Here’s how this week’s arts and culture piece begins:
New Camaldoli Hermitage, a monastery of Camaldolese Benedictine monks, is located on 899 acres high above the Big Sur coast. It’s gorgeous. It’s serene. And best of all, it’s quiet.
Used to be you’d have to book months in advance, but I recently reserved a single-occupancy room for two nights ($145 including meals) a mere few weeks out. Other options include five private hermitages, three of which can accommodate couples; private cells (male retreatants only) within the monastic enclosure; and a guest house with two twin beds. No kids under 16 allowed—like I said, quiet.
Advent had just begun, and everything about the place was conducive to contemplating the birth of Christ and the coming of a new year.
READ THE WHOLE PIECE HERE.