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Hi everyone:
I'm planning a trip to Harbin sometime in March. I'm mulling over staying in the dorms. Does anyone have any positive (or negative) experience with this? I've never been one for being THAT communal, and it would be a bit of a pain to get bed linens, since I live on the other side of the country. Still, the savings might allow me to stay a little longer than I had hoped.
Suggestions?
I'm planning a trip to Harbin sometime in March. I'm mulling over staying in the dorms. Does anyone have any positive (or negative) experience with this? I've never been one for being THAT communal, and it would be a bit of a pain to get bed linens, since I live on the other side of the country. Still, the savings might allow me to stay a little longer than I had hoped.
Suggestions?
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Re: Dorm rooms
Mon, February 2, 2009 - 9:35 PMI chose it once over sleeping out in the cold in a tent. I think I would have been more comfortable in the tent. The beds are very very close together and people were coming and going all night. Of course there was the usual snoring. Some guy decided he needed to tell me his life story, which wasn't very interesting. There is no place to keep your stuff, just barely room for your body. If you do it be sure to have ear plugs so you can get some sleep. -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Wed, February 4, 2009 - 7:31 AMoooh kay. I think you just answered it for me, Andrew! Thanks! -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Wed, February 4, 2009 - 8:15 PMI stayed in the women's dorm for a week a few winters ago and was the only one there. Loved being so close to the pools and Fern Kitchen. Bliss... -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Thu, February 19, 2009 - 5:33 PMPeople I know do this thing where they check in to the dorms
and if it doesn't work out, then they camp.
In March you can luck out and get the dorm with only a few people
(or none!)
and if there's something not clicking,
you can hike up the tea house path
and pitch a tent. -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Thu, February 19, 2009 - 6:31 PMUm, I don't normally travel from Atlanta with a tent in my luggage, Sensei. -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Fri, February 20, 2009 - 2:29 PMYou outta just give it a shot. I've never had a bad experience in the dorm, even when it was almost full. I mean, really all you'll probably do is sleep there. I like and need my own space but I've had times in the dorm when it was really fun with the women I met there. Like a slumber party. I sure wouldn't want to do it for a prolonged period of time, but for a few nights... go for it!
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Re: Dorm rooms
Fri, February 20, 2009 - 2:31 PMOH, and BTW, I have flown in for stays at Harbin with an extra suitcase that was filled with my tent and camping gear. -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Fri, February 20, 2009 - 2:33 PMI should... but I doubt I will. Like you said, I really need my own space. Mainly I need a space to keep my stuff and to write (that's the whole purpose of the trip) and I'd like to do it in a room and not in the library.
Plus I don't want to bother with packing linens or a sleeping bag. -
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This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Re: Dorm rooms
Fri, February 20, 2009 - 8:10 PM
As to writing, there's the library, among other places. Outside (weather seems to be in the high 40's - low 50's right now, and getting warmer) there's all sorts of places which I, at least, would feel creative energy. First time? It's really hard to convey the 'lay of the land' and all the places on the property conducive to writing / thought / exploration, and harder still (much harder) to convey the feeling on the energy of the place. You'll find your patch of ground, so to speak
I've made trips hither and yon where I shipped stuff out in advance. If it doesn't have to be there tomorrow, FedEx can get it there quite cheaply (or UPS, but experience has been mixed as of late). Contact me off list if you want detail / encouragement.
And having the dorms close to the pools is a good thing ... -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Sat, February 21, 2009 - 7:15 PMOh this isn't my first time at Harbin. It's more like my fourth or fifth. Each time I've stayed in a room. I was contemplating the dorms this time, but I think Ill just go with my original plan :)
I would be interested in hearing about some of the more inspiring spots on the property.
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Re: Dorm rooms
Sun, February 22, 2009 - 7:41 PMThe library or the restaurant deck. If it's sunny one of the decks by the pools, the upper deck in particular. Last fall, at least, there were several old-school wooden beach chairs down by the Temple, facing it ..... A powerful place for me was sitting lotus position on the bench under the fig tree by the cold pool listening to the water flowing.
Anyone else ... ? -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Mon, February 23, 2009 - 11:20 AMThe Fire Circle and the Tea House are two of my favorite places. -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Mon, February 23, 2009 - 11:21 AMOH, and the waterfall. There's also a bunch of cool places along the river. -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Mon, February 23, 2009 - 11:55 AM'Cool' being the operative term this time of year! -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Tue, March 10, 2009 - 9:32 PMIndeed. I just got back, and it was COLD and RAINY! Bah! -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Wed, March 11, 2009 - 7:49 AMHope you had a good time anyway. Where did you wind up staying?
I actually really love Harbin in the winter when it's cold. The steam rising from the pools... mmmmm
But, the rain can be a drag. Might need to plan for closer to summer next year huh?
I'm going for the Solstice this year. Already excited! -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Sat, March 14, 2009 - 12:28 PMI did, Michelle. Thanks!
I stayed in Walnut. I'd stayed in that room before and it was quite comfy.
I didn't get nearly as much work done as I'd hoped, but that's hardly surprising.
The steam does make for a beautiful visual, but I'm not crazy about soaking in the rain :(
I've been in the summer before, and I dang near roasted. It can get powerfully hot there in the summer months -
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Re: Dorm rooms
Sun, March 15, 2009 - 8:48 AMGlad you had a good time. Yeah, spring and autumn are my favorite times of year. I especially love the fall there.
I remember during the Harmonic Convengence in 1987 (August) it was about 115 degrees for a few days in a row. I lived there at the time in a tent by the river. So dry and dusty. I was on the massage staff and in those days we worked outside. Ahh, but whenever it comes to Harbin, rain, snow or scorching heat, my memories are sweet.
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Re: Dorm rooms
Sat, March 21, 2009 - 4:02 PMRain? Most of my fave spots were outdoors (sorry). So what became your beloved rainy day retreats?
Of course, warmer and maybe drier than here, and how could going to Harbin not be cool?
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