JOURNEYS OF DISCOVERY
                     Presents
   Radical Writing in Oaxaca, Mexico
    Explore your Spirituality
   Within the Spirit of Mexico
    
A Radical Writing Retreat Adventure
         with Laura Cerwinske
                        Oaxaca City, Mexico

                    May 7 – 15, 2010
This writing retreat and Mexican adventure might be called “the vacation that changed, or, perhaps, healed
your life.” You’ll be soaking up inspiration and sunshine as Radical Writing author, artist, publisher, and
teacher of transformational healing Laura Cerwinske introduces you to the simple yet powerful process of
expressive exploration.

Oaxaca City, a UNESCO world landmark is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. The tour will
introduce you to the traditional life of present day Zapotec’s and Oaxaca’s rich cultural diversions, colorful
outdoor markets, spirituality, native healing techniques, museums, and colonial architecture. Oaxaca is world
famous for its cuisine and local healthy food. There will be plenty of shopping time in the nearby local villages
renowned for their traditional wood carving, pottery, and textiles. Free time will offer you choices among local
healing therapy’s, hiking in the Sierra Madre, horse back riding, and other special Oaxacan activities. One
highlight will be visits to the impressive sacred sites of Monte Alban, Mitla and Yagul guided by a local shaman.

What is Radical Writing and how does it work?

The insightful process Laura teaches requires NO writing experience or expertise. Rather, Radical
Writing is a creative technique for spiritual power-building that simply involves a willingness to
allow your imagination to safely direct you toward a new way of experiencing your life. Something
potent happens when you simply allow your fingers — rather than your mind — to express your
ideas and emotions. You gain detachment and power and learn to create new worlds out of your
imagination. You can apply Radical Writing as a diagnostic and healing technique or as an easy tool
for expanding creativity.
Learn more at : http://www.radicalwriting.com

The daily writing sessions with Laura will consist of:

1. Introduction and instruction in the Radical Writing Process
2. Imagining your experience
3. Focusing your senses in preparation for your adventure
4. Absorbing the spiritual meaning of the sites         
5. Absorbing the effects of the art
6. Discussing with others the effects of your writing and your insights
                             THE ITINERARY and PROGRAM
                                
                                 Friday May 7th       D
                                 Arrival day, Group transfer from airport to Hotel Huayapan Yuu Spa,
                                 in the village of San Andres, nestled at the foot of the Sierra Madre
                                 with an incredible mountain view, and only 5 miles from Oaxaca City.
                                 Dinner will be served at the hotel dinning room this evening.  
                                     
  Website: Hotel Huayapam Spa


                          Saturday May 8th       B,L,D
Breakfast served in the hotel every morning from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Orientation and writing session    9 a.m. – 11:30 am

12:00 – 4:30 p.m.       
Today we will begin our immersion into this rich cultural and spiritual region by
visiting a traditional Zapotec community at Teotitlan del Valle. There, we will be
shown an extraordinary 16th century church and learn the meaning of its symbols
from both pre-Columbian and Christian eras. Next, we will visit La Cuevita, an
historic cave claimed to be the source of original life in the region and respected
as one of its most vital spiritual centers. After a lunch of fresh, locally grown and
traditionally prepared foods, a family of Zapotec weavers will demonstrate their
weaving techniques using natural dyes. Following some shopping time and rest,
dinner will be in the hotel dinning room.    Writing session 8 – 9:00 PM        
 
Sunday May 9th    B,L,D            9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  
A Oaxacan Shaman will lead us to ancient sites in the valley where he will discuss Zapotecs &
Mixtec techniques of energy healing. Afterward, we will visit the ancient sacred sites of Yagul &
Mitla. A delicious lunch awaits in the traditional restaurant Donaji outside the town of Mitla. We
then return to the hotel and have afternoon time for ourselves.  Writing session 5 – 6:30 PM.  
Dinner will be in the hotel dinning room.       

