365 Inspirations—311: Peru Exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum

Peru exhibit at The Seattle Art Museum

"Going to Peru is, well, if you ever have an opportunity in your life to go there, you should do it because it is absolutely mind boggling."—Dean Stockwell

The first Thursday of every month is usually free at the Seattle Art Museum, so we went. We had to pay a little extra for the amazing Peru exhibit. There were three different groups of friends who wanted to see this exhibit with me, but I decided to go with my husband, Yoon today.

The reason being that this exhibit has special significance for the both of us because we just returned from Peru in September. My experiences there are being documented in a new book I'm writing. 

We both picked up audio equipment at the entrance of the exhibit so that we could hear the descriptions and historical background of each piece.

I was particularly interested in the Pre-Incan artifacts. Peruvians, particularly those of the ancient civilizations, have a strong connection to the earth, sun, moon, stars, etc. Cosmology was a big part of their lives. The early Peruvians did not see death as something that should be mourned. Opposites like light/dark, sun/moon, earth/sky, life/death were seen as interconnected. Without one there could not be the other. The full cycle of life and afterlife were celebrated.

I was surprised to discover that long ago early Peruvians drank Chicha (alcohol made from corn). This was said to aid in fertility. After some of the Chicha was consumed, it was given back to the earth or thrown down as an offering to Mother Earth, known by many Peruvians as Pachamama.

While in Peru, I had the opportunity to participate in a ceremony with a shaman high up in the mountains at a Pre-Incan ruin. The shaman burned herbs and chanted. We made offerings of rice, dried fish, beans, and chicha. I was happy to discover that these rituals have been around for thousands of years.

While I was fascinated by the exhibit and the history of the ancient cultures of Peru, there's nothing like visiting Peru itself. I feel it is one place you must experience. When you go to Machu Picchu, you can feel the past, present and future all at once. It is truly a remarkable place.

Have you ever been to an art exhibit that held particular meaning for you?

365 Inspirations—293: How I Learned to Stop Planning and Love the Mystery (Guest Post by Patti Shelton)

On board our faithful ship heading out into the deep waters of Lake Titicaca

“All human plans [are] subject to ruthless revision by Nature, or Fate, or whatever one preferred to call the powers behind the Universe.” —Arthur C. Clark

This guest post was written by Patti Shelton who came with us on our yoga trip to Peru. She shares a story here about a trip we took to Lake Titicaca, Peru last September and how she learned to let go of her need to plan and just go with the flow. We enjoyed having her on our journey and I love her story. Please be so kind and leave comments for Patti here. Here it is:

For most of my life, I've had a tendency to be a planner.  Sure, I'm open to spontaneity when traveling.  As long as I know where I'm going to sleep.  And most of what I'm going to do.  And how I'll get there.

So to find myself in a car with my husband, two good friends, and a guide, speeding from Cuzco towards Lake Titicaca with no idea where we'd sleep for the next three nights, was a bit unexpected.

These particular friends, Yoon and Kathy, are the most spontaneous people I know.  Yoon especially has an uncanny ability to feel out a situation and operate by intuition.  I've never met anyone who plans less or experiences more.  I've been needing some intuitive energy in my life, and so I'd decided on this trip to become a spontaneity apprentice.  Here I was, traveling to Lake Titicaca with no idea of where I'd sleep.  And I was loving it.

We got to Lake Titicaca in the late afternoon.  It didn't take long to find a hotel for the night, situated right by the lake and just outside the city of Puno.  (Let's just say that "outside" was really the best place to be in the city of Puno.)  I couldn't stop staring at the lake.  I don't know if it was the altitude, the clean air, the vacation high, or the energy coming from the lake; maybe it was all of these, but we all felt extremely positive and energized.  We could not stop smiling.

We wanted to go out on the lake the next day.  A lady from a travel agency offered us an overpriced, touristy trip; lots of money to be on a crowded boat for a few hours.  We said no thanks, we'd travel on a local boat.  Should we check the ferry schedules and decide which one to take?  "No," said Yoon, "Let's show up and see what happens."  I took a breath of that delicious air and decided to go with it.

So we showed up on the boat dock a little after 9:00 the next morning.  All the public ferries had left already.  Oops.

