More Photos from Peru

I am grateful for the wonderful feedback you sent from last month’s newsletter and my article, “My Peruvian Travels: Personal Healing and Professional Growth.” There were also requests for more photos, so here they are!

1. The textiles created by the Shipibo are beautiful representations of their icaros, or healing songs.
2. My first day was spent at this seaside cafe in Lima, chatting with other students and sipping on cappuccino.
3. The next day, after an hour flight from Lima to Pucallpa, we went to the market to purchase mapacho and agua florida, and then headed to the boat launch for our hour-long transport to our village in the jungle.
4. This is the malacca, where we slept, spent our days in prayer and meditation, and experienced healing ceremonies.
5. This is the inside of the malacca. We pitched our own mosquito-proof tents around the perimeter to create our home-away-from-home! Hammocks were suspended from the center post, like spokes of a wheel, where we could relax during the day.
6. One brave soul opted to sleep outside!
7. This is Manuella, the matriarch of the family.
8. Manuella’s daughter was Herlinda, a beautiful healer. Here is a poster