Dear Sir Gustav,

I take the liberty of speaking for all of us at Creative Soup, to acknowledge how eagerly we look forward to accepting your kind invitation to visit you at Creatus Spiritus. I am certain that we will all find it a time of great inspiration and enjoyment.

I have all confidence that, as you so kindly indicate, all of our needs for attire and sustenance will be graciously provided, so I have elected not to bring my Rooibos tea bags and powdered whey protein, as I would feel I should bring to lesser accommodations. However, I hope you will understand my bringing my own flip-flops and 72% cocoa chocolate bars, as both are rather "specific" and quite necessary to my creature well-being! I look forward to making my selections from what I am certain is your fine collection of simple, and appropriately colorful, cotton shifts...

Given the tedious rigors of current customs and "Homeland Security" measures, I take this opportunity to delineate quite specifically what I have elected to carry to your lovely retreat, and include photographs to document my selections. All will fit into my backpack, which I find handy to have with me on any voyage.

I do not like to consider myself a person who must travel with her laptop, but, alas, such has recently become the case! I bring it primarily because it holds all of my music, most specifically the melodies from my yoga classes. (Believe me, if you have not heard Snatam Kaur sing "Ong Namur Guru Dev," you have missed one of this life's truly celestial experiences! I look forward to sharing it with you...)

If I have the opportunity to somehow obtain a Macbook "Air" before my departure, I will surely do so. But, in the interim, my somewhat heavy Macbook Pro will suffice.

I plan to bring the following items, in no particular order of "importance". (And, of course, the very concept of "importance" is something one looks forward to re-examining on holiday, is it not...?)

My passport, and a credit card (because one never knows when a "boutique" will appear on the horizon)

My camera, in the tiny pink bag, its necessary extra batteries, tripod, instruction manual, and other accessories

The Book of Secrets by Deepak Chopra, my journal, and a small book of yoga postures, just as a reminder (this last as an adjunct to the aforementioned music on the Mac)

My swim goggles, sun-tanning eye covers, and an extra pair of reading glasses, because heaven knows where I would be without my glasses!

A selection of pens for writing and drawing, including brush-tip models, gel pens, and a waterproof Sharpie

An eye mask and earplugs, for those moments when silence and darkness are so desired, not the least of which is aboard an airplane

A corkscrew (I do not feel the need to elaborate on this inclusion)

Murray the Bear, who accompanies me on many adventures. He is also quite willing and happy to serve as an eye mask, and enjoys having his photograph taken in exotic locations

A magnifying glass which looks like a compass

My current needlepoint project, including a blunt-tipped, airline-approved pair of scissors

A lovely cloth, which can serve as a shawl, a skirt, a tablecloth, a curtain, or simply a decorative item...

My Spirit Mirror, made for me by my beloved brother, with a picture of the Buddha, and the exhortation to "Inquire Within," which I always find a useful directive, and a small cloth with which to gently clean it

I have no doubt that with these few items, along with the many amenities I am certain Creatus Spiritus will provide, I will want for nothing whatsoever during my visit. (I will take the liberty of borrowing Mr. Prisket's binoculars, if the need arises, and, should he offer, would enjoy a quaff of that Wild Turkey!)

I hope you will not mind my telling you that I consider myself an experienced traveler. Many years ago, I decided that, when I arrive at the Gates of Heaven, and am asked what were my greatest accomplishment during this life, I could confidently reply that, among other things, I went to the south of France for the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo, and four attendant black-tie events, with carry-on luggage, and people borrowed my clothes...

I thank you for your most generous invitation, and look forward to meeting you in person!

Most sincerely,

Carol N.