But there were a few private boat operators still hanging around the docks to catch the stragglers.  We mentioned that we wanted to go out to the islands, and they immediately began fighting over us.  We finally chose a kind, quiet man named Genaro, who went to get his boat.  It took a few minutes for him to maneuver his boat into position for us to board, which caused the other drivers to try one last time to lure us onto their boats.

This delay turned out to be quite fortunate.  As we waited, another couple walked onto the dock and stood waiting.  I asked them if they'd like to join us - after all, we were only five people and it was a pretty big boat.  They were happy to come along.  They'd also planned on taking the public ferry, but missed it that morning.  They'd thought they wouldn't be able to make it out to the islands; but, like magic, here was a waiting boat and some new friends.  Spontaneity won the day for them too.

So we boarded the boat, choosing to sit up on top to feel the fresh air and sunshine.  It was sunny and warm-ish (we needed sweaters, but we weren't freezing).  We made a quick stop at the Uros Islands (aka floating islands), then headed to the little island of Amantani.  The boat traveled slowly, so the trip took three hours.  I enjoyed every second, watching the scenery and the birds while getting to know our new friends better.  We had no idea what was coming; a homestay could mean we'd be sleeping on the floor, and what would we do for clean water?  I could've worried about whether we'd be safe and healthy that night, but I let that go and just enjoyed the ride.  What would come would come.

The boat pulled up to a little dock.  A woman and a young girl of about seven met the boat and helped it dock.  They introduced themselves as our hosts for the night.  As the girl and woman led us through various fields to get to their house, the boat driver came with us.  It soon became clear that it was his house too; the two were his wife and daughter.  The kind man we'd met on the boat dock had taken us to his own house.

When we got there, the woman (whose name was Flora) immediately began preparing us lunch.  Not just any lunch; a three-course Peruvian meal, with quinoa soup, little fish pulled from the lake, and many types of potatoes, along with an herbal tea she told us was extremely healthy.

As we digested our lunch, Flora led us to our rooms.  Not only were we not sleeping on the floor; each couple had their own delightful little room, with handwoven blankets on the beds and windows overlooking the island's coast.

Then Flora asked if we'd like to go to the top of the island (it's a low mountain) to watch the sunset.  "Of course we would," we replied.  She gave us each a handwoven hat to wear, insisting that we each take one (we could return it when we got back), and told us, maternally, to bring coats; it gets cold after sunset, she said.  Madeleini, the seven-year-old, would be our guide.  Flora said she couldn't come with us; she needed to stay home to prepare our dinner.  Skipping through fields at a pace that left us foreigners, unaccustomed to altitude, breathless, Madeleini led us to Pachamama (the highest point on the island), where we enjoyed a 360-degree view of the lake as the sun set.  We couldn't take our eyes off of it.

Soon after sunset, Madeleini started leading us back down.  Most of us soon realized that we hadn't brought flashlights.  This turned out to be no problem; the full moon provided plenty of illumination.  She led us, without hesitation, back down to her home, taking a different route to get there.  This seven-year-old had clearly spent plenty of time wandering the island, safe among her community.

After a delicious, home-cooked dinner, which the family shared with us, we went to our rooms for one of the most peaceful nights of sleep any of us had ever had.  We awoke with the sunrise, ate a huge and delicious breakfast, and prepared to board the boat again to ride home.  When we asked how much we owed, Flora surprised us by saying, "Whatever you want.  Pay nothing if you didn't have a good experience, or pay whatever you think you should pay."  Of course, we all ended up paying generously.

Flora and Madeleini surprised us by boarding the boat with us.  Flora had brought a bag full of cooked potatoes of many kinds for us all to snack on during the ride back.  We stopped by the neighboring island of Taquile, then headed back to Puno.  All too soon (well, it was three or four hours, but I could've stayed out on that water for days), we docked.  Hugs, photos, and effusive thanks followed, and then we had to say good-bye to our amazing hosts.

We could have planned a trip out to the islands with the travel agency.  I'm sure I would have enjoyed it; that water, those birds, all that beautiful clear energy would have been there anyway.  But we wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the experience that we had.  By letting go completely of my expectations, I got something that far exceeded whatever I might have expected.

   

Yoon and Kathy keep teaching me this: Just show up, and be open to possibility.  Their lives so far have been filled with adventure by following this simple formula.  I'm ready to see what more it will bring my way.

Do you feel the need to plan or are you comfortable following the mysteries of life?

