Traveling into the Unknown; The Peruvian Adventure

I was surfing the internet one day while still living in New Zealand and came across a trip to go to Peru and explore the Amazon Rain Forest and the sacred Inca sites including Machu Picchu.

This particular trip also included the option of partaking in some of Mother Earth’s master plant medicines.

While reading the itinerary, I felt in my gut that this was a journey I needed to take and decided to register immediately.

In June 2008, I stepped on the plane in Oahu to which I had recently relocated, and flew to Lima, Peru to meet the group I was taking this journey with.

Flying to Lima in itself was an adventure. I had two stopovers in Canada; one in Vancouver and the other in Toronto.

After getting off the plane in Vancouver I needed to pick up my luggage, go through customs and get to the gate to catch the connecting plane to Toronto in less than an hour.The thought of it made me anxious, but the flight attendant reassured me I would be just fine.

Waiting impatiently to pick up my luggage, I couldn’t see it at first. Everyone identified their luggage and off they went except me.

Where is mine? Of all times to lose my luggage, this was not one of them! I could feel my blood pressure rising by the second, and then I said to myself, let it go, I will deal with it. I basically surrendered to the fact that I may miss the flight to Toronto which would then have this snowball effect resulting in missing my connection from Toronto to Lima. I then would not being able to connect with the group in Lima to fly to Iquitos to meet our trip facilitator.

All of a sudden out of no where I saw my luggage!! I literally did a double take. It just appeared! Not questioning my eye sight at that moment, I picked up my luggage, quickly went through customs and ran to the gate with a few minutes to spare. I was so grateful to be able to board that plane.

I realized at that moment, my journey to Peru was going to be an adventure of challenges, excitement, and lessons of surrendering to the divine will of God the source of all that is.

The flight to Lima was very long, but uneventful. After connecting with most of the group, we flew to Iquitos to meet our fearless leader.

We stayed in Iquitos a few days to recuperate from our long flights before taking a 14 hour over night boat ride up the Amazon River. The ride was incredibly breathtaking and the sunset exemplified how magnificently beautiful Mother Nature is!

Look closely at the heart in the center.

During our boat ride I went into a meditative state and had a vision along with a message that baffled me at first. I was being shown that all my desires, passions, material goals, and possessions were insignificant and was viewing these visions with total indifference. I said how can that be? Why am I on this planet if I don’t have goals and passions?

It took me a while to understand the deeper meaning. It is ok for me to have these “things”, but more important is union with the divine source of all creation. How may I achieve that? I realized that when I speak my truth, I am embracing my authentic self. I then start to love myself. And when I truly love myself, I will know God, for God is unconditional love!

I found the boat ride to be truly an inspirational experience.

Another amazing photo taken while on the boat during sunset.

We disembarked around 5 am in a small village called Genaro Herrera. After eating breakfast, and sleeping on hammocks for a short while, we got into a dug out canoe and traveled a few more hours before arriving at our new home deep in the Amazon jungle.

Living in the Amazon Rain Forest does have its challenges! Lots and lots of mosquitos. I am not a fan of DEET. Instead, I used all natural essential oils of Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Neem Seed Oil. I also took B complex daily, and used Organic Oreganol oil for the bug bites. Adding a few drops of organic Oreganol oil to the water or under your tongue also helps to kill those nasty bacteria and viruses.

One of many challenges was to overcome my fear of taking a bath in the muddy, cold fish biting river. I tried not to focus on the possibility of also encountering a pit viper lurking around to find something, like “me” to strike its poisonous fangs in.

After 2 days, I got up the nerve and cautiously placing one foot in front of the other, managed to get in the river and take a bath and wash my hair. Our facilitator suggested bringing all natural environmentally friendly products which I used.

Our home in the jungle.

To my surprise, it was not as bad as I thought it would be.

The staff that our fearless leader hired was incredibly helpful and patient with us. They were all native to Peru and knew how to navigate and survive in the jungle. Two nights in a row, a few of the young men while doing their nightly checks, found a pit viper crawling around in the roof of the huts. They are one of the most poisonous snakes in the jungle. Fortunately they caught them without any of us getting hurt or bitten. Unfortunately they threw them in the fire and burned them to death. Not a pretty site to see.

While in the jungle we had the option to partake in three ayahuasca ceremonies. I choose not to. I didn’t feel the need to ingest ayahuasca to connect with her healing energy.

Back in 2001 and 2002, studying with the Shuar people in the Amazon Rain Forest of Ecuador, I took ayahuasca twice. Ayahuasca is one of the 7 master plant medicines, and is a very difficult medicine to embrace.

