Daka/Dakini Conference ‘09 FAQ

Room Options & Meal Plan FAQ and Sign-Up Information

How do I book my room and meal plan for the Daka/Dakini Conference East?

After reading through this FAQ, you can call Keith, the event organizer of the Shandee Lake Inn to register over the phone, or click HERE to download the Room Options and Meal Plan registration PDF, which is ready to be printed it out and filled out for those more comfortable registering by mail (sending in a check, for instance). You can also email your filled out Pdf to Keith, too.

Either way please call Keith to let him know you’re registering. Keith can be reached by calling (718) 581-9987 and his email is keith {at} catskillmountaininn.com

When is the conference?

This year’s East Coast Daka/Dakini Conference occurs October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2009. The conference begins officially at 10am Friday morning, the 2nd, and ends at 7pm on Sunday, the 4th.

May I arrive early to the Conference?

Yes, you may arrive early to Shandelee Lake in preparation for Friday morning’s early start. In fact, many attendees will be arriving to Shandelee Lake Inn on the evening of October 1st to check-in to their rooms early, enjoy Chef Ettore Mazzie’s pre-conference dinner, and jump-start their conference experience by participating in Baba Dez Nichols and Lawrence Lanoff’s kick-off event, The Divine Activation Sequence.

Where is the conference being held?

Dez, Ben and I have rented an entire 27-room bed & breakfast inn in the Catskills for this momentous occasion.

The Shandelee Lake Inn , owned by chef Ettore Mazzei, is a 27-room Inn located next to Shandelee Lake in Livingston Manor, New York, which is in the heart of the beautiful Catskill Mountains, two hours north of New York City.

The exact address is of the Inn is…

31 Shandelee Lake Road, Livingston Manor, New York 12758

View Larger Map

How do I get to the Catkills?

You can drive to Shandelee Lake Inn or take a bus from New York City’s Port Authority directly to Livingston Manor where we’ll pick you up and shuttle you to the Inn.

Depending on your preferred style of transportation and how much flexibility you want for yourself to sightsee, arrive and leave when you want, etcetera, you have several choices. The two easiest are renting a car or taking the bus.

Renting a car or driving your own vehicle definitely offers the most leeway. However, it is also just as easy (and cheaper) to bus from NYC’s Port Authority Bus Terminal to Shandelelee Lake Inn. Take your pick!

Directions by car from New York City/points South:

Because many of you may be coming in from several airports, Google Map your directions from your particular airport and once you get to I-87, just follow the directions below…

• • Take I 87 North / NYS Thruway to exit 16 Harriman 17 West.
  • Take 17 W for 64 miles exit 96 Livingston Manor.
  • Right / Left / Right on to Main Street.
  • Take Min Street straight up the mountain for 3/5 miles.
  • Make Right on Shandelee Lake Road. You can’t miss us!

To see directions from Google Maps (these ones, btw, happen to be from Reid’s street to Shandelee Lake Inn. Adjust accordingly!) click HERE.

Directions by bus from NYC:

• • Take Short Line from Port Authority NYC to Livingston Manor, NY.
  • Call Keith at (718) 581-9987 to let him know when you’ll be arriving so we can send a shuttle van from the Inn to the Bus Stop to pick you up.
  • Click HERE for Short Line/Coach USA’s schedules.

Which airport should I fly into?

You can fly into any of the major New York area airports - JFK International airport, LGA International airport in Long Island, NY, or Newark’s Liberty International airport (EWK) in Newark, New Jersey.

If you’re planning on flying in and taking the Short Line/Coach USA bus from NYC’s Port Authority Terminal directly to Livingston Mannor, then flying into Newark International might be easiest. Take a shuttle directly to NYC’s Port Authority and a bus to Livingston Manor where we will pick you up and take you to Shandelee Lake Inn. (Please research the bus schedule from Port Authority to Livingston Mannor and book your flights accordingly since busses run to the Catskills only a few times a day.)

Albany’s International Airport is also an option, especially if you’re planning on renting a car and driving.

I heard rumor of a charter bus leaving Grand Central Station, NYC, heading to Shandelee Lake Inn on Thursday afternoon, Oct 1st. Is it true?

Yes, it’s true! It’s true!

