3:30AM ... awoke with a lump in my throat and head draining. Instantly I realized that I was not ill, a mew pacha was starting. In fact, I am being bluntly told it is time to step up, be visible, and most especially articulate Truth.
Last night, after don Martin's altomesayoq ceremony, Eve told me I should teach. Now, a few hours later, while standing under a hot shower an aha moment strikes — teaching comes in many forms.
Today we’re off on our first camping trip. Thankfully, the lump in my throat and running nose from last night is no longer. After driving about 45 minutes, we reached our starting point. The horsemen were already there to meet us and pack their horses with our gear for a three-day adventure. Also there are young children selling thread bracelets, which we all buy and tie on each other's wrists.
Last night, after don Martin's altomesayoq ceremony, Eve told me I should teach. Now, a few hours later, while standing under a hot shower an aha moment strikes — teaching comes in many forms.
Today we’re off on our first camping trip. Thankfully, the lump in my throat and running nose from last night is no longer. After driving about 45 minutes, we reached our starting point. The horsemen were already there to meet us and pack their horses with our gear for a three-day adventure. Also there are young children selling thread bracelets, which we all buy and tie on each other's wrists.
Instructed to pair up, Holly and I begin hiking slowly, acclimating our lungs to this higher altitude.
From the ridge top, we saw the lagoon that we will be camping beside. Boosted by the realization that we are almost to camp and the stark beauty of the landscape, I practically ran down the mountainside!
After lunch — renewed by food and rest —we climbed to the top of another ridge where there is a cave (paqarina) to hold a despacho ceremony to strengthen our cekes to the memberships held in our mesa. Apu Señor Ausangate told us, during last night’s ceremony with don Martin, that we must cleanse, clear and strengthen our mesa before going to Salkantay.
Sitting in a semi-circle, we are told that the prayers going into this despacho need to address what our mesa holds — do we have kuyas that need to heal? Are they connected to places or symbols of power? How are our memberships tangible to us? How do we create meaning from them?
Adolpho tells us the love and prayers we put into our k’intus is proportionate to the apus who show up. Though he has the power to call in the apus, he needs our prayers to call in still higher powers. We are also mesayoqs — kollanas — so we must show up! “Simply open your hearts,” he says.
Because the land is so parched, the medicine people have been calling in rain. As our ceremony comes to an end, darkened clouds swiftly move in. Will it rain? As much as Pachamama needs rain, I’m hoping it doesn’t while we are camping the next few days.
Meanwhile, the horsemen have been busy. Our tents have been set up and our duffle bags inside. Dinner has been prepared, so all our weary bones need to do is head for the dining tent for hot quinoa soup and dinner. Exhausted, Eva and I head to our tent for an early night sleep. Not a moment too soon, as the sky opens to rain — the medicine people's prayers have been answered. Bundled in our sleeping bags, Eva and I recapitulate our experiences last night and today!
Sitting in a semi-circle, we are told that the prayers going into this despacho need to address what our mesa holds — do we have kuyas that need to heal? Are they connected to places or symbols of power? How are our memberships tangible to us? How do we create meaning from them?
Adolpho tells us the love and prayers we put into our k’intus is proportionate to the apus who show up. Though he has the power to call in the apus, he needs our prayers to call in still higher powers. We are also mesayoqs — kollanas — so we must show up! “Simply open your hearts,” he says.
Because the land is so parched, the medicine people have been calling in rain. As our ceremony comes to an end, darkened clouds swiftly move in. Will it rain? As much as Pachamama needs rain, I’m hoping it doesn’t while we are camping the next few days.
Meanwhile, the horsemen have been busy. Our tents have been set up and our duffle bags inside. Dinner has been prepared, so all our weary bones need to do is head for the dining tent for hot quinoa soup and dinner. Exhausted, Eva and I head to our tent for an early night sleep. Not a moment too soon, as the sky opens to rain — the medicine people's prayers have been answered. Bundled in our sleeping bags, Eva and I recapitulate our experiences last night and today!