Ayahuasca is ruthless in her healing powers and will teach us what we need to learn.

During a very long 8 hours, Ayahuasca taught me how to forgive myself and others. She also showed me how judgment’s cause disharmony, hatred and war. I still have flashbacks about those times. Over the years I have gained a great respect for Ayahuasca.

Carrying Ayahuasca back to camp

A 25 year old Ayahuasca vine wrapped around a tree.

After 5 days we said our goodbyes to all who helped us, including the shaman (curandero) and local villagers.Even though it was physically and mentally challenging, having the opportunity to live in the Amazon jungle and connect with local tribal families and their traditions, was truly an awesome experience.

There was one more experience I had to live through before leaving the jungle. While approaching the canoe I fell to the ground, bathing my clean pants and luggage in wet mud! At first I got so pissed off and frustrated. I then realized I needed to let go of these negative feelings and surrender to what was. No easy task! I knew if I didn’t, the canoe ride back to the village of Genero Herrera would be miserable, and I would have missed enjoying the pure raw essences of the Amazon jungle.

We arrived in Genero Herrera and boarded the riverboat back to Iquitos.

Once back in Iquitos we were blessed by staying in a 5 star hotel. Taking a hot shower and sleeping in a clean comfortable bed without having mosquito’s bussing in my ears, felt like I died and went to heaven!Sometimes I just take the simple comforts for granted. I went to sleep that night with thoughts of gratitude for what I have in my life.

We stayed in Iquitos for another few days before departing to Lima and then off to Cuzco and Machu Picchu to continue our journey.

Flying over the Andes to Cuzco was breathtaking. The mountain peaks proudly jetting upwards into the sky. I was pondering the thought as to what would the second half of this journey reveal to me?

Shortly after arriving in Cuzco, I became aware of the altitude change.We were now approximately 9000 feet above sea level.

We were immediately offered the coca leaf to drink and chew, which helped us to acclimate to the high altitude. We were also advised to take it easy and go slow while venturing out and exploring Cuzco, especially on the first day. I remember from my Tibet adventure the importance of drinking lots of water.

Plaza of Cuzco

The following morning before getting of bed, feeling how much colder it was here, I woke to a pounding headache. Most likely due to the altitude, I took a couple of ibuprofen, chewed and drank coca tea and after a few hours felt like a new person, ready to explore Cuzco.

Drinking Coca tea

Over the next couple of days, we traveled via a bus to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, exploring the Inca ruins including Ollayantambo and shopping in the Pisac market, a small village filled with lots of crafts made by the local Indians.

Sacred Valley of the Incas

While in Ollayantambo, we had the opportunity to experience San Pedro, another master plant medicine. Our guide, Victor, was a San Pedro curandero, raised in the Peruvian shamanic tradition.

We met Victor and his helpers down in the court yard of our hotel early in the evening. I was quite apprehensive about taking San Pedro for the first time. Again, I was stepping into the unknown!

After Victor explained what San Pedro was all about and what we possibly may experience, I felt much calmer about drinking it. San Pedro is very sacred and an integral part of Andean and coastal shamanism.

I also liked Victor’s message. He spoke from his heart and emphasized the importance of healing ourselves which ultimately would have a positive impact on healing Mother Earth.

We had the choice as to how many cups of San Pedro to drink, though the maximum would be 7 cups. Initially we drank our first cup at the hotel after performing a ceremony honoring the planet and then we traveled by van to a sacred spot not far from the hotel.

It was a very cold crisp clear night as we sat on the ground watching one of Victor’s helpers build a fire. Victor then offered us a second cup of San Pedro. I choose not to. My body is very sensitive and I wanted to see the effects of the first cup.

I laid down next to the fire in a fetal position and slowly started to feel physical pain in my heart and solar plexus. The pain intensified to the point that I had to do something. What, I did not know at first.

Then all of a sudden, I just knew I had to give the pain to the fire. As I started to release years and years of emotional pain from my heart chakra, I immediately felt relief. I was shocked for two reasons. One, that I was still holding onto so much heart pain, and two, that the spirit of the fire was actually relieving my pain. Waves of pain persisted throughout the night as I continued to release all that didn’t serve me any more. At one point, I looked up in the sky and saw millions of stars along with the moon shinning brilliantly.At that moment I was incredibly grateful to the plant and the healing I was receiving. I also believe Victor was instrumental in healing all of us.

The ceremony lasted until 3:30 in the morning. We gave prayers of gratitude and blessings to Victor, his helpers, and all the spirits who assisted in this amazing ceremony before heading back to the hotel to continue the San Pedro journey on our own.