Dez and Reid have chartered a coach bus up to Shandelee Lake and nick named it “The Activation Bus!” We’ve got enough people heading up Thursday night, so why not  kick-off our conference a little earlier, right? Let’s begin our rest and relaxation and bonding a few hours earlier and arrive in the Catskills in time to devour the fabulous meal Ettore will have awaiting us!

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Purchase your bus tickets in advanced for $32 or pay $35 in cash when you show up at the bus.
2. Get yourself to Grand Central Station at the Great Clock/Info Kiosk inside by 4pm when we leave together to walk to the bus a few blocks away (we can’t park the bus at Grand Central, sadly).
3. If you miss us at Grand Central, get your butt to 42nd Street and 3rd Avenue, the North East corner, no later than 4:15pm to check in and get on board!
4. We leave at 4:30pm with or without you.

If you were originally planning on coming up Friday and want to change your mind, no problem. Just purchase an Activation Bus ticket and call Keith to book an extra night and the Thursday night dinner! See you on the bus…

What if I miss the “Activation Bus” or want to come up later? What are my options?

Your options are to drive yourself or take the bus.

Please be aware that Shortline Bus only runs three buses up to Livingston Manor and two buses back to New York City each day. Plan accordingly.

And when you arrive to Livingston Manor, or need to leave, please let Keith know so we can come pick you up where the bus drops you off in Livingston Manor. You’re just a few minutes walk away from Shandelee Lake Inn, but it’s so much nicer if we just scoop you up, and it’s our pleasure to!

Keith’s number, again, is (718) 581-9987.

Is there a Ride Share Board and Room Share Board?

Yes, go HERE if you’re looking to share a room or a ride.

Will we have to share the Inn with anyone else, like we’ve had to in past conferences held in hotels?

Nope! No way! We’ve got the entire place to ourselves!!!

Why aren’t we having the conference in a big, fancy hotel?

One of the things I wanted to do in creating this year’s Daka/Dakini Conference East was to create an intimate and immersive community-driven experience where none of us had to worry about being anything but 100% our sacred and divine selves! I also wanted to create a space where we could also let our hair down and “take the weekend off,” if that’s what you need.

Being the community geek that I am, that meant creating an event where none of us had to worry about making “non-Tantra” types feel uncomfortable, where we could share as much quality bonding time together as possible, and where we could nurture, nourish and rejuvenate ourselves by being close to nature.

After looking at several places in and around the New York area, Dez, Ben and I settled on the Shandelee Lake Inn!

An Inn in the Castskills Mountains? Sounds kind’a rustic. Reid understands that I need hot water, right!?

Don’t worry. Shandelee Lake Inn has hot, running water and indoor plumbing, I promise! And it’s got that quaint, unique feel that you’d expect of a one-hundred year-old inn in the Catskills. Clean, crisp, autumn air. Rustic setting all to ourselves. And wireless internet, too, even…. See, I thought of everything. *grin*

What other amenities does Shandelee Lake Inn have?

Besides Ettore’s gourmet catering, Keith’s extraordinary event managing, and the crisp, clean, mountain air, Shandelee Lake Inn offers swimming in their Olympic size pool, soaking in their 8-person hot tub, as well as a conference full of some of the yummiest and most talented Tantra people in the world.

Besides the amazing presenters that Dez and Ben have lined up for us, you’ll also have access to fishing & boating on Shandelee’s 145 acre lake, hiking on the many nearby trails, mountain biking, star gazing, leaf peeping (remember, it’ll be Autumn!) as well as the evening campfires I’ve got planed!

Who’s bringing the marshmallows?

And, for those of you who are in the mood for more than just yoga and yab-yum: Shandelee Lake Inn also has wiffle ball, baci ball, volleyball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and foosball available… Dakas vs. Dakinis anyone?!

Does my conference fee include meals and lodging?

No, your conference fee and registration through the Sedona Temple website does not include meals and lodging. In addition to your conference fee, each and every conference attendee will be responsible for securing their own accommodations and meals.

The good news is this: I’ve taken great pains to make room and board easy, affordable, and fun by creating several Room Rental Options and a can’t-be-beat Meal Plan, all under one roof!

Each of the options has been created with the intention of making our weekend together stress-free, cost effective, transformative and fun! In the service of fostering community bonding and creating a weekend where you don’t have to “think,” you’ll be able to enjoy your entire conference experience without having to leave the Inn’s grounds unless you want to (or unless all of the rooms and sleeping arrangements get entirely booked up - Hint, hint: register for your rooms early!).