365 Inspirations—273: A Walk in the SUN

Indecisive Seattle weather

One of the things I remember clearly from our trek over Salkantay Glacier in Peru is when our guide, a full-blooded Quechua, raised his hands, open palms to the air, just as the last ray of sun fell behind the glacier. He also closed his eyes and chanted something under his breath. In Quechua the sun is called 'inti' and is worshiped just like the moon 'quilla'. Pachamama, Mother Earth, is also highly revered.

After two days of torrential downpours ( I walked between squalls), I wanted nothing more than to get outside. I was determined, even though I had a full schedule today, to get outside and walk.

So even though the clouds looked dark and ominous, I convinced my husband to come with me to Greenlake for a 3-mile walk.

It started out windy and looked like a storm was going to crash on our heads, but then everything changed.

The dark clouds left the sky completely about half-way around the lake and the only thing overhead was that bright orb and blue sky.

Instinctively, my husband and I lifted our arms to the sun, palms to the sky, eyes closed, and just stood there very still taking it all in. We felt the warmth and let it penetrate us and give us the light we so miss this time of year.

After our little walk, despite storms and clouds (externally and internally) that still threaten our horizons to come, I felt energized. Such a simple, peaceful walk with my husband on a normally busy day changed my entire perspective about life. It made me want to slow down and it made me want to be present for the shifting winds that I'm sure are coming my way.

Do you ever stop to take in the sun, or is it around you all the time?

365 Inspirations—259: Living in the Light

Ruins of Machu Picchu

Ever since we came back from Peru, I feel very light and calm. I don't know if it is because we have descended from a very high altitude and all the oxygen in my lungs is making me feel extra high and happy, but I feel so good.

During our trip we were blessed by a shaman at a ruin that was pre-Incan. We were high up in the mountains. I still feel like the blessings I received are with me. Again, while trekking over Salkantay Glacier at 4,600 meters, our guide, a true Quechan who was born on the Inca Trail, blessed us each at the summit. He chanted and placed coco leaves for each of us under a stupa and left these leaves at the top of the mountain.

These blessings and this light and feeling of lightness has been following me around all day. I feel absolutely like I'm walking on clouds.

I'm not sure if I'll ever come down....maybe I will, maybe I won't.

I know life is bound to have its ups and downs. I don't have any expectations.

Yoon and I are about to go through some major transitions, but I'm not afraid.

After all, we all have to go through transitions, the biggest one being the end of our lives.

I've decided, while I'm here on earth, to walk in the light. Even when there are thunderstorms and lightening, I will find the light. I've let go of trying to control the wheel. I completely believe that life will show me the way.

This doesn't mean that I won't make plans or do things, it just means that I'm not hanging on to the outcome. This makes my life much lighter and it brings more light to my world and the world around me.

Afterall, we are all connected. How we live with this life we have is so important. I choose to live in the light, even when it seems like there is only darkness.

I believe and trust that things will be okay.

Do you tend to be an optimist or a pessimist? How does being one or the other affect your life?

365 Inspirations—257: Goodbye Peru

Last night, after a brief stop for dinner in a run-down town, we made it back to Cusco (a seven hour drive from Puno), checked into a hotel, took hot showers, repacked and then hit the hay.

We woke up this morning feeling refreshed and met two of our friends for breakfast which consisted of homemade bread, scrambled eggs, strong Peruvian coffee and juice.

We then met our friend and driver Isa at the chocolate museum and said our goodbyes to him after sipping chocolate tea.

Finally, we made our way down the cobblestone streets to the Temple of the Sun and wandered around. At 1pm, we enjoyed a three-course lunch and then planted ourselves on a bench in the main square with two of our friends and contemplated our amazing time in this country. We then said our goodbyes to them too as they will return to Seattle a day after us.

Now we are high up above the mountains in an airplane headed for Lima. We have a six-hour layover in Lima and then we board an all night flight to Los Angeles and then on to Seattle.

We won't arrive in Seattle until mid-day tomorrow.

I am now reflecting with Yoon on our time and I will not forget it.

Do you often feel excited to return home at the end of a trip, or do you wish you could stay longer?

365 Inspirations--256: Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca

After spending the night on Amantani Island, we headed over to Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca and walked the entire circumference of the top of the island.

We passed women in traditional clothing weaving with breathtaking views below, we passed villagers wearing colorful hats, sheep, chickens, flowers of brilliant colors, and children running and playing games in the cobblestone streets.