The next day, we took the train from Ollantaytambo to Aquas Calientes; the town at the foot of Machu Picchu.The train ride took about 2 hours cascading through the Urubamba Valley and River. You could easily see the beautiful glacier covered mountain peaks in the distance.

Urubamba Valley and River, en route to Machu Picchu.

We arrived mid morning in Aquas Calientes, a bustling town with tourists from all over the planet. I couldn’t see Machu Picchu and wondered where it was. I didn’t realize that the lost city of the Incas is high in the Peruvian cloud forest invisible from town.

In the early afternoon, we met our shamanic guide who was steeped in Andean shamanism.He was to lead us to Machu Picchu and explain from his point of view the various sections of the lost city of the Incas and what they were used for. We boarded one of the many buses that transport people to the base of Machu Picchu.

After passing through the admissions gate, we were told to hold hands and close our eyes as our guide led us to a magical spot.

I was so excited with anticipation. I opened my eyes just before we were told to.Wow, what a spectacular view of Machu Picchu! It was one of the most magnificent views I have ever seen. I have seen many photos of Machu Picchu, but to be there, up close and personal is just not the same. The energy of the lost city of the Incas was over powering. I can see how it is one of the most spiritual places on the planet!

During the afternoon, we all participated in a ceremony honoring this magical place.Our guide suggested we set our intentions for ourselves and the planet and then allow and trust that they would be manifested. I dug a small hole next to a pine tree and placed my intentions inside including a coin I brought from home that I had from New Zealand. I don’t know why I brought this coin with me, but felt I needed to. I first found out about this trip while still living in New Zealand, so I thought, just maybe there is a connection between the lost city of the Incas and New Zealand.

We explored the sacred temples of the Condor, and the Sun. I was constantly in awe of the way they built the stone structures; each stone fitting perfectly next to each other. According to some, Machu Picchu played a key role socially, religiously and politically in the Inca Empire.

The next day I got up at 4 am, got dressed, and walked to the bus station to wait on a long line to have the bus take me to the base of Machu Picchu. While waiting, I met the most interesting people from all over the world. Many were young backpackers intrigued with the idea of climbing Waynapicchu, towering high above the ruins of Machu Picchu, 2720 meters above sea level.

According to the local guides, Waynapicchu in Quechua (the Native American language of South America) means “Young Peak”. At the summit lived the high priests and local virgins who every morning greeted the day with prayers and blessings.

The reason for getting up so early in the morning and being at the Waynapicchu gate entrance at least one hour before it opened was because only 400 visitors are allowed to climb a day. When the gate did open at 7am, there were hundreds of people on line behind me. They also required all who entered must sign in before and after the climb. I now understand why and so will you.

I started the climb full of energy and excitement.The trail was very narrow and slippery in sections, consisting of steep upward steps. Thank goodness there were steel cables at the most narrow sections to support you. According to the brochures, the climb to the summit should only take one hour. It had been almost an hour and I was only half way up the mountain. But then again, I was taking my time to enjoy the incredibly beautiful cloud formations and sunrise over the mountain ranges.

After crawling through narrow passages and a cave, I finally reached the summit. Hurray!

Even though feeling exhausted, I decided to climb half way down the mountain, turn right and then follow the path almost to the back of the mountain to see the Temple of the Moon. It would take additional hour or two before my decent back down the mountain.

Again, I started out being enthusiastic, but that was short lived. My legs started to shake. I stopped and said to myself, I don’t think I can make it. I am so tired. Intuitively I heard yes you can! I walked for another 15 minutes up and down the steep trail in the thick jungle.

Again I said I can’t make it! And again I heard yes you can. Stopping in my tracks, I called out loud, I need help! Immediately I felt a surge of energy and was able to start walking again. Within 20 minutes I saw the Temple of the Moon. What a relief! I finally made it.

Inside Temple of Moon

After taking some photos I laid down on the grass completely depleted and fell asleep.

Upon awakening, I didn’t remember having any dreams or visions, just a sense of contentment.

Deciding that it was time to start my decent back to the entrance of Waynapicchu, I got up, said a prayer for peace for all of humanity and off I went.

Upon arriving at the entrance, I signed out and immediately felt a sense of accomplishment. My intuition was correct. I could make it to Waynapicchu even if I didn’t think so. Again, I realized the importance of always trusting my intuition.

As I was walking to the bus stop, I was grateful for the many amazing insights I gained traveling into the unknown of life.

I would like to thank Peter Gorman, our fearless leader for making this incredible journey possible.

Blessings,

Traveling into the Unknown; The Peruvian Adventure

- Diane Zander RN, Diane@heartmoon.org