Enjoying Pisac and the Sacred Valley

October 14, 2014

"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."

The past couple months I have settled in Pisac, Peru. Ever since I arrived in May, I seem to be drawn back. There is a beautiful community and awareness here that makes me feel at home. Since Pisac is located in a valley of the Andes Mountains, there are lots of places to enjoy, and many incredible people to meet.

Ausangate

more pictures and stories to come when better internet is found...

Myself, Persona, PJ and Laura strut our stuff on our way to find lunch in a small town between Pisac and Ausangate

The VW van sits in front of Ausangate Mountain at 4200 meters. There are several of us soaking in the natural hot spring left of the van. Nice morning!

Pisac - Yin Yang Home

Housemates - Laura, Sanne and Tuula on bottom row. Myself, PJ and John

Frontal view of Yin Yang Home

Yin Yang Home where I lived for 7 weeks in September and October. What a lovely place to call home!

PJ, originally from rural Ireland, enjoys a book at the Yin Yang Home. So comfortable!

Preparation for a homemade vegetable lasagna!

View from inside Moto Tax. These vehicles make me laugh every time

We experimented with sourdough bread, an active yeast that comes from flour and water. And what delicious bread we made...

Tuula, originally from Finland, helped me a lot with making breads. Thanks Tuula for your enthusiasm!

Incan Terraces in Pisac. Hundreds of years ago, they grew food for thousands of people from these terraces

Kinsa Coccha

There is a Hiking Club that entertains hikers every Monday around the Valley. This hike we went to the Lakes of Kinsa Coccha, which in Quechua translates to mean three lakes.

Learning Meditation

Vipassana Retreat

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched -- they must be felt with the heart" Helen Keller
 

Housing Quarters for men

I learned of this ten day silent mediation retreat years ago. It intimidated me. No communication for ten days! Ten hours of mediation everyday! Sounds intense. It is. Words echoed in my memory when thinking of a challenge. "The  greater the challenge, the greater the reward." I decided to do it for multiple reason but mainly to learn more about myself and how my mind  works.
 
All over the world, Vipassana style mediation retreats are given throughout the year. The style of mediation was invented and gifted to the world over 2,500 years ago by Siddartha Guatama, more famously known as Buddha. The course provides the location, a place to sleep, healthy food, teaching and and environment where there are few distractions. At the end of the course, you can give a donation of whatever amount you feel is just.
 
What I experienced?
This was one of the most mentally challenging things I've ever done. It was quite the roller coaster of emotions. Certain days, and throughout these days, I would feel excited, tired, doubt, faith, pain, motivated, unmotivated, loneliness, community, the whole spectrum. Sometimes very strong, sometimes very subtle. And I was to process all these emotions without communicating!
 
What I learned?
Wow. I learned, and I am learning so much from this experience!
One goal is to observe your orderless, erratic 'monkey mind' as it jumps from one emotion or thought to another. These thoughts happen so fast and have no sense of order, and most of us live without control or awareness of it.
I am learning to observe these thoughts and emotions without judgment, without labels of good or bad. Just observing. I am more conscious of when my mind wanders off on irrelevant or unimportant topics. I am more conscious of how my body feels throughout the day. I am learning how authentic appreciation and giving generously makes us feel true joy. I am learning patience as I take small steps on a long path in my spirituality.
 
Who can do it?
Anyone! There is no religion affiliated with vipassana. Any person from any religious or atheist practice will benefit from the practice. So anyone who feels like they want more balance in their life, more awareness and joy, I strongly recommend this retreat.

There is a small river that runs through the property in Calca. A beautiful place to spend time during our breaks

Mom visits me in Peru!

August 19th

'You are now becoming what you are someday going to be.' - Jim McEachern

The past couple weeks my Mom and I have traveled around Peru. What a special treat to have Mom around! We met in Lima, the capital of Peru. The next day we traveled to Ica and visited an oasis in the middle of the desert. Then to Nasca to visit the famous and ancient geoglyphs in the desert. And the past week we have been relaxing in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. We volunteered at an Eco Yoga Farm near San Salvador, visited Incan ruins in Pisac, partied with Hare Krishna friends for their holiday, and met amazing people.
Thanks again Mom for making the time to visit me here in Peru. We will remember this forever!

We climbed some ancient Incan terraces in Pisac

Mom wanted to see what a local home looks like. So we knocked on a door and asked to be shown around. We are standing in the kitchen, very simply and small. This woman was extremely nice.

Mom and I take a ride in a motor taxi. This is a motorcycle with a sitting area attached to the back. They are abundant, super cheap and quick to get from place to place

Mom and I volunteered at an Eco Yoga Farm in the Sacred Valley. We practiced yoga, meditation, cooked and shared meals and enjoyed the beautiful nature.

Here a man walks behind two oxen plowing a field in preparation to plant seeds. Incredible that the locals use this technique instead of what we see normally, tractors and heavy equipment.

Pisac and San Salvador, Peru

May 25th, 2014

"Be the love you seek."

Pisac

Pisac lies in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Here in the valley are some famous Incan ruins including Macchu Picchu. Pisac is home to many local Peruanos and now a community of foreigners. I felt immediately comfortable here and found the community to be inviting and loving. I stayed two weeks and thouroughly enjoyed my time. My home was at a Yoga Bed and Breakfast called Nidra Wasi. This family run business is an extremely comfortable place to call home. Thank you Daya, Rafaela and your family!

Daya, Ricky and I enjoy a laugh at Nidra Wasi

These terraces were built by the Incans hundreds of years ago. They built them to grow food. Today they are still presevered and are in excellent condition. 

Incan Ruins near Pisac, Peru 

San Salvador

I spent a week in the tiny town of San Salvador with a couple friends. In this town, we were the only foreigners, which was really nice. Quechua and Spanish are spoken in the streets. The children are not shy, and will approach you to say hello. Colors are vibrant, smiles are common. I like this place.

In the mornings, I would make a fruit smoothie and sit in the sun in the courtyard. The fruit here is incredible! Mangos, papayas, bananas, and so much fruit I have never heard of.

The view from the chair in the previous picture. The mountains above were calling my name...

Quinoa grows all over Peru and Bolivia. Here the colorful quinoa grows in the mountains near San Salvador. This trek was a short walk from town.

San Salvador from above

Lares

A few friends traveled in the sacred valley to a tiny town called Lares. Here, they are known for the incredible hot springs coming from the earth's core. There are multiple pools with different temperatures, 360 degree views of mountains and the tranquility to sooth any soul. Here we relaxed, hiked and enjoyed our time for three beautiful days.

John from San Francisco, Laura from Australia and Stephanie from Germany and I enjoy the sunshine on a beautiful morning. The pools are in the background.

John and Stephanie share a moment during our hike

This rock was looking at me, so I had to take a picture

This is how the women from the country dress. Colorful, eh! Here they are selling their textiles to a community store.

The flowers here are so pretty

A mummy from pre-Hispanic times.

 The first time I discovered these bones was at night. Alone. In the mountains of the Peruvian Andes. I decided to follow up path on a hillside I stumbled upon, not knowing what I would find. As I slowly walked the edge of the hillside cliff, I felt a rush of insecurity that I should not be there, then I flashed my light to find these bones. WOAH, human bones! I could not believe it. The feelings I had were strong, a bit scary, and I decided to leave and return in daylight.