BBJJ FREE ACCOMMODATIONS Part 1

If you're a Princess who secretly wouldn't mind sleeping on a pea if it meant a free night in a castle, then skip the budget hotels and hostels and try one of these ideas.

For the formerly good Catholic schoolgirl, monasteries are a fantastic place to confess all of your scandalous affairs with gorgeous European men as well as that steamy, two week Caribbean affair. But for a small donation or some volunteer work, travelers can relax and meditate for a few days before heading on to the next part of their journey. (And hopefully exciting, new intimate encounters.)

Other churches of different denominations also offer nightly shelter, but be very careful when contemplating crashing at one of these places. There are plenty of emergency shelters throughout the country that have soup kitchens where you can get a free (though not very appetizing) meal and a shower along with a bed for the night. However, when choosing to stay at a shelter, be prepared to possibly spend the night with people who are mentally-ill, addicted to drugs, and even criminals recently released from prison. Some shelters are perfectly safe and comfortable, but others, especially in places such as NYC, can be pretty frightening, even for the police and security officers who work there. Most American cities now have a 311 free information line which will help you to find local shelters and soup kitchens.

If you're more of a New Ager and want to pass on the Christian setting, Hare Krishna temples are a unique place to spend a few nights. While the religious service is not required in order to participate in the meal afterwards, it would be pretty embarrassing to show up at the end of the service asking for directions to the dining room. The services are unlike anything I've ever experienced. I'd always ignored the bald men wearing orange robes and sandals who danced around Thompkins Square Park in NYC chanting "Hare Krishna," but when my friend persuaded me to go with her tempting me with the free vegetarean feast, I reluctantly went along. The huge hall was painted in various shades of orange and yellow. There were several gold statues and an elaborately painted stage. Over 30 giant paintings lined the walls showing Hindu Gods. I walked into the room without prostrating or touching my forehead to the floor as I realized others did as entered, I sat on the floor trying to understand the leader's lesson on enlightenment. I snuck out when the group began dancing and the famous Hare Hare Rama Krishna chanting that they do and explored the temple. I was eager to get to the food, and hoped they would finish their song, but it went on for about a half hour.

By the time everyone finished and walked downstairs to the dining hall, I was starving. Volunteers passed out generous portions of various vegetarean dishes, and although I had no idea what I was eating I had seconds of everything.

My friend and I joined a member I at his table who smiled at us as we sat down. He told us that he was from India and that he has traveled to hundreds of countries and has never paid a penny for accommodations. He explained that when he "donated" $1,000 for a lifetime membership, it enabled him to stay at any Hare Krishna temple throughout the world for free.

If you enjoy chanting, but don't look so hot in orange, you might want to pass on shaving your head bald and instead grow some dreads and get to the nearest NyaBinghy organization. While Krishnas, Catholics and Baptists may not require you to become members, Nya Bingy rastas are not open to tourists or freeloaders looking for a place to crash. If you are seriously interested in learning about Halle Sallasie, however, going to a Binghy gathering will be an amazing experience.

Several Saturdays in a row I went to The Dreadlock Tree in downtown Kingston in Jamaica to listen to The Elder. The Elder was also called The Teacher, and he gave weekly sermons every Saturday, the Sabbath. I was invited to share in the vegetarean lunch for a small donation and to ask questions. One Saturday evening I became so engrossed in The Elder's talk that I missed the last bus back to Negril where I was staying. The rastas held a council meeting and voted on whether or not they believed that I was a "spy." When they determined that I was not a spy but an student interested in listening to the bible studies I was allowed to go with the group to their home on the mountain. About fifty members lived together several hours away from downtown Kingston. They lived in a huge cave, complete with a television and refridgerator which ran on generators. Each family unit had either their own section of the cave, or a bamboo hut. In the rasta commune everyone contributes to the duties of growing vegetables, fruits and herbs, cooking and other chores. Unlike the resort town of Negril where "rent-a-dreads" hustle tourists for free drinks, sex and money, the members treated me with respect and called me "sister." For years afterward, I have received calls from them inquiring about my well-being.

While you may not be invited to the homes of a rasta commune, every few months there is an event called "A Binghy," held in a secluded area, usually on a mountain, at a beach, or a park. Non-rastafarian strangers will not be overly welcome but most likely will not be turned away. As with many religions women are expected to dress modestly, covering their hair with a scarf and sleeves should cover at least 3/4 of their arms. Rasta women wear skirts that reach to the ankles. Chanting around the fire, live reggae music, dancing and speeches are held all night. Members often travel from hours away to the Binghy event, bringing tents, sleeping bags, food and water. Fruit, tea and meals are offered free. If you are a single woman be prepared to get the cold shoulder from rasta women if you appear to be there looking to meet the men. When I have attended Binghies I went as a guest with rasta women, or when with a man I stayed far to the rear of the circle next to my own tent where I was not as visible and I waited for the women to approach me first.

While you won't find many rastas in India but you will see a lot of dreads. Many Sihks, or holy men, sit on the sidewalks of Bombay offering prayers. Unlike the beggars, the do not request money, but do survive on the genersiy oother. Many hippies, Australians and Israelis sporting dreads travel to the world famous beaches of Goa, where around the clock raves, unlimited drugs, mushroom tea, live music and rainbow gatherings offer hedonistic pleasures.

Osho's Ashram is located in Pune and unlike the communes of Jamaica or in many communes and monestaries members surrender their worldly possessions, visitors to the Ashram will find lush tropical gardens, enormous marble structures and meditation rooms, and the more cash you have, the better. This Disneyworld-like ashram is not cheap, and attracts wealthy New-Agers from around the world who are seeking enlightenment. Weeklong stays at the Ashram include lectures and extended periods of total silence, but being a guest at the Ashram is not required to attend the workshops or lectures. If you're looking to crash for a night for free, move on. Extended periods for volunteers, however, are available.

I was disappointed to find that the massive orgies I'd heard about were sadly not present at the Ashram the day I visited. Curious seekers can choose to get a one-day pass and stay at a nearby hotel for a temporary membership. If you can commit to a six month volunteer position you may live and work at the Ashram for free. If you aren't a vegetarean or are not used to long periods or days of silence, think twice about your committment. The novelty of becoming spiritually aware wears off real quick.

Struggling artists seeking a way to travel and to be able to express themselves without having to worry about bills might consider applying to an artist residency. There are also artists lofts and other communal living groups that allow members to focus on their art. While most artist and writer's residencies are difficult to get into and require a lengthy and competitive application and portfolio process, many communal and sustainable living communities are open for people willing to pay a portion of the bills or offer volunteer positions. There are far too many for me to list here, but a google of communal living will show hundreds (thousands?) of communes around the world.

Grand Space (www.grandspace.com) is a huge loft in Brooklyn where residents get their own seperate loft space but share a kitchen and bathroom as well as a huge living room area that holds monthly rave parties. People show up at the mostly guest list only parties wearing costumes, outrageous outfits (or almost nothing at all,) bringing drums and other instruments and healthy vegan snacks to share.

Gowanus, a commune located in Staten Island, infamous for the possibly true former orgy parties. There was also a scandal about the leader's brush with death as one of his jealous former lovers attempted to shoot him. If you're willing to work at one of the commune's four thrift stores on the island, you can live rent free and take turns cooking group meals and still have time to pursue your craft.

Check out other free accommodation ideas in part two of BBJJ Acommodations.

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