We are now on the boat again on a three hour journey back to Puno. I can't believe we will be leaving this country tomorrow. Our time here has been unbelievable. My first visit to Peru was hard due to my budget, the weather and sickness. This time it feels like Peru is giving me a big, warm hug. The sun is high and so are we--high on the beauty of this place.

I feel tremendously blessed for my experiences here almost 20 years later. Tonight we head to the mountains closer to Cusco and tomorrow we make our long journey home to Seattle. More soon....

Have you ever been to a place that was unforgettable and left a deep impression on you?

365 Inspirations--253: Peru Rail

Right now, we are on Peru Rail. We got on the train at 6:15pm at Machu Picchu station and we are heading to Ollantaytambo Station and then on to Cusco by minivan. The train is really nice. It's got sky windows, drink and food service and its very clean. I'm having chamomile tea and a ham and cheese roll which is included in the ticket!

I don't remember ever seeing these modern trains when I was here 20 years ago! They've definitely improved things here and made it easier and more pleasant to travel in Peru.

Have you ever traveled by train? Where did you go?

365 Inspirations--250: The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

I'm several posts behind, but am now catching up. We were way out in the Andes Mountains trekking and camping and it was impossible to get Internet, but I'm determined to keep these posts coming.

So let me backtrack a little.

On Friday, we began our trek over the Salkantay Glacier on our way to Machu Picchu. When we arrived at our trailhead, we had to wait two hours for our pack horses. We would be traveling with a cook, a guide and a horseman.

Since the horses were late, this put us back two hours on our arrival to the first camp and we had to trek in the dark with headlamps over very rocky and steep terrain and even our guide had difficulty finding the path.

The accent over Salkantay Glacier was not easy and the altitude gain was significant. We reached the top of the mountain at 4,200 meters--much higher than Washington's Mt. Rainier where I live.

Every step was a challenge near the top as we struggled to get oxygen.

We were happy to finally make it. We took a picture at the top and our guide performed a ritual. Our guide is Quechuan and was born on the Inca Trail. He very much believes in ancient rituals and making offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth).  Even though we were exhausted and it was starting to get cold on the mountain top, we stood in a circle holding two coco leaves each as our guide chanted each one of our names and wished everyone a safe journey.

He then placed the coco leaves under a stack of rocks at the summit and we turned to descend the mountain just as the sun was setting.

Have you ever reached the summit of a mountain or mountain pass? How did it feel?

365 Inspirations--248: A Day of Rest in a Peruvian Home

Today I woke up with traveller's diarrhea. It was my biggest fear about coming back to Peru! And here's my fear sitting with me today. In my 20s, I did not eat well while traveling overseas and as a result, became very ill and even ended up in a Thai hospital while traveling through India.

The others went to Cusco for the day and I have this huge house and garden all to myself. This house we rented in Urubamba  in Sacred Valley is one of the best parts of our trip! It's walled in and has fruit trees and lots of flowers and you can see mountains all around and a million stars!

The living room and dining room are huge and there's a lovely kitchen where we cook together or the caretaker cooks with us. In about 10 minutes, I'm going to the market with the caretaker to buy ingredients to make Saltado de Carne. I may even help to prepare the meal.

Later tonight a Peruvian band is coming to the house to play for us.....

More soon.

Have you ever gotten sick while traveling?

365 Inspirations--247: Ollantaytambo and Ceremony with Shaman

"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better."--Albert Einstein

Everyday is more amazing than the next and it's hard to put it all into words! We are seeing and feeling so much! Today we were blown away by the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. There are no words that will give it justice, but I'll post a few photos of the experience.

Later, we hiked high up a mountain and met with a shaman who performed a ritual in honor of Pachamama, Mother Earth. This was a little known spot in a cave in the mountains. He played a flute and burned some sweet smelling herbs. He had flowers arranged on a mat in the cave. We stood in a circle and held hands as he chanted. He called each of our names one by one and we made offerings of rice, dried beans, dried fish, and other plants to Pachamama. I felt my heart soar and felt truly blessed to be alive and to be having this experience. The place of the ceremony in the cave overlooked soaring mountains and there was an Ancient cross carved in the stone that was thought to be pre-Incan.

The shaman then wrapped all of our offerings in a blanket and we passed the wrapped offerings around and held them and each of us gave our silent blessings. Then we buried the offerings by throwing soil and alcohol made from corn on the burial site.

