I tried not to think too hard about anything at all. Just let my hand float over the map. My fingers felt like they were tingling very slightly as I moved over and then stopped hovering.

[00:07:08] I trusted my instinct. I pressed downwards on the map. Very slowly, I opened my eyes, not knowing what to expect. I had my finger on a town. Sarla la Canada, it said. Often known as simply Sarla. I let the word roll over my tongue.

[00:07:34] I said it out loud, feeling the name like I could taste it. Sar felt smooth, like a cool stone. Then la was a light and crisp sound. Sarla. I had never heard of it, but I marveled at the fact that in all the rural parts of France on the map, the rivers and the mountains,

[00:08:02] I had selected a small town that was quite reachable from the airport at Bergerac. I researched a little more and discovered that the town was developed around a large Benedictine abbey in the Middle Ages. It was perfect. I didn't need to know any more. So, I booked plane tickets to Bergerac and set off for a few days on my French escape.

[00:08:32] On my first day, I woke early in my hotel and set off to explore. The streets were filled with morning light, and though it wasn't hot, there was still a gentle warmth to the whole place. I was struck by the beautiful golden stone that made up the buildings. Many of the houses had heavy wooden doors,

[00:09:01] and the shutters were intricately carved with pictures of flowers and animals. They were closed or just starting to open. I noted the flower boxes with beautiful geraniums and bright colors spilling out, adding color to the streets. That wasn't all. The walls were covered with climbing plants,

[00:09:30] as if they'd been painted on, and I was struck with admiration for how beautiful this sign of life was. I had no plans, but I was willing to see where the day took me. Then, I noticed a sign with an arrow labeled Lantern des Mours in pretty cursive writing. I was intrigued, and so I followed it down the alleyway.

[00:10:00] At the end, I found a tall stone tower, just peeking out from behind the cathedral, and I stood there for a while, taking it in. It was beautiful, and there was so much history to it. The brick was a rich, sooty black at the top, and there were tall windows with thick glass. I read the sign,

[00:10:28] and I learned that most of these lanterns were built in the 12th and 13th centuries. The morsel of information that I found fascinating from the information sign was that the exact function of these structures was unclear. There were no written sources about them. That ambiguity had a certain magic to it,

[00:10:58] something unknown. I liked that the building had kept its secrets for hundreds of years, and now I was there, experiencing it, just standing below and wondering what it could have been, what purpose it had. I thought it might not need a purpose at all. Just to be was enough.

[00:11:28] Next, I wandered down a twisting alleyway. It was starting to get busier in the town, with people going about their daily business, and I could see market stalls in the distance. It was comforting to hear people chatting and setting up for the day. The market began with some pieces clearly made by skilled artisans.

[00:11:57] There were beautiful wooden spoons with visible knots in the grain. I spotted big salad bowls and leather bags. There were soaps, all different types, lavender and bergamot and rosemary, letting out a soft scent. Then it was time for the food stalls,

[00:12:24] and I saw that this was where the townspeople were coming to pick up their produce for the day. Seeing all these different crafts made me think of all the things I liked to make. I hadn't felt inspired for a few years, but I loved making things with my hands. I had done pottery, painting, and a little sewing. I had no desire to sell my creations,

[00:12:55] but standing there at the stall, I remembered the freedom of creating and how special it felt to do my own thing. I felt like by being here, in this small French town where no one knew me or judged me, I was free to change myself. I made a resolution that when I returned, I would pick up one of these hobbies.

[00:13:23] This wasn't a life-changing decision. It was something small, yet felt deeply meaningful. It was as if I knew that it would bring joy to my days. I walked on, happy with my revelation, and I decided to buy some gifts for my family at home.

[00:13:48] There was such delight in choosing something for each person that would suit them perfectly. For my friend Elizabeth, I selected a beautiful leather wallet. It was soft in my hand already, and I imagined it growing softer and softer over time, the fibers loosening like shoulders after a long day.

[00:14:20] Then I decided to buy gifts for my parents. Soon, I saw two large earthenware mugs. Both were a warm shade of terracotta, like the final embers of fire. I was taken by the fact that I could see the maker's fingerprints in both of them,

[00:14:46] just a very subtle indent to the bottom of each mug. There was something of the creator in them. The stall holder wrapped them both up in woven cloth and handed them over to me. I added them to my bag, enjoying the solid weight. I wandered along the stalls, and I found I was hungry.

[00:15:16] As I walked down, I was struck by the mix of different delicious scents rising and becoming stronger. It was incredible to smell the fresh bread and see the piles of golden, crusty baguettes. As expected in France, there was a stall full of different cheeses,

[00:15:45] with wheels of creamy goat cheese all stacked up in pyramids. The vendor cut off a piece and beckoned me over with a smile. I pressed the sliver of cheese to my mouth and its tang was delicious. Très bon. I let my eyes wander over the expansive honey section, with what seemed like hundreds of neat jars.

