Sunsets and Spices Indian Writing Retreat Important Information

Transcription

1 Sunsets and Spices Indian Writing Retreat Important Information Where will the retreat be held? Our Indian Writing Retreat takes place in the southern state of Tamil Nadu literally 'The Land of Tamils' - at Tranquil Nest - a family-run eco-resort in the stunning Palini Hills. Tranquil Nest Mangalankombu village Thandikudi Dindugul district Tamil Nadu India Nearest airport: Madurai What accommodation is provided? Accommodation is provided in a range of pretty, purpose built wood and brick buildings within a gated resort. Rooms are comfortable and traditionally furnished. Sleeping accommodation is single-sex shared bedrooms with en-suite modern bathrooms. What will the weather be like? Tamil Nadu enjoys tropical weather throughout the year. From March till October, humidity levels are high with the temperature averaging 38. After the monsoon in November, the climate begins to get cooler and remains so until the end of March, making February an ideal time to visit. If you are not used to tropical sun you are strongly advised to bring high factor sun-cream and loose cotton clothes that cover the skin. The retreat resort itself is located at an altitude of 1200m above sea level so the temperature is cooler than in the surrounding valley, averaging a pleasant 23 all year round. It can get chilly at night so bringing something warm to wear is advisable. What are the facilities for the disabled? Sleeping accommodation and other facilities may involve climbing steps and owing to this we regret we may not be able to accommodate some accessibility requirements. If you have specific needs, it is important that you discuss these prior to booking, to establish whether your needs can be met. What food/meals will be provided? Food provided will be traditional South Indian vegetarian fare, freshly prepared using local ingredients. South Indian dishes are very healthy and are based around rice, vegetables, lentils, and light curry sauces. Dishes such as dosa (a lentil and rice crêpe), idli (steamed lentil rice cakes), saaru/rasam (tomato, tamarind and lentil soup), and sambar (lightly spiced lentil and vegetable curry) are typical dishes of the region.

2 All your meals will be provided during the retreat. Snacks, tea, coffee and water will also be available throughout the day. Breakfast is continental style and consists of fresh bread, a selection of jams and conserves plus yogurt, honey, fruit, a selection of teas, fresh coffee and fruit juice. Lunch and dinner offer a tasty selection of lightly spiced vegetarian Indian dishes. Typically meals might include sambars, daal, idli, dosas, masalas, rice and a delicious desert. What if I have specific dietary requirements? It is important to tell us your requirements before you book so that we can advise whether we can cater for your needs Is alcohol served at the retreat? Drinking alcohol is not a big part of Indian culture and as such Sunsets and Spices is an alcohol freeretreat. Will I be expected to contribute to the house-keeping? No. All the cooking and cleaning will be provided. How do I get to and from the retreat? We can give advice about travel but you need to book your own transport to and from India. For those arriving by air we are able to meet you at Madurai Airport. If arriving by train we can meet you at Madurai Junction Train Station. We can also take you back to the airport or station at the end of the retreat. Most international flights to Madurai will connect via Chennai. If travelling from within India, Madurai is well connected by domestic flights, trains and buses. We will have up to 12 retreat participants to meet so if we can co-ordinate travel that will save us having to wait for others to arrive. For this reason we will suggest an approximate arrival time. How should I dress in India? There are certain cultural customs that it is important to follow in India. Men and women should dress modestly, avoiding tight or revealing clothing and covering cleavage, midriff and legs. It is okay to show arms and shoulders but you will need to cover up in temples and mosques. For women an ideal combination is a modest knee length cotton sun-dress or loose-fitting tunic top which covers the hips, teamed with loose fitting cotton trousers, with a wrap to throw around your shoulders or hair when necessary. For men full length loose fitting trousers and a long or short sleeved shirt is fine. Pavements and walkways can be uneven so high heeled shoes are not recommended. The temperature can reach forty degrees in the valley and surrounding areas so light cotton clothes that cover the skin are best. The dry season in Tamil Nadu is from February to July so you are unlikely to need waterproofs but you may wish to pack a light mac in case. The resort itself is cooler owing to its altitude and can get chilly at night so warmer clothing is suggested for the evenings.

