Social Media and Castles
What do you think when you see this photo and fantasize about spending a few months there?
What mental mind-flashes does this picture of a real castle provoke?
I have a number of friends who oppose social media because nice photos mask the reality of messy living. It is damaging, they lament. They have a point, even if most of us do know that our friends don’t post pictures of their shoes every time they’ve stepped in dog shit. And your Facebook friends do NOT usually show you pic of themselves after a big fight with their spouse.
We, as social media users, do know that everyone struggles, just like we do. But, maybe, let this castle picture be a new warning.
When I look at this sun-drenched photo of the south face of the castle now, I’m trying to remember what I thought I’d see inside. Before I stepped across the threshold, I certainly didn’t take time to consider a variety of alternative possibilities. I just quickly “pasted” in the rooms of a doll house.
Here is a 2 minute meditation for you: What grand fantasies does this picture of a real castle raise? What do you envision inside this castle; what – specifically – do you see in your mind’s eye when you look at this photo? If you want to write your answer below, I’ll give you a run down of what it was like for me to see inside. At some point, I’m going to count all the doors and windows, so if you want to hazard a guess, please do. I’ll give you another chance to guess before I post the numbers – I’ll have to think of a prize for the closest guesser. Suggestions welcome.
Oh, Chateau! 
Oooo I see Downton Abbey! A beautiful staircase, oriental rugs, Victorian furniture, heavy drapes…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed Downton Abbey, silly though it was!!! I don’t think I pictured this place quite as grand as that; maybe because I thought of it as smaller than Downton.
LikeLike
Having just been in a few castles (chateaus) in the Loire Valley in May, one of which was still occupied, I’m picturing a huge hall as you walk in, with a library off to the side, a massive dining room with a long table that seats at least 20 guests in front of another fireplace, a rustic kitchen with another huge fireplace, bedrooms up winding stairs in the turrets. No closets, only armoires. Oriental rugs on the stone floors. Massive curtains at the drafty windows. Massive, dark furniture. How am I doing?
LikeLike
No large hall, library off the side, but converted into a flat, small dining room. No rustic kitchen. Good news – no drafty windows! See my next post.
LikeLike