[00:16:14] Some were gloriously golden, and some were deliciously dark, made with all sorts of fruit. There was a stall just with herbs, all in bundles. There were lavender bundles, thyme, rosemary, dried flowers, and peppercorns in small glass jars.

[00:16:41] Then there were stalls with mushrooms. The scent was delicious and very distinctive, woody and earthy. There were piles of mushrooms in different woven baskets, and I looked at the interesting shapes and colors. Some light brown, and some dark, almost black. I recognized them

[00:17:09] as chanterelles. I watched as a group of women picked up paper bags, and I imagined them taking the mushrooms home and frying them up, all warm and garlicky. There were dried mushrooms strung in nets, and little pots of what looked like mushroom tureen. I kept walking. There was no rush at all,

[00:17:37] and I found that I had a natural pace where I barely thought of anything. I just let the sounds of the vendors chatting and calling to each other swirl around me, enjoying the moment. Further down the markets, I took in the fruit and vegetable stalls, heaving with produce. There were bright red strawberries

[00:18:06] in a vast pile, and huge tomatoes. I saw yellow courgettes, big bunches of onions, and heads of garlic still coated with dirt. I stopped for a minute, pulled out my bag, and then selected a peach. It had caught my eye because of its perfect orangey-red color.

[00:18:34] I had never considered a peach for so long before, but looking at it, it seemed very much like the perfect peach, the perfect color. And when I picked it up between my fingers, the skin had that delicious softness to it, just ripe. I bought the peach, and the woman nodded to me with a smile.

[00:19:03] The skin was still warm from the air. I pressed my nose to it, enjoying the scent. The fruit was so juicy, and the flavor was a delicious mix of sweetness with just a tiny bit of tartness. The balance was magical. I savored every single mouthful down to the stone in the center.

[00:19:33] By the end, there was a lingering sweetness in my mouth. I bought a crusty baguette, too, and the vendor winked at me as she loaded it up with delicious-looking salami and salads. She handed it over, and it was still warm. I wandered down through the town center, and I found a small courtyard with a fountain.

[00:20:04] It was empty and very beautiful, with stunning houses facing me from every side. The shutters were brick red, and everything felt like a picture on a postcard. I took in the fountain, where moss grew in old stone basins, giving the air a fresh smell. The sound of the water flowing and the water flowing was instantly comforting.

[00:20:34] It looked like it had been there for many years. The people of Sarlah didn't seem to stop in this square, and there weren't many tourists around. I was struck by the quiet beauty of this part of the town. Once I felt settled, I dug into my baguette, enjoying the delicious warm bread and the rich salami.

[00:21:03] I washed it down with some cool water and sat for a while, enjoying the sunshine. I was savoring the slow day without caring much about what time it was. After I'd eaten, I walked back to the square, noticing an accordion player. How French, I thought. The music was loud and jolly,

[00:21:32] and people stopped and clapped. I watched for a while, and then I wandered away from the center. I was enjoying this way of moving, from the warm, bustling streets to the shaded, quieter parts, and then back again. It felt like a natural way to enjoy the town.

[00:22:02] I continued my stroll and found myself in a beautiful little garden. The sign read Le Jardin du Plantier. I tiptoed gently and watched the old men who stood around chatting in small circles. A dog sprawled in the shade, and I looked at the different plants and herbs with gravel paths

[00:22:31] snaking through them, the church bells sounding behind me. I found a bench and sat as I looked around the gardens. I felt like quietly observing the town as if this was the best way to enjoy it. I saw a young woman sitting on a wall with a notepad. I watched for a while and saw that she

[00:23:01] was tracing the curve of branches with charcoal, carefully choosing different widths to create different effects. The geometry of the trees above, the soft outline of rooftops peeking above leaves in the town center beyond. occasionally, she squinted, tilting her head and erasing parts

[00:23:30] to change her work. She caught my eye, smiled, and gestured to her pad, and I realized she wanted to include me in her drawing, somewhat shyly, and then I relaxed into the bench. Being drawn made me feel like I was becoming part of the town's fabric. I felt the sun

[00:23:59] on me, but it wasn't too hot. It just warmed my skin and made me feel very relaxed. And I breathed in and out. I tried not to concentrate on anything in particular. I just let the thoughts come and go, and I realized that by doing this,

[00:24:28] colors formed. I started to think of what I would paint when I got back, and the forms came to me very easily. I thought of the smells of the markets and the people I'd seen. The colors moved through my mind, and they were informed by the golden brick buildings and those deep red shutters. colors. I could picture myself squeezing out

[00:24:58] paints and laying out my paintbrushes neatly in a row. I imagined carefully mixing the colors to create the town. Then, I thought about how I would apply the paint to the canvas, starting with thin layers, and then adding thicker ones on top to prevent cracking. I would apply textured paint with a brush or palette knife to capture the

