We absolutely loved this trip. It was such a joy to see Dasa and to get to know some of the local people. Everyone was incredibly warm and welcoming—we were even stopped at one point by two women who asked whether we were eating well, which perfectly captured the genuine hospitality we felt throughout our stay. We especially enjoyed the cooking classes and loved spending time with the spice girls; in fact, I think you could offer even more of those experiences because they were such a highlight. I could watch Eva cook all day. The tours were both fun and informative, and I especially enjoyed the cheese-making. The good-bye dinner was a truly wonderful send-off. Being included in the music, the celebration, and the large “puppets” made for such a memorable and amazing experience.
I would like to offer a few comments about the accommodations. We were prepared for a rustic experience, so that itself was not a concern; however, the main challenge for us was the level of cleanliness and maintenance in the space where we stayed. We were in the former doctor’s home and used the brown bathroom. When we arrived, the toilet seat was broken, and we had to remove the top in order to keep the seat in place. In addition, the stucco on the ceiling was falling, leaving white dust on the bathroom surfaces and on our belongings, including towels and toothbrushes, so we eventually had to remove our things from the room. At one point the lightbulb went out, and we ended up sharing the other bathroom with our flat mate, which was in much better condition. While we did not use the kitchen since there was so much wonderful food, the ceiling in the kitchen is also beginning to fall as well.
I had requested an extra pillow, but since one was not available, I used a blanket instead. Unfortunately, the blanket appeared quite old and did not seem fresh, with a noticeable musty smell. We also understand that clothes dryers may not be available, but some of our tour mates mentioned that their towels smelled as though they had not dried properly, which made them uncomfortable enough to use their clothing or even paper towels to dry off. It may be helpful to have the towels professionally cleaned or refreshed on a more regular basis.
One final suggestion for future guests would be to mention in the pre-trip information which personal items may not be provided in the homes, such as hair dryers, so travelers can come better prepared. I share these comments in the spirit of being helpful, as the warmth of the people and the overall experience were truly special. Thank you for everything, we hope to be able to spend time with you and in Dasa again soon.