ROOM RENTAL OPTIONS for the CONFERENCE

How do the Room Rentals at Shandelee Lake Inn work?

There are a limited amount of rooms at the Inn. Each is unique. Some with their own private bath, some with a shared bath, some with one bed, some with several.

In anticipation of people’s preferences for privacy and other’s need to keep things “on the cheap,” I’ve designed what I think is a win-win for everyone!

I have come up with a range of room selections and costs. These rooms will sell out and are being booked on a FIRST PAY, FIRST SERVED basis.

To guarantee you get the room/sleeping situation of your choice, book early.

Can I share my room with other people?

Yes. You are welcomed to share your room accordingly and can place as many people in your room as you want, but the entire room charge and responsibility for that room will go to one person for simplicity sake.

Please consider booking one of the two Dorm Rooms if you have a particularly large group of people who would like to share sleeping accommodations (see info below).

If you don’t have a group of people to share a room with and you’re on a budget, please consider camping out in the community room where we can fit you and your sleeping bag and/or air mattress.

Register early for the option of your choice to avoid losing the opportunity of staying at the Inn!

Is there a Room Share Board and Ride Share Board?

Yes, go HERE if you’re looking to share a room or a ride.

Can I pay for my room when I arrive at the conference?

No. All rooms and meals must be paid for in-full, in advanced.

Is there a payment plan available for Room Rentals and the Meal Plan?

Yes, payment plan situations are available, by arrangement, with Keith, just contact him at (718) 581-9987 to do so.

Where do I find the downloadable Pdf form for registration?

Click HERE to find the downloadable Room Option/Meal Plan Registration form.

Do I need to book my room early or can I do it when I show up at the conference?

Rooms will sell out! Book your rooms early, divine beings!

If money issues are looming over you, contact me at Reid {at} ReidAboutSex.com or Keith at keith {at} CatkillsMoutainInn.com, and let’s talk.

Remember, if you wait till the last minute to “take care of business,” we probably won’t be able to help you that much, so please don’t wait!

Is my room included in the price of the conference?

Your room is not included in the conference registration fee that you paid when you registered through the Sedona Temple or School for the Temple Arts websites.

What are the various Room Rental Options does Shandelee Lake Inn have available?

Again, we’re anticipating close to 200 people attending this East Daka/Dakini Conference. Once the Inn is full, late-comers will have to book accommodations at one of the nearby hotels which will cost more per person and not have the luxury of three, uninterrupted days living and learning and socializing communally!

Room Breakdowns:

20 rooms with private baths                            $100 per night

5 rooms with shared baths                                 $80 per night

2 Dorm Rooms, sleeps 6 people                      $150 per night

Community room                                              $40 per person per night

(sleeping bags & air mattresses not provided)

Each room at Shandelee Lake Inn is unique. Some rooms have 2 double or single beds, some have 1 queen bed, and will be assigned to those who make specific requests while they last. The dorm rooms have several beds set up to sleep six. The Community Room is the cheapest option available (unless you’re sharing a room with a group). The Community Room, as well as any room shares above what beds are available, will require conference attendees to provide their own sleeping bags, air mattresses and bedding.

Shandelee Lake Inn regrets that it will not be able to provide roll-away beds to room shares and Community Room guests.

To ensure that you get the room arrangement that you would prefer, REIGSTER EARLY! Rooms will be assigned on a FIRST PAY, FIRST SERVED BASIS. Reid, Ettore, Keith, Dez and Ben will have limited abilities and resources to assist late registrants once rooms are booked up, so register asap!

Can I get a room with it’s own private bath?

Yes. Shandelee Lake Inn has 20, unique rooms that come with private baths. These rooms will sell out, so please book them early. The cost of a room with private bath is $100/night and, depending on availability, come with either a queen sized bed or two double sized beds.

As stated, you can share your room with several people to lower costs for you and your group; however, our firm request is that payment be made in advance of the conference and payment be made through one individual to keep things simple.

Roll-away beds and extra mattresses will not be available, so please alert your room-sharing roommates to bring a sleeping bag or bed roll for themselves if you end up sharing your room with more than two people to a room!

