Your Best Writing Experience Ever!
Jan 19th–Feb 1st 2014
A 14-day, 13-night Adventure
in Santiago, Chile.
Be inspired relishing a second culture, in a village outside the city, with inspiring writer-editors
Stan Dragland and Beth Follett. Stay
in the home of long-time Chile residents and grape-growers Susan & Gordon
Siddeley.
Sleep, after gazing
at a sky full of stars, waken to the sight of the snow-tipped Andes Mountains, and the throaty crue of
owls.
Writing Workshop Itinerary:
Sunday: Be met and welcomed at the airport and lunch on Merlot, empanadas and Chilean tomato
salad. Walk through the vineyard, explore our lower hill slopes and meet our
wonderful on-site family. In the evening dine on salmon and sip Chardonnay.
Monday & Tuesday: Read, write, listen and discuss during the first Morning Session. Lunch
on traditional soup and salad, relax and enjoy afternoons of free writing,
consultations and possibly a trip to Chile’s famous Jumbo store.
Wednesday: Love our Day Out at the coast! Travelling down Ruta 68, past eye-burning, pink Bourgainvillea, marvel at
the pristine vineyards as we head for Isla
Negra, favourite museum home
of Nobel, prize-winning Chilean Poet, Pablo
Neruda. It’s perched on the cliff tops overlooking the rolling
breakers of the South Pacific. Run your fingers along his desk, appreciate his rooms,
admire his amazing collections. Then, buy arty souvenirs from local writers and
craftsmen in the nearby square. Returning via Ruta del Sol, explore the village of Pomaire where people devote themselves to pottery -making and
afterwards swap notes over tea in a rustic restaurant.
Thursday & Friday: Morning sessions and free-time afternoons. Now is the time to go
walking…enjoy the gardens and hillside views. In the evening
join in a game of Scrabble or our hilarious Dictionary Game!
Saturday: Our 5th morning session, and after lunch, taking advantage of a quiet
weekend (many Chileans go to the beach in January) we head for the City Centre
for an afternoon of sightseeing. This includes the Presidential Palace-La Moneda, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Pre-Columbian
museum. We sometimes manage to squeeze in a drive around Las Condes, passing the impressive
Canadian & American Embassies on our way to Los
Dominicos, a high-end craft market in a historic cloister - a tourist
favourite for shoppers before travelling home.
Sunday The morning is free,
but we have horses! Those who would like, can join us on a ride around the neighbouring hill where the last of the real huasos (Chilean cowboys) live!
After a traditional Sunday lunch of empanadas
we return to Santiago to see Pablo Neruda’s main house in the bohemian Bellavista
District, We usually eat out there, with your choice of restaurant –
choose from chic to the popular Chop
(beer) and Papas Fritas, pub-style eateries.
Week Two: Repeats the pattern of Week One
… Except forWednesday, when we go to Valparaiso, Chile’s amazing world
heritage port; a stunning semi-circle of hills, covered with pastel-coloured houses packed
precariously on the ravine sides. Views are astounding, especially for those
who take a deep breath and ride up in one of the creaky funiculars. Valparaiso is
also the site of Pablo Neruda’s third house. High on a hill, this one so tall
and narrow, tours are self-guided. We usually taxi up and walk down. Also to see
are the unusual Parliament buildings, docks, Naval Headquarters and vivid street murals.
Saturday: The wrap-up session with a
celebratory Despedida (good-bye) lunch and the treat we all enjoy - our own
Folklore Show where the local family so kindly show us how to dance! It is
always as moving as it is brilliant.
Cost: is $160 per day (single room)* inclusive of the workshop sessions,
consultations, breakfast, lunch, Happy Hour, dinner with wine, tea and coffee. Plus:
Free airport pick up and drop off.
Please email motocad@rogers.com
For costs re:
shared rooms and non-workshop participants
Does not include: Airfare, meals eaten ‘out’ or the small charge (about $20 per day-trip)
to cover transport costs.
Medical
insurance - a must!
See more information at Spirit Level Workshop!
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