3 What should I pack for the retreat? We recommend you bring the following: Toiletries Towel Loose, light, modest clothing for everyday wear Warm clothing for evening cover-up Hiking gear long trousers, shirt which covers your skin, boots/outdoor shoes covered are better than sandals Light, waterproof jacket (unlikely to be necessary but you never know) Pyjamas Flat sandals comfortable for walking Concealed purse for your money and valuables High factor sun-cream one incorporating an insect repellent is a good idea Insect repellant Hand sanitizer Oral rehydration salts Any medicine you require occasionally or regularly Sanitary protection Indian or international plug adapter if travelling from elsewhere Mobile phone and charger Laptop and lead Paper and pens Your work-in-progress Tamil Nadu guide book Will mosquitoes or other insects be a problem? They can be. February is the start of the dry season so they will be less of a problem than during the monsoon but nonetheless, be prepared and expect to cover up and use creams or other repellants. Can I drink the tap water? No. Drink only bottled or purified water, don t eat fruit or salads that night have been washed in tap water, don t share drinking receptacles and only eat or drink food from a vendor that you trust. The water provided and used for cooking at Tranquil Nest is purified and safe to drink but do not drink from tap water from sinks designed for washing in. I ve heard of Delhi-Belly. Am I likely to get sick? It s not uncommon for travellers in India (and elsewhere for that matter) to suffer from traveller s diarrhea. You can help prevent this by washing your hands well with soap or hand sanitizer before you eat and after you use the toilet. In addition the following will help: Brush your teeth in bottled or purified water Eat food that is freshly cooked and served hot. Don t eat food from street vendors. Drink only bottled beverages and say no to ice, which is made with tap water. Avoid lettuce and other hard-to-clean leafy vegetables Wash fruits and vegetables and peel before eating them.

4 If you do get sick the mainstay of treatment is to maintain good hydration. Bring Oral rehydration salts with you- you can buy these in most pharmacies. You may also want to bring antibiotics so that you can treat yourself if symptoms don t improve. Your doctor can advise you on an appropriate one. Do I need any vaccinations or other special medication? It is always best to seek advice from your doctor and government websites about the recommended vaccinations you need before travelling anywhere. It is recommended that you do this at least three months before you travel. Is India safe? Yes, it absolutely can be Hazel has been travelling in India for many years, often alone and she loves it! The vast majority of people in India are warm, hospitable and helpful. Having said that, it is important to be aware of cultural differences in terms of how you should dress and behave. In addition certain precautions which would be sensible anywhere are advisable. There is a wealth of resources on the internet and in travel guides and reading up on travel in India before you set off is a good idea. Plus at the start of the retreat we will provide you with a full welcome orientation where Anjana and Hazel will talk you through the do s and don ts. You ll have a great time. What language do the locals speak? The official language of the region is Tamil, and street signs, road signs, shop signage etc are often written in Tamil script. People who work in the tourist industry are likely to have at least a basic grasp of English. Is the organiser a published author? Yes. Both Hazel Manuel and Anjana Chowdhury are full-time writers signed with the UK publisher Cinnamon Press. Both have written award-winning novels. How many other people will be on the retreat? Each retreat can take up to 12 participants. Do I have to go to all the workshops and feedback sessions? Workshops and feedback sessions are run to include the whole group and we encourage you attend all of them. Will I have to read my work aloud? We encourage participants to read aloud their work during workshops and feedback sessions. This may seem daunting at first but we encourage and maintain a positive and supportive atmosphere throughout. How many hours a day will we spend writing? On each of the four writing days workshops generally last for two to three hours until lunch-time after which you have the whole afternoon for your own individual writing. You are encouraged to

5 spend this on your work-in-progress and completing any homework assignments from the workshops which are usually in relation to your work-in-progress. You will have one full day-off to use as you wish. How much one-to-one time will I get to talk about my writing? You will have approximately one hour with either Hazel or Anjana during the retreat, during which time you will be able to discuss your work. This time is exclusively for you to discuss your writing and participants have reported that is a valuable part of the retreat experience. Are there printing facilities available? No, we encourage you to be paper-free. For this reason it is a good idea to bring a laptop but do take out travel insurance. Tranquil Nest is perfectly safe and doesn t generally suffer from thefts but it is best to be on the safe side. Make sure that you have a back-up copy of your work in case the worst happens. Is my level of experience right for this retreat? Our retreats are open to published and unpublished writers at whatever stage of the writing journey you are at. What activities will we do other than writing? In addition to writing activities and working on your work-in-progress you will have the opportunity to participate in a range of cultural activities. The off-site activities will include accompanied visits to a Hindu temple, a tailor s market, a fruit and vegetable market, plus a guided day-trek. At the resort you can take part in an Indian cookery lesson, sari-demonstration, Indian puja (blessing), a talk about Indian religion and an Indian poetry and literature evening. All the activities listed in the program are included in the price and include transport. The activities are subject to availability and may be substituted for another (equally exciting) one if necessary. The program includes one full free day where you may choose to enjoy the resort and its facilities, work on your writing, or take an independent day-trip. If you choose to leave the resort, transport can be arranged at an additional cost.