Peru .. Nature and Man in harmonious play.Unforgettable.
Hi Players,
I have just returned from an unforgettable 13-days travel to Peru. Travel is definitely my favorite “play”.
Travel allows me to explore new places while learning from other culture’s ancient wisdom.
Our trip started in the Peru Jungle (a short flight from Lima to Pt. Maldonado),in the Inkaterra Amazonica reserve on the Madre de Dios river.
The place is designed to give you the sense of being in the jungle while allowing you to enjoy modern life’s comfort.
I was amazed how at night you could see the magnificent sky filled with thousand stars (I had never experienced this clear view of the milky way).
In the morning I woke up to nature’s “alarm clock”- the voices of different birds.
The Birds’s voices made me think about finding our own voice in the world.
Our ‘jungle’ resort
Every bird has its unique voice .
The bird is not questioning its voice.
t was born to make this perfect and unique voice that seperates the bird from every other bird.
Its voice is both a blessing and a curse .
A Blessing- to be able to connect to its flock .
A curse- to be seen and killed by its enemies.
Although there is a risk of dying while “speaking” its unique voice , nature’s wisdom is obvious – Having your own unique voice worth the risk.
Have you found your own voice ? if not , what is holding you back ?
Boat ride on the Amazonas river
Our next stop was Cuzco.
Cuzco was the historical capital of the Inca Empire.
Its elevation is around 3,400 m (11,200 ft)….
Let’s talk altitude sickness.
We were warned of the symptoms of altitude sickness before our travel and once again when we met our local guide.
We were encouraged to take certain precautions, but although we did,I got sick.
My hubby encouraged me to get help (An oxygenOxygen/seeing a doctor).
I being stubborn (as always) refused., being stubborn (as always), A few hours later, I was feeling bad so he stopped asking and brought one of the hotel employees with an oxygen tank.
Ten minutes later, I was already feeling better.
This made me think about how often when we pursue our goals (to the highest altitude possible, the sky is the limit we say..)
we feel “sick” , maybe uncertain, confused.
In such moments all we need is to ask for help or have our best friend at our side.
This lady doesn’t need any Oxygen…
The Most amazing thing we visited ,(no wonder it was voted as one of the seventh wonders of the world) ,was Machu-Picchu.
(the name means “old and wise mountain” in the Quechuan language).
When we got there, it was very foggy; we could not see a thing. I panicked a little…🤔
The mesmerizing views of the area were revealed to us piece by piece when the mist that covered the mountains faded slowly.
The total effect of the views cannot be descrobed ,explained or captured by any picture. You must see it to understand.
The architecture of the Inca ,who have worshiped nature – the sun , the mountains and Pachamama- mother earth , perform a beautiful harmony between man build creations and nature.
Many quechuans (the native peruvians) believe that Problems arise when people take too much from nature because they are taking too much from Pachamama.
Fogy Machu-Pichu
I am fascinated with other cultures wisdom, and since I am curious about the meaning of happines,
I asked our quechuan guide ,victoria ,for the meaning of happiness for the quechan people.
Her answer was “Chuya”-to Be the leader of your body and emotions. I cannot agree more.
Rural view
Our trip took us through the rural areas between Cuzco and Puno.
I was watching the small houses (with toilettes outside in the yard), the women and men working hard in the quinoa, potato and corn fields,
women doing laundry in the river , and children walk the herds of llamas and alpacas in the mountains.
I could not avoid thinking how privileged I am to have so many opportunities they will never have .
Yet,at the same time I wondered whether I make the most of the cards I was handed
Am I grateful as I should be?
Do you feel grateful for the privileges you have and do you use the gifts you were given in the best way possible ?
Urus Islands
When we got to Titicaca Lake, which is a large, deep lake in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia (it is often called the highest navigable lake in the world, with a surface elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 ft))
I discovered that gender equality works better than in the Western world.
In Taquile Island known for its highest quality hand-woven textiles and clothing, knitting is exclusively performed by males, starting at age six/seven (they walk while knitting. pretty amazing).
Women spin wool and use vegetables and minerals to dye it for the community.
In the Urus Islands, where people live on floating islands made of reeds, I learned a new method to solve problems.
If the families—five or six who share one small island (the ability to share is fascinating by itself)—don’t get along, they just cut the Island in two. Simple Relationships.
I wish it were as easy for us.
The last stop on our trip was Colca Canyon, which has a depth of 3,270 m (10,725 ft ).
It is one of the deepest canyons in the world. (more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the US)
The Colca Canyon is home to the Andean Condor.
Watching the young (brown feathers) and adult (black and white feathers) condors fly was inspiring.
While watching the soar of this giant bird, I remembered the presentation I once saw featuring Condor’s “cousin”, -The eagle and the painful process of change that has to happen for growth. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXTrWPvP0iQ).
I thought about the changes I needed to make in order to soar as high as the Condor does.
The hotel we stayed in the Canyon had small alpacas (and baby alpacas..so cute) and llamas ranch.
We went to feed the animals that were behind the fence.
The animals kept running away from us.
Without fear,a little girl who was trying as we did (her father was very cool with it as well) climbed over the fence and started running after them.
The existence of the fence had no meaning for her.
I wondered at what age we start setting boundaries that limit us.
I am not talking about healthy boundaries that are needed for our safety and personal space; I am talking about the “bad” boundaries that convince us that there are certain things we cannot do.
I do hope this little girl will maintain her freedom when she grows up (if no adults get in her way). What boundaries limit your choices and dreams?
Last day.Lima.
On our way to the airport, driving on the beautiful beaches of the ocean, the song on the radio summed up this fantastic experience.
”Cherish” by Kool and the Gang.
”We should cherish the life we live,” and I must add that we also should cherish the treasures of nature.
We have only one planet.
Let’s respect Pachamama
Playfully yours,
Rina 🙂
