Spain Trip(2)

Swamini has own Ashram in the centre of Caldes de Mont Bui (a village 20 minutes drive from Barcelona), apart from that, she has also built a Vineyard retreat site in the wild. Let me take you there:

This is the entrance, the sign shows "La Vinya Del Ashram" which means "The Vineyard of the Ashram". Inside there are really grape trees and olive trees. The day before we came, all the olives were just harvested.

This is the camp site. What's special is the tent. It's a genuine "Tepee" or "Tipi" i.e. an Amerian native Red Indian tent. This is not a mimic. Swamini Danda ordered the tepee materials and then following the guidebook, she and her family constructed the whole thing.

The Tepee is supported by 3 or more major wood poles crossing each other tied with a rope at the top, with other supporting wood poles as well. The canvas is then dropped and rolled down from the top. It looks like a simple design, but there's a lot of knowledge in it. It was said that even with heavy rain, not a drop of water can get inside the tepee.

A fire can be set up for warmth. And we can then surround the fire to practise mantra, meditation or pranayama. The first photo shows from right to left Master Milletti, Master Dickson, Swamini Danda and Angelo (M. Milletti's younger brother). The second photo with Taka and Barbara as well.

These are the toilets in the wild. Flushable water closets are installed and they are pretty clean.

This is a little swimming pool for kids.

Swamini plants mint and lavender in the garden, the smell is SO GOOD!
This retreat site may look simple and primitive, but dwelling in it makes you feel closer to nature. We could also feel that Swamini Danda has to put a lot of thoughts into it........