Monday May 10th     B,L,D
From 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m the hotel restaurant’s chef provides a cooking class on how the
famous Oaxacan tamales are made. Afterward we’ll enjoy the results of our new skills at lunch
followed by leisure time in town.
Writing session 5 – 6:30 PM                
Dinner will be in the hotel dinning room.    
Tuesday May 11th       B,L,D        10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.  
This morning a Oaxacan Shaman enlightens us as to traditional methods of spiritual cleansing and healing.
Afterward we take in a lunch of freshly made quesadillas with squash blossoms at a café nearby. The
afternoon will be free for those interested in optional activities including:

A traditional Massage & Temazcal (sweat bath with hot stone steam and herbs) within the hotel.
Relax by the hotel pool or by thewaterfall in the tropical solarium
A hike to the San Felipe mountains
A visit to a private Orchid Garden in the village
Horse back riding or bike riding
Dinner will be in the hotel dinning room.   
Writing session 8 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday May 12th       B,L         Depart 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
We begin today with Monte Alban where we absorb the vibrational
depth of the sacred site and learn of its archeological significance.
Next, we visit the nearby village of Santa Maria Atzompa where
Oaxaca’s acclaimed potter, Angelica Vazquez, will teach us about
the spiritual and aesthetic traditions of her work. Lunch at the
restaurant Itanoni offering traditional local corn-based cuisine.

Our hotel in Oaxaca City, La Casa de la Tia Tere Bed & Breakfast is located in the heart of the historic district,
eight blocks from the zocalo/main square and the central markets. The afternoon is free for exploration and
private writing.   
 Website: www.casadelatiatere.com

On Wed. evenings there is salon dancing in the main square with a live brass band and locals go to enjoy &
participate...they will welcome you too!     
Thursday May 13th   B,L                     9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Traveling south in the valley, we visit the 16th century convent of Cuilapan
where we find time and setting for contemplation. A traditional lunch under
pecan trees in the great outdoor restaurant La Capilla follows along with a visit
to the Indian market in the village of Zaachila. A final stop in the village of San
Martin Tilcajete gives us the opportunity to see the traditional wood carvers of
the famous Alebrijes.         Evening writing session 8 – 9:30 PM                   
Friday May 14th        B,D
Today is a free day to explore Oaxaca on your
own, visit the many museums and markets, or
arrange for optional activities outside of the city.  
Writing session before dinner 4 – 6 PM

This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner within
the 16th century chapel at the 5-star Hotel
Camino Real. The festivities include a
performance of the famed folk dances of the
region known as the “Guelaguetza."  


Saturday May 15th      B
Departure day.  Group transfer from hotel to the
airport..   
Cost of tour per person: $2,055.00
cost based on a mimimum of 10 travelers
Single supplement: $428.00

Includes:
Radical Writing Retreat with Laura Cerwinske
Group transfer from / to airport to hotel.
9 nights shared accommodations for tour participants
8 breakfasts
6 lunches
6 dinners – includes Farewell dinner & dance show at the 5 Star
Camino Real Hotel
Cooking class on May 10
First class touring van with AC and sound system, personal
guide for all excursions
Full ice chest with refreshments on tour bus
Entrance fees to all sites
Local shaman for various activities

Does Not Include:
International flight from USA to Oaxaca City, Mexico
Transfer from Oaxaca airport to hotel if not arriving with group
Any airport or departure taxes in Mexico
Items of a personal nature, drinks, phone calls, laundry
or anything not specifically listed in itinerary
Trip cancellation / emergency medical travel insurance
Tips to porters, bus drivers, local guides etc.
Laura Cerwinske:
Is an artist, writer, and teacher of transformational process and has been a student of
metaphysics and the healing arts for over 35 years. Laura has studied meditation,
hypnotherapy, and reiki, Reichian, primal, and traditional psychotherapies, as well as
various forms of shamanism and the Wise Woman tradition of Healing. Her online
course Radical Writing: The Transforming Power of Uninhibited Self-Exploration is taken
by students across the globe. Laura has been a devotee of Guru Maharaji (now known
as Prem Rawat) for more than three decades. She is also a student of Lukumi and the
daughter of Oschun.

Laura’s books on architecture, design, landscape, and the decorative arts have been
published by Rizzoli International, Thames and Hudson, Bantam, Dell, Doubleday, Simon
and Schuster, and others.           
 Learn more at: http://www.lauracerwinske.com
To reserve your space for this trip  
Contact:  Gayle Lawrence
Journeys of Discovery

1-727-785-5563
info@ajourneyofdiscovery.com
Laura and Shangito