What to Bring

• Please bring a flashlight for walking around the property in the evening or in case of power outages. A flashlight with rechargeable batteries or one that is recharged through an electrical outlet is best because we have no possibility of recycling discarded batteries.
  
  
• It can be cold in the early mornings, so bring a shawl, sweater or fleece.
  
  
• Bring a metal water bottle which you can refill at Satsanga with purified water. We discourage the use of plastic water bottles. Like most countries, India is drowning in plastic waste, but here there is less infrastructure for recycling plastic bottles.

• As evening approaches, there can be a lot of mosquitoes. Mosquito repellant is readily available in Goa, even herbal varieties, or you can bring your favorite brand from home.
  
  
• Like many parts of India, in our village there are a lot of dogs. On some evenings, especially close to the full moon, the dogs can really bark at night, sometimes for hours. For some people, their sleep is deep, and they don't hear the dogs, but for light sleepers consider bringing earplugs just in case your sleep is disturbed.
  
  
• Regarding what to wear, in Goa it is acceptable to wear summer clothing, such as sun dresses, skirts, tank tops and shorts. If you go to the local Mapusa Market, temples or other places where mostly Indian people gather, it's recommended that you wear something to cover your shoulders. At the beaches, wearing a bikini and other Western swim wear is perfectly acceptable. At Satsanga we ask that you wear your swimsuit at all times while swimming, no skinny dipping or topless sunbathing is allowed out of respect for our Indian friends and staff.

Animal Friends

• We have several pets at Satsanga, many cats and dogs. They all have their immunizations and are very friendly. The cats especially like to visit guests in their rooms (visits can be diverted by keeping doors and windows closed) and both the dogs and cats love to come into the shala and just be a part of the group energy.

Money

• Exchanging money and getting cash from an ATM is easy in Goa. There are cash points/ATM's and currency exchange kiosks at the airport, as well as in Mapusa, Anjuna and Calangute. If you don't already have Indian rupees upon your arrival, definitely exchange some cash at the aiport or withdraw some from the cash point so that you are able to pay your taxi driver. The drivers accept only rupees.
  

• Most shops and restaurants accept only cash; very few take credit cards or traveler's checks, so plan on using cash (rupees) everywhere you go. It is also possible to exchange traveler's checks at the money exchange kiosks.

Phones, Mobiles & SIM Cards

• We have a single landline at Satsanga Retreat that can be used for local calls (calls within Goa, India). It's also possible to buy an Indian SIM card, but you need a copy of your passport, visa and 2 passport size photos. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the transaction and your SIM may be activated right away, or it may take up to 48 hours. The SIM cards that get the best range in our area are Idea and Vodaphone (however, in other parts of Goa these SIM cards may not work at all due to limited coverage in the area). For example, if you'll be heading to south Goa to stay in Agonda or Patnem, Idea has no coverage there. Airtel and Reliance do not work very well in our area.

• You can buy a basic Nokia mobile at a kiosk in Mapusa for between 1200 and 1700 rupees.

• There are also many pay phones along the roadside kiosks where you can make local and long distance calls

Smoking & Alcohol

• We have a designated smoking area in the front garden of Satsanga. We ask that guests not smoke anywhere else on the property. Although we do not serve alcohol, you are welcome to consume it here. Many people are on holiday and enjoy having a glass of wine or beer with dinner. However, if you are part of a retreat and your group leader has requested no alcohol, then we must honor his or her request.

Travel Before or After Your Stay at Satsanga Retreat

• There are two excellent travel companies that can guide you to India's most beautiful and sacred places...
  • Shiva Loka: Tours for Transformation, to visit their website click here
  • The Great Indian Adventure: India = Adventure, to visit their website click here

 

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