Buenos Dias, Amigos! I’m still in Cusco, Peru. I’ve been here for 5 weeks now. I had to settle down a bit and find a longer term stay, unpack my backpack and do some yoga. I heard Cusco was the place to be, so I stayed. And I’m glad I did! I love it here! The energy is great, the people are friendly, the food is amazing and the “Healing House” is wonderful. That’s where I’m staying, “The Healing House”. It’s a shared living space that houses about 15 or so people. I have my own room and bath with a shared kitchen and garden. There’s a yoga studio and a massage room. Every morning, there are yoga classes (I teach twice a week). In the evenings, there are miscellaneous classes, such as group meditation, mantra singing, sound bowls, Kirtan dancing or movie night. It’s a great little space with wonderful people from all over the world.
Cusco is at over 11,000 feet elevation. It’s warm and sunny during the days (70 degrees) but gets down into the 30’s at night. It’s surrounded by mountains, Inca ruins and the Sacred Valley. I have been taking weekend trips and going hiking into the valley. The most beautiful little villages and ruins sitting in a valley on a river, surrounded by green lush mountains towering over the towns. It’s amazing! I could stay here all year and find a different hiking trail or ruin to explore each week! It’s overwhelming with the amount of things there are to do.
Of course, I went to Machu Picchu, the famous Sacral Inca Village found in the early 1900’s in the middle of nowhere. It was spectacular! I’ve seen a million pictures and postcards, but seeing it in person was really breathtaking! I didn’t do the Inca Trail, as it’s booked up months in advance, but I did hike a bit to get there with some friends.
I met up with an Australian friend here, that I was with in Argentina. We spent a couple of weeks together, exploring the Valley, hiking to a quarry, looking at ruins and salt mines. We even experienced San Pedro together. San Pedro is a cactus plant that is used for medicinal purposes and is still legal here in Peru. It is a strong mescaline plant that is best drank when a Shaman to prepares it. After much research and discussion, we decided on Carlos, the Shaman, and his assistant to prepare the drink for us. We met up on a Friday morning at 8:30am, had the ceremony at 10am with a sweet couple from India and started walking around shortly after. We were in a sacred place with no other tourists. There were ancient caves and ruins, where women would hold fertility ceremonies and shamans would meditate. There were farms and rivers and the most beautiful hills and valleys. We spent the day exploring and tripping out on the beauty. It was an intense experience, but absolutely perfect. The plant lasted over 15 hours and by the end, we were exhausted and ready to sleep.
That weekend was Inty Rami, the sun festival here in Peru. Every Peruvian comes to Cusco to celebrate and participate in the parades and vendors and food (Guinney Pig is the favorite among the locals here). At night , there was a trance festival that Rohan and I went to. It was ok, nothing like I’ve seen in The States.
I’m now spending my last week here in Cusco, teaching yoga and taking a Reiki course. I’ll be certified for Level 1 and 2. I also designed a chakra workshop that I’m leading next Tuesday night. I’m leaving on Wednesday. It’s been a great experience here and I’m so glad that I was able to make some money, meet some great people and relax for a bit. But I’m ready to get moving to the warmer weather. I’m going to head for the coast and make my way up north to beach towns.
I’m really happy. I’m enjoying learning the new cultures, languages and energy work. Peru is an amazing place with fresh produce, cheap hostels and a good vibe!
