- Retreats
- for Those with
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
- Ontario, Canada
- New Life Retreat,
Center for Renewal and Healing. New Life Retreat
is set on a 100 acre, eco-organic, quiet farm in the
heart of the beautiful Lanark Highlands. Modern,
comfortable facilities await inside this lovingly
restored and renovated country home.
- Environmental
Sensitivities. At
New Life our space is environmentally sensitive in terms
of cleaning products, natural building materials and
smoke-free environment, no perfumes allowed, or scented
body care products. Contact retreat for
- further details. http://www.newliferetreat.com/
-
- Baja, California
- EL SANTUARIO
DE ENSENADA BLANCA
- BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR MEXICO
-
- MCS Contact: selene@slonet.org
- E-MAIL: baja@santuario.com
- WEB PAGE: www.El-Santuario.com
- PHONE: Turning Turtle Tours @ 805
541 7921
-
- Hola,
- Our desire is to offer you a beautiful serene and natural
healing environment. BE STILL AND DANCE is at the heart
of what we offer you, encouraging you to work toward a
quiet awareness of who you really are and what it means
for spirit to become human.
-
- We offer personal retreats for individuals or couples. We
wish to facilitate your stay at El Santuario in a way
that best serves your needs. Whether you care to
have some direction, personal sessions, mediation
practice, or to just 'BE' in this beautiful, natural
environment is your choice.
-
- Our casitas (cottages) incorporate natural materials
allowing them to blend into the surrounding landscape.
Each is palm thatched and has a shaded porch, paved with
handmade adobe blocks. Double dutch doors and 8 feet of
windows on each side provides a 360 degree view and as
much ventilation as you desire. Each casita
contains either two very comfortable single beds or a
queen size bed, hooks and shelving for clothes and
personal effects, small tables and a light. A cot
can be added to accommodate a third person. Bedding
and towels are provided. Two casitas rest on
the beach while four more are nestled in the dunes, each
with an excellent ocean and island view. All
casitas are private and surrounded by abundant
vegetation.
-
- El Santuario allows you to commune with nature in a safe
and comfortable environment. In creating El
Santuario we have put to use many aspects of a
sustainable life style. Electric power
comes from our solar panels, and while adequate for most
daily use, will not accommodate high wattage appliances.
Let the wind dry your hair and perhaps try growing a
beard! Rechargeable batteries are encouraged and
plugs are only located in our beach side
kitchen. We hope that during your stay you
will become more aware of resource use and experience the
pleasure of walking more lightly on the earth.
-
- The weather is seasonal with
October, November and early December having warm days,
80°s to 90° and warm water, 80° to 85°. Late December
through March are cooler with days 70° to 80° and
nights in the 50°s; occasionally cooler. Typical water
temperature in the winter is 65° to 70°. April, May and
June start getting warmer; water and air temperatures are
similar to October and November. July, August, and
September are hot with days 90° to 105°+ and water
85°+. Water is especially clear and warm in the summer
for great diving and snorkeling.
-
- Our palm thatched composting toilets were designed for
our environment by the Center For Ecological Pollution
Prevention (Concord, MA) and are very pleasant and user
friendly. The nearby showers provide large, bright,
cheery space for your personal needs. Wind-chimes,
hanging plants and hummingbirds enhance even the most
mundane of bathroom experiences! Shower water is
solar heated and while limited (water is our most
precious resource) you will find it more than adequate
for your needs.
-
- A 30 foot diameter carpeted yurt is convenient for
workshops, yoga, massage, dancing, and mediation, as well
as for dormitory style sleeping if the need arises.
It's large thatched roofed adobe porch is a great space
for socializing with an ocean view.
-
- Meals
- Fresh fruits (papayas, oranges, mangoes, dates, limes)
and vegetables (organic whenever possible) as well as
pastas, nuts, cereals, bread, tortillas, cheeses are
offered along with fresh fish. Local goat cheese is a
delicious treat and fresh salsa and homemade tortillas
are almost always available. Drinks include teas, juices,
coffee and water. We encourage you to squeeze your own
fresh oranges and limes for juice. A variety of foods
will be offered for breakfast and lunch with the time,
choice and preparation up to you. For breakfast you might
squeeze juice and pour a bowl of cereal or scramble eggs
and make toast. Lunches may consist of cheeses,
tamales, fresh veggies (tomato, avocado, lettuce) tuna
and perhaps cold salads. Dinner is a hot meal and
includes one or more of the following: fresh fish,
clams, enchiladas, soups, rice, lentils, pastas, beans
and a variety of salads.. Women from the local
village will assist in food preparation, we also
encourage group participation in cooking and
cleanup. If we know your
special dietary needs in advance, we will make every
attempt to fill them. We will provide
meat on request but do not normally incorporate it into
our cooking. Alcohol is not provided but also not
prohibited if used judiciously. We are a smoke and
drug free environment.
