Life in Urubamba

It's been a busy couple of days here in Peru, and I'm trying to get all this trip has to offer in terms of learning and self reflection before it's over in just a few days.

I have spent most of the last 6 days in Urubamba, not a typical tourist destination. It's been wonderful to walk along the streets and not get approached to buy things as we are constantly in Cusco. I love going out to eat and being the only Westerner there, drawing curious glances.

My favourite spot is a group of benches round a fountain (of an ear of corn, very Peruvian). I can sit for an hour, surrounded by palm trees, watching people pass by the fountain and dip their hands into the water and wash their faces, or some happy dogs running around after each other (sometimes into the fountain the person just washed their face in)!

There is always something going on: a market, live music, a protest or a dance show. This place is never quiet! The driving is terrifying as the cross road system has cars and tuk tuks beeping before racing through the blind junctions. The dogs are better at crossing the roads than I am here!

You can enjoy a "menu of the day" which is 3 homemade nutritious courses and a drink for 12 sol (about £2.50). I even bought a traditional style bright pink skirt that has attracted compliments from tourists and locals alike!

Coming here has helped me feel much more connected to the real Peru. Outside of tourist towns you get to see normal people doing normal jobs. The way of life is so different, and the shops so random, I passed wool and party shops still open at 7pm on a Tuesday night!

I've now forgotten what it's like to be served a meal in less than 2 hours and I've learned to slow down. I can't remember the last time I was so comfortable moving slowly, allowing life to simply flow rather than pushing to make things happen on a schedule.

A friend and I talked about it today, she said the pace here will remind her that we don't really need to rush about our lives at home. Here in Peru, things just happen if and when they happen. The fluidity and uncertainty are part of the culture here.

Yesterday morning I took a stroll along the stream near the hotel and watched a hummingbird drink from it. It's been a huge pleasure to enjoy these birds in their natural environment, I do wish they had them in Scotland!

And tomorrow, back to Cusco for the last 2 days. It's mostly integration and sharing time, and I have a few more experiences to share with you on here. I'm beginning to realise the overall gift of this experience for me personally, and I hope to share some of that with you too.

Seeing so much of this beautiful country has been amazing, and learning from some incredible local spiritual leaders has truly been life-changing. More on that tomorrow!

photos: me at the plaza with my skirt / local dog (in skirt shop), urubamba food market / delicious local food

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