[00:25:27] brick texture I'd seen on the buildings. The scene played out in my head, very leisurely. I opened my eyes and looked at the young woman who was still blending together all the different strokes. Finally, she sat back, satisfied, and rubbed her hands together. She seemed to glow with pride at her work. She smiled at me and gestured for me to come

[00:25:56] over to her. I rose, feeling relaxed and gently invigorated. I looked at the completed picture in her hands. It was simple and very natural, with so many organic shapes and curves, with the movement of the trees and plants. I was there in the center, sitting on the bench. She'd captured my body language and I looked so

[00:26:26] relaxed. Take it, she said, in English, with a nod. No, I couldn't, I said. It's a gift, she said with a smile. You should have it. I thanked her and she took the picture, rolled it up carefully and tied it with a piece of string. She handed it back and I placed it carefully in my bag. The young woman gathered up her things.

[00:26:56] I was amazed by how inspired I felt by the whole interaction. The day was drifting into early afternoon and I returned to the town square. The market stalls had been cleared away and the bars and restaurants on the square had set out tables to the front under bright striped awnings. I sat at a small bar and ordered

[00:27:25] a glass of sparkling water. I got out my notepad and I made a few notes about what I planned to do and create when I returned home. In this way, I was able to spend a couple of hours just enjoying the atmosphere. I then ordered a cold glass of white wine, sipping it slowly as sunset came. I had thought the stone of the town had

[00:27:55] appeared truly golden that morning, but as sunset arrived, there was a brief spell where the light on the buildings was more red. It made the turrets and roofs of the buildings stand out against the sky, and I traced the skyline with my eyes like I was drawing the town. My life back in England felt very far away. I thought of it with a sense of reinvention and

[00:28:25] recreation. I felt excited to paint, and I enjoyed considering it in my head. After I'd finished my drink, I paid and went for a quick stroll to see what I could have for dinner. It was still quite early, but I saw a small restaurant with candlelit tables. It looked cozy and inviting.

[00:28:55] I decided to go inside and walked into the foyer. A friendly waiter pointed to a round table that was perfect. It was just to the side against the wall, ideal for people watching. I took in the selection of other people who had also chosen to eat there, couples and families with children laughing.

[00:29:25] I took a long moment just to take in the surroundings, the colors and the delicious smells. When the waiter came, my French was just about good enough to ask for whatever they recommended and he said they'd bring over the chef's special menu. First was a salad served with crisp greens

[00:29:55] and toasted walnuts. It was delicious, rich, and earthy with a satisfying chew to the nuts. Then there was a mushroom soup with swirls of cream and parsley. It made me think back to all the mushrooms I'd seen that morning, and I wondered if they'd come directly from the market.

[00:30:24] For the main course, I had a delicious duck egg, the meat so tender and rich, and I ate it slowly, enjoying the new tastes. Then there was a cheese board with goat cheese, sourdough bread, and dark fig jam. I felt quite full, but I couldn't resist a dessert.

[00:30:56] By now, it was dark outside, and the glow of the candles was so warm around me, creating little islands of conversation in the restaurant. the waiter served me a selection of desserts to try. First, a small slice of moist walnut cake, a specialty of the region, and then a warm apple tart

[00:31:26] with delicious caramelized edges that melted in my mouth. When it came to desserts, I slowed down. I had been moving slowly through the day, but I wanted to continue this pace and embrace the tastes with my whole body. I breathed in, in, and

[00:31:55] out, letting my shoulders relax. I smelt the caramelized sugar and chewed slowly, enjoying the different tastes. After the final bites, I closed my eyes and took a few slow breaths, feeling a sense of calm in my body. I paid and left

[00:32:25] the cozy restaurant, walking out into the town. At night, Sarla was filled with ornate gas lamps lining the streets, and they gave off a soft light that was comforting as I walked. There were lots of people sitting outside, and the evening still held the warmth

[00:32:55] of the day, as if it were stored in the stone walls. I made my way back to my hotel, slipping down a side street. As I walked, the noise of the central square became a soothing, distant hum. There was no rush at all,

[00:33:26] just my cozy bed waiting for me. And I let each step land with care. The alley lights were dim, painting long shadows on the street. I breathed in the cooler air. In? And out. And

[00:34:00] falling into an easy rhythm. There was space in my mind to take note of the small details, the texture of brick walls, and the pattern of cobblestones. The town of Sarla looked soft at night, and the honeyed stone seemed deeper and redder. The gentle

[00:34:30] shadows reminded me of the charcoal portrait I had in my bag, and I felt a certain lightness to my step because of how much beauty I'd seen that day. I walked on, and as each thought arose, I just let it pass, turned to my breath, and felt the quiet.

[00:35:00] When I reached my hotel, I looked into the glowing foyer and stepped inside. Bye.