Also, as stated, payment plan situations can also be made available by arrangement with Keith, just contact him at (718) 581-9987 to do so.

I have a large group of people who would like to share a room, what should I do?

Please consider snatching up one of the two “Dorm Rooms” that will fit at least 6-people easily.

You are also allowed to share your room with more than two people (or six, if you’ve booked a Dorm Room); however, for simplicity sake, Keith and Reid ask that one person be responsible for paying for the room and that all rooms and meal plans be paid for in advance before the conference begins.

Hotels and Motels are famous for frowning on sharing your room with a bunch of people. Are you sure the Inn’s owner is okay with it?

So long as there is one person responsible for the payment of the room and, to borrow a phrase from the Boy Scouts, “you leave the campsite better than you found it,” you have Ettore, Keith and Reid’s blessing to share accommodations according to your needs and desires.

Shandelee Lake Inn regrets that it cannot provide extra bedding and mattresses above what each room comes equipped with, nor does it guarantee that each room comes equipped with space to sleep more than four unless stated otherwise.

Do I need to bring my own bedding and sleeping gear to the conference?

Perhaps.

Each room, with the exception of the Community Room, comes complete with it’s own comfortable bedding and fresh linen. Requests for rooms with queen sized beds or two double sized beds will be accommodated on a first pay, first served basis.

To see a few examples of Shandelee Lake Inn’s unique, country-style inn rooms, go HERE.

Those opting for the Community Room sleeping arrangement are required to bring their own bedding, sleeping gear and towels. Reid also recommends that you bring some ear plugs, too, just in case!

Those who opt to share their room with more than two to four people are also responsible for providing whatever extra sleeping gear, bedding, and bath towels they will need to make their conference experience restful.

Bring an extra towel so you can enjoy the pool and hot tub too!

What if I don’t want to stay at the Shandelee Lake Inn? Are there other accommodations in the area?

Yes. The Shandelee Lake area is home to several bed and breakfasts and a few hotels within a short drive.

Here are Ettore’s picks:

Oz B & B
845-439-3418 www.ozbandb.net - two hundred yards from Shandelee Lake Inn

Day Inns Liberty, NY
15 miles from Shandelee Lake Inn. 845-292-7600

MEALS and the MEAL PLAN for the CONFERENCE

Do I have to sign up for the meal plan?

Since we have the entire Inn to ourselves and because one of the intentions of the weekend is to foster spiritual and sex-positive community, Reid strongly suggests that everyone sign up for the weekend’s yumm-o-licious meal plan and share meals!

From Reid: You don’t have to sign up for the meal plan but, trust me, the food itself, the convenience of not having to change clothes and schlep into town to eat, and the communal bonding experience of sharing meals will be well worth the money spent and deepen your conference experience!

Here’s some basic info on the meals:

• Your meal plan includes 8 Conference meals: Fri & Sat breakfast lunch & dinner; Sun Breakfast & lunch.
• All meals with be whole foods including chicken and fish served buffet style with coffee served upon request.

• Water coolers are available for use in the lounge.
• All meals will be served with china, silverware & glassware.
• The dining room in the evening is set with linens & candlelight.

What does each meal consist of?

Each meal consists of:

Breakfast
Friday, Saturday and Sunday will consist of Continental Breakfast plus Omelettes, French Toast & Hash Brown Potatoes!!!!

Lunch
Friday, Saturday and Sunday will consist of a fresh green salad, fresh soup, sandwiches and wraps & fresh vegetables; steamed, sautéed or grilled!!!!

Dinner
Friday and Saturday (as well as the optional Thurs and Sunday meals) will consist of a fresh green salad, vegetable crudite with dips, 1 entrées (chicken or fish) & fresh vegetables; steamed, sautéed or grilled & dessert plus wine!

That’s eight meals you don’t have to leave the Inn or change your clothes for or miss a single moment of, for the entire weekend!

To review, your meal plan for the conference includes the following:

• Full breakfast: Fri Sat & Sun
• Lunch: Fri, Sat & Sun
• Dinner: Fri & Sat

Additional Meals are available for purchase: For those arriving early and staying late… Thursday & Sunday evening’s celebratory “kick-off” and “wrap-up” dinners (with wine)

How much does the meal plan cost?