We then stood in silence and I felt tremendous peace.

I felt truly blessed and I share that all with you!

Have you ever participated in a ceremony or ancient ritual?

365 Inspirations—246: Sacred Valley

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."—Anonymous

We've been in Sacred Valley for two nights. I'm realizing that it's hard to blog on the road every single day when all you have is a backpack and you are in a foreign country. I'm doing this post on my husband's iPad mini, but its a little tricky! Not sure what I'll do while trekking to Machu Picchu?!

We are staying in a gorgeous house in Sacred Valley, Peru. We are on a yoga/trekking retreat! Today we spent the day at Pisac Market and went to a wildlife sanctuary where they take care of animals who may have been abused or injured. We saw giant condor, alpaca, pumas, llamas and many more animals and learned a lot. We then toured the Inca ruins in Pisac. The word for today is 'breathtaking' in all senses of this word. The high altitude took our breaths away, but the Inca ruins and the market made us gasp in wonder! I visited this country 20 years ago, but was afraid to return to because of the hard solo traveling I experienced. But this country has embraced me in its warmth and light and I am in awe of all that I see here. I'm seeing it with new eyes. And maybe Peru is seeing me with new eyes.

In my 20s, I did not realize the sacredness of this place because I was trying to survive on 5 soles a day. Now we have the means to fully experience it and absorb it. Tomorrow we will meet a shaman who is going to perform a private ritual for Pachamama. Pachamama is Mother Earth. The Incas and Quechua worship her and give thanks to her for the sun, fertile land, and good crops.

More soon from our journey....

Have you ever returned to a place and had a very different experience?

365 Inspirations--245: Cusco, Peru

We made it to Cusco, Peru with our group! Now heading to Sacred Valley...more soon if I can find wifi! Here's the photo!

365 Inspirations—244: Leaving on a Jet Plane

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."—Confucius

Well, we head out today for Peru and beyond!

Long, long flights ahead—Seattle to LAX, LAX to Lima, Lima to Cusco. We'll be in the air and on the ground for a good 20 hours or so!

Two of the people on our yoga/trekking retreat in Peru will have already arrived by the time we get there.

Our bags are packed, I've got my neck rest, my Peru travel guide to study on the plane and my journal.

We'll be staying in Sacred Valley for 4 nights at a beautiful house there and touring some of the nearby sights and ruins and then we'll head out on a 4 night 5 day trek to Machu Picchu. Looks like the weather is going to be good, but will run very hot in the day and down in the 30s at night!

More soon from Peru!

Have you been on a plane lately? Where did you go?

365 Inspirations—243: Packing

On my first trek to Machu Picchu nearly 20 years ago!

"Life is either a great adventure or nothing."—Helen Keller 

 Tomorrow we leave for Peru! Yikes!  Lots still to do, but I'm going to try and find inspiration in packing today. The weather is gorgeous today and we headed out to REI to pick up last minute hiking goods for our Salkantay Glacier Trek to Machu Picchu.

I took my husband to lunch at a fusion Chinese restaurant and then he had an ice cream outside in the sun while I was doing a few other last minute things.

My goal today is to try to pack so incredibly lightly that people look at my back pack and say, "That's all you have?!"

Things I'm bringing on my trip to Peru:

• Therma Rest Air Mattress (I heard the trekking companies in Peru have uncomfortable mats)
• Small/Packable Sleeping Bag
• LL Bean Down Jacket that stuffs in pocket (got in 1996 when I did hiking in Himalayas!)
• Helly Hansen Rain Pants/Jacket/stuffs in pockets (also got in 1996)
• Convertible short/pants (Got on Amazon for $30)
• Hiking Boots (Gore-tex Sportivas—Got on Amazon)
• Water Sandals (Just picked up a pair of Keen Sandals on Super Sale at REI)
• 2 tank tops/2 short sleeve shirts/2 long sleeve shirts
• yoga pants
• yoga mat
• skirt
• gloves/hat/sunhat
• 4 pairs hiking socks
• sunglasses
• Fleece jacket
• long underwear
• Personals—insect repellant/sunblock/etc.
• iPhone/ iPad mini for blogging ^_^!

I got a data plan on AT&T so that I can blog without roaming charges!

Looking forward to blogging and keeping you informed on the road of our expedition!

More soon from Peru—Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Vally, Puno, Lake Titicaca and beyond!

Do you enjoy packing for trips?