Emerson Resort and Spa- Woodstock Catskills Anna Wilding
My most favourite thing is to get out of New York on weekends these days. Problem is I often don't wish to return. A friend and I got in the car and took off. We started at Bear Mountain - hiking and lunch on the Hudson. A great day trip, 45 minutes out of New York. We decided to go further.
I haven't been to Woodstock since I was 20. I got a scholarship to an intensive summer scholarship Shakespeare drama program run by Yale and NYU. I was one of 20 selected through rigorous auditions throughout the USA.I remember vividly doing those auditions...mine took place on the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion which used to house the Oscars. There were 2000 at the LA auditions that week alone.
This was my first visit back to the Catskills and regions since that time. Not much has changed in the Catskills, but certainly in Woodstock.Old shops now house new stores. The buildings were intact but freshly painted, and the contents were different.Still charming but the run down hippy feel was gone.The lakes were still full and it was pleasant to venture into the Tibetan Monastry and Meditation Center at the top of the hill.Actually the main assembly hall of the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra was gorgeous.The next morning I visited the Zen Monastary which was located inside an old church.On the one hand the tone was much more sombre..but somehow in its "sombre" tone it paid humble reverence to the Church it once housed.
It was utterly sublime and fun staying at the new five star resort in Emerson- the Emerson Resort and Spa. A resort that was all about the rooms and the spa. Four poster beds, and a style that was reminscent of Buddhist temples throughout.I had been dreaming of lillies all week and found myself to be surrounded by lilies, orchids and excellent service.Good karma I guess as this past week I sent an orchid to my mother overseas.
My thoughts..why pay 250-350 for a retreat or hiking in the Catskills,to stay in some dorm room- when you can,for the same price, book yourself into a five star hotel or resort, live in a luxury loft or four poster bed and take yourself hiking - and choose schedules and hikes tailored to your wishes. If you are in a meditative state of mind, take yourself to visit the Zen or Tibetan Monastary and visit the real Llhamas and monks for yourselves.There will still be time for shopping ,and a great steam or sauna and a pleasant bottle of wine and great company-whoever that may be with you.
When I first came to Woodstock and the Catskills ,I was not long in the USA and did not appreciate it as much as I do now.Then to me it was just like parts of of New Zealand. I hadn't come all this way,by myself, for country barns.
It still is like parts of NZ,Hanmer Springs(where Brad Pitt went for his honeymoon,oddly he had kind of asked me out prior to this but I somehow didn't take the offer) and Akaroa ,Banks Peninusla. Now that I live in New York,(and not LA with all its beaches and hikes) I really appreciate it and if a house came up for sale and I had the wherewithall then and there, I would probably buy it. Mind you there are many places I would buy houses.
