Finding my feet

It's only day 3 of my official trip and I feel like there is so much I could share. I guess you don't read this to be lectured about Peruvian cultures so let me give you the highlights of the last 2 days for me (honestly there is so much I could mention so I'll go with what feels right).

I had my individual coca leaf reading yesterday and I'm still processing it. Adriel gets into a ceremony and then he throws the leaves and reads them. It was like nothing I've experienced before. Honestly, it wasn't what I expected (if I expected anything) because he shared a lot of information and insights about other people in my life. I thought it was more a reading about me!

It was amazing how accurate many of his details were, he asked me questions and then gave advice from his spiritual guides. It doesn't feel right to share any more in depth here, but he affirmed that my move to the countryside and the work I do is the right path for me, so that's good to hear!

Everything about this trip is strange and exciting in a good way. Today we finally got up into the mountains and back into nature! We did a Qheshwa Ceremony using the coca leaves to bring blessings to our family and our trip. Being taken right into the heart of their spiritual culture is just so special.

I found these experiences more valuable than the tourist spots we visited but they were still spectacular. I didn't expect to see so many wild horses and dogs (including Frank's Peruvian cousin)! The way animals are part of the landscape in the city, shops and countryside here is so different. Speaking of which, today I saw my first hummingbird!

It was a magical moment, to simply sit and observe it. In Peruvian culture, the hummingbird represents the connection between humans and the divine (or god). It seemed like a good omen!

If you're thinking that their culture seems very separate from our in the UK, it's really not. Over the years, Christianity came to Peru and the overlaid Peruvian gods with Christian ones. "Pachamama" or Mother Earth, is also the Virgin Mary for example, they see all forms of spirituality being connected which I love, because I feel that way too.

We even had a good giggle at a famous religious painting yesterday because it shows Jesus on the Cross with his disciples, and they are all chewing Coca leaves!

So that is today, a mix of cultures, experiences and faiths. We are really just finding our feet here and beginning to explore. I'm really excited for what comes next.

photos: hummingbird / a wild dog joins our ceremonial circle / the group at a sacred Incan water fountain

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