IntiPunku

The second day in Macchu Picchu began with a hike to IntiPunku otherwise known as the sungate. This is essentially the last segment of the Inka trail and was only several miles long in one direction.  It is a beautifully maintained trail, paved with large stones and mostly 4 or 5 ' wide. 

About halfway up we stopped to listen to a local guide talk about a flower that was growing on the side of the trail. It was the most beautiful wild orchid I have ever seen.  

Then I saw her. A sweet American woman stopping to rest at the same place in the trail. I asked her where she was from and she said Tennessee, near Nashville. I laughed and told her I knew the area well, as I had gone to college and boarding school near there. As it turns out her son had attended the same (very small) boarding school as I had graduated from.  

He had been killed five years ago in a tragic car accident. She was traveling to Macchu Picchu with her son's friend because it was on his list of places he wanted to go.  I was so filled with grief and happiness for her all at the same time. I felt her deep sadness.  This trip for her was such a huge release as well as a renewal.  Anita, wherever you are, I applaud you and send you healing,  loving energy!

Full Moon in Macchu Picchu

 There are not enough words to describe the energy in this amazing place. Although I only spent two days in this ancient city, I somehow felt as though I had always been here. All I can say is, this is place worth the effort to come and experience for yourself. This energy is real. Are there 426 places to buy hats, bags, and "Macchu Picchu" shot glasses? Well of course there are. But there is also something very real here as well. 

After a thrilling walk all through every sacred nook and cranny of the ruins of Macchu Picchu, we enjoyed another lovely meal of "veggie pizza" at the Inka Wasi restaurant.

 If you are just now joining me, you will not get the humor of the term "veggie pizza" which translates to, no Spanish necessary, round white bread with cheese. The best part about dinner in this highly-decorated restaurant was the amazingly beautiful and slightly comical art (think Jesus at the last supper with his 14, yes... fourteen friends...with two fingers forming a peace sign) and all the Inkan rulers plastered all over the walls.  And last but certainly not least.... A great band with almost enough room to dance to...

After dinner a few of us walked up to the thermal hot baths (the town IS called Aguas Caliente after all...) and had a healing ceremony under the light of the full moon. Wow was that powerful. Floating around, head mostly submerged, in mineral rich warm water (sure it smells like sulphur...what do you want, flowers?) while bells are continuously ringing under the water.... 

Yep, I am pretty sure I left the planet for a while. 

Ceremony with the Q'ero Indians

This evening I was honored to be a part of a  "despacho" ceremony with two Q'ero Indians. It lasted about two hours and involved many blessings to "Pachamama" (Mother Earth) using coca leaves, "agua de florida", and lots of little packages of local grains, seeds, and various other accoutrements. After all the goodies were put into a beautiful little bundle and wrapped in white paper and a "mesa" cloth, we were each blessed again by the Q'ero elders. It was a powerful  ceremony that I will not soon forget. I am so grateful to be surrounded by this amazing healing energy. 

Mud. Mud. Mud.

Ever had a mud bath?  Well, I had never even considered covering myself with gobs of river mud. Until today....

First, we took a boat ride down the Amazon river to find native pink dolphins. We found several pair and they played and dove in and out of the water all around us.  Some of them really were bright pink and others were dark grey. They seemed to really enjoy playing in the water and I was so happy we were able to see them. 

Then we continued on to a small island in the middle of the river. At first when we stepped out of the boat the ground was solid. As I moved closer to the other side I began to sink further and further until literally I was thigh-deep in the smoothest silkiest sloppety-slop mud you could ever imagine. It was a solid dark brown, the color of melted chocolate ice cream, and oozed between your fingers and toes with delightful satisfaction.  Several of us proceeded to strip down to our birthday suits and literally bury ourselves in mud. Seriously. I never thought in a MILLION  years I would find myself completely submerged in slimy mud from the amazon river and yet this has been one of the most exhilarating experiences yet.  And did I mention how smooth my skin feels?  Just like a baby's butt. Uh-huh. 

Yaguas Indians

We visited a native village living on the bank of a tributary of the Amazon.   Everyone seemed so happy.  All the children were playing in the center of the village...futbol (soccer), volleyball, and various other ball games. They brought all their "pets" to show us...baby parrots and three toed sloths. Those baby sloths were the cutest little things I have ever seen. When you hold them, they gently hug you and put their little heads on your shoulder!  We all fell in love with them and wanted to take them home with us. After careful consideration, we decided that with their special amazonian diet, they would be better off staying here with the Yaguas. 

We met the tribal chief and the elders. They played music in the ceremony lodge and we all danced together to raise the vibration which was actually caught on camera with  orbs of light all over the picture.  Absolutely fascinating! 

Then the chief showed us how they make a blow dart gun for hunting monkeys, birds, and other small animals for food. They let us shoot with them and aim at a target. I was two for two and I'm seriously considering a career change. 

At first I felt like such a tourist walking around this authentic village. However, after spending time with these delightful people, entertaining them with my gringo spanglish, I changed my outlook. They truly seemed to enjoy showing us their ways and customs. We bought arts and crafts from them which will help sustain them. They are proud of their heritage and I am honored to have spent some time with these sweet, loving people. 

Living it up in the Jungle...

Dancing in the jungle with my new palm-leaf tiara...

Bon Voyage!

Well, here I am, at the airport....on my way to Peru!
It seems like just yesterday this day was months and months away.

Thank you all, dear friends and family, for all the love support I have received! What an amazing experience! I have had actually several wonderful "send-off" gatherings and all I can say is, I truly feel loved. I am so grateful.
Bon Voyage!

What is Magic?

Most of you that know me, probably hear me talk about magic, affirmations, and meditation a lot.   Why magic?  Well, first of all, who doesn't want to believe in magic?

I have a different relationship with "positive affirmations" than I once did.  I am so grateful that I not only grew up with a family full of wise women, but I also was gifted life-changing books and gifts written by spiritual teachers and healers throughout my life.  In Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life," she suggests affirmations to heal nearly every malady known to humans.  I thought I understood the concept.
Yet it is only now, decades after reading that book for the first time, that I truly recognize how we create every moment in our lives.  We have the fundamental power to positively or negatively affect our lives in each of these moments.

I too was once a messed up girl who honestly thought the world was out to get me.  I now have a collection of positive affirmations that has led me on a path that is more magical than I ever dreamed was possible.  And meditation?  Well, it has done nothing less than alter my life profoundly.

I am so happy and grateful I am able to share this amazing journey with you through my blog, if you choose to come with me.  I have converted my www.cschambers.com website to a blog…
For, in the wee hours early this morning, I booked my flight to Peru for July 11 - October 20.

One of my most favorite affirmations that I have had for as long as I can remember is "I am so happy and grateful I am traveling to wonderfully wild places".

Experiencing my affirmations turn to reality is nothing less than magic.
And that my dear friends, is precisely what it is.   Magic.




If you would like to follow along, go to www.cschambers.com and put your email address in the box at the right.  If not, hasta luego tiene un buen verano.  

To be continued...