The Conference Meal Plan total per person for the weekend is $ 150 per person

To sign up for the meal plan, use the Room Option and Meal Plan downloadable pdf form HERE. And remember to call Keith at (718) 581-9987 so he’s got you on his radar!

If I arrive on Thursday or want to stay Sunday night, will additional meals be available?

Yes, Ettore has been kind enough to arrange for two additional dinners for those arriving to the Conference early and/or leaving late. Thursday & Sunday evening’s celebratory “kick-off” and “wrap-up” dinners (with wine) will be $30/pp extra, per meal. If you’re staying for the post-conference intensive, there is also an extra meal Wed night for the same price.

If, for whatever reason, I’m not staying at the Shandelee Lake Inn, can I still partake in the meal plan?

Yes!

In fact, I recommend it.

Even if you’re planning on staying at another hotel or Bed & Breakfast, do the meal plan because not only will it make your life so much easier, Ettore has been a chef for years, and believe me, you want to eat his food!

To sign up for the meal plan, use the Room Option and Meal Plan downloadable pdf form HERE, just don’t check off any of the Room Options and don’t forget to call Keith at (718) 581-9987 so he’s got you on his radar!

My friend is in charge of renting the room we’re sharing, so I don’t have to book a room but I do need to book and pay for my Meal Plan. How do I do that?

To sign up for the meal plan, use the Room Option and Meal Plan downloadable pdf form HERE and just don’t check off any of the Room Options. And don’t forget to call Keith at ((718) 581-9987 so he’s got you on his radar!

What about the Post Conference Advanced Practioner’s Intensive? Will we have a meal plan for that as well?

Yes, there will be a Post Conference Advanced Workshop Intensive Meal Plan as well. It will be similar to the Conference Meal Plan with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Monday and Tuesday, and Breakfast and Lunch on Wednesday. It will be $150 for those eight meals. For those of you wishing to stay an extra night, Wed night’s dinner, which includes wine, is also available for an extra $30/pp.

To learn more about the post conference’s Healing the Wounded Feminine with David Cates, Betty Martin and Reid Mihalko, click Here.

What do I do if I have special food and dietary needs?

There will be vegetarian options at all meals, as well as omnivore options for those of us who consume pretty much anything.

If you have special dietary needs and would like to partake of the meal plan, please contact Keith in advance at (718) 581-9987 and discuss with him what your needs are. It will be our pleasure to accommodate you if we can!

Are there other restaurant options in case I want to dine off-premises during the conference?

Yes, there are restaurants and diners in the area that you can drive to if you want to eat off-premises. We will have a list of those restaurants available during the conference, but be forewarned that you will have to drive to them since they aren’t within close walking distance (less than 5-minutes).

I’ve registered and paid for my Room and Meals. I’ve called Keith and he knows I’m coming. I’m all done, right?

Perhaps.

Have you registered with Sedona Temple for the actual conference? Paying for your rooms and meals does not include the fee for attending the conference. So, basically you’re on Ettore’s and my radar, but not on Ben and Baba Dez’s radar yet.

And we need you on both!

Don’t fret. You’re almost done… If you haven’t registered for the actual conference, you can Register for the Conference itself by going HERE. The registration links are a ways down the page, so just scroll down a bit and you’re there!

What is Shandelee Lake Inn’s Cancelation policy?

To keep things synergistic and smooth for the Daka/Dakini Conference East, Shandelee Lake Inn has adopted the same cancelation policy as Sedona Temple. The cancelation policy for room reservations and meal plans are as follows:

• • Full refund if cancelled 1 month prior event
• • 50% refund if cancelled 2 weeks prior event
• • No refund when canceled 2 weeks or less to event

Questions or concerns can be addressed to Keith at (718) 581-9987 or keith (at) catskillmountaininn.com.

I’ve read through this FAQ several times and I still have questions. What should I do?

For Room Options/Meal Plan Questions or stuff Ben at Sedona Temple doesn’t know the answer to:

Contact Keith at (718) 581-9987. If you stump Keith, contact Reid at 917.207.4554 or reid (at) reidaboutsex.com.

For all problems with Registration for Meals and Rooms, payment plans, credit cards and the like:

Contact Keith at (718) 581-9987 or keith (at) catskillmountaininn.com.

For questions and issues with the Conference and Conference Registration:

Contact Ben at Sedona Temple at 928-282-8511 or mail (at) sedonatemple.com.

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