-
- El Santuario is not a resort, but rather a place for
inner exploration in nature. We encourage meditation and
contemplation. To heighten your experience it is
possible to take wonderful hikes in the canyons or
mountains, walk or jog the mile long beach, use our fun
water toys to explore the bay, or snorkel off the
point. It is also possible to arrange a boat trip
to explore the islands or the coast with the village
fishermen. However, our main goal is to provide you with
a place in nature in which to nurture your inner spirit.
We request you remain here for the duration of your
retreat and schedule visits to other Baja activities
before or after your stay with us.
-
- Loreto (population 8,000) is
located about 25 miles (45 min) north of El
Santuario. While that is also the closest point for
e-mail and fax/phone we do have access to a telephone for
emergencies. El Santuario is approximately 700 miles
south of Tijuana. At present, Aero California
(800-882 8880) has one non-stop daily flight from Los
Angeles to Loreto. Aero Mexico also provides
flights. It is also possible to fly to La Paz and take a
4 hr bus trip north to El Santuario or to take an 18 hr
bus trip south from Tijuana. Remember, at the airport you
will need a passport or original birth certificate to be
issued a visa. Upon arrival you may either rent a car or
take a taxi. If you plan on taking a taxi please let us
know so that we can make arrangements for the best
possible rate. Rates vary from $8 to $40
U.S./person depending on the number of people.
-
- Rates are $65 per day and
$400.00 per week per person double occupancy, including
meals. Fees for additional recreational activities
such as horseback-riding or kayaking, or for counseling
can be arranged.
-
- Chemical Fact
Sheet
- Plane Flight
- As of March 2001, AeroCalifornia fumigates empty planes
once a month while empty on the ground. Pesticides are
not used in flight while passengers are on board. Use the
bathroom on the plane because the bathrooms at the Loreto
airport reek of pesticides.
-
- Driving
- There is a border crossing between Norte and Sur
California that has been known to spray cars with
pesticides.
-
- The Retreat Center and Casitas
- The six casitas are on or near the beach. Two are near
the casita/bathrooms and four are a short walk away. The
bay is undeveloped. Pesticides have never been used on
the premises except the low-toxicity boric acid. Ammonia
and Windex have been used but can be avoided upon
request. Bedsheets can be washed in pure soap or baking
soda upon request. Periodic windstorms stir up a lot of
dust but other days are crystal clear with blue skies and
water. The casitas have an open-air construction (palm
leaf roof) that cannot be sealed shut. All four sides
have windows that can be opened. Finishes were used in
the casitas in 2001 before the hot summer so should be
outgassed. Walking in the sand to the kitchen and
bathroom will build your leg muscles.
-
- Kitchen
- All four sides are kept open unless there is a sand
storm. Propane used for the stove and refrigerator
quickly dissipates. Water for cooking and cleaning is
transported from a spring and piped into the kitchen
sink. Bottled drinking water is also available. Chlorine
is occasionally used to clean the water pipes but this
can be avoided with advanced notice.
- Hot water is only available through heating on the stove.
- Dawn detergent is used for dishes; you might want to
bring your own tolerated brand of dish soap. Organic
vegetables may be available but cannot be guaranteed.
Bring your own snacks as long as it's not fresh fruits or
vegetables (prohibited by customs). You can even fly in
with a cooler of food. Two dogs and two cats spend time
in the kitchen.
-
- Bathrooms
- Compost toilets are well ventilated. We are very glad to
give the showers a thorough cleaning with baking soda and
lots of fresh water in case of residual fragrances. If
you schedule during a non-busy time, you can have your
own shower. There are no fragrances in the toilet areas
and all cleaning is with baking soda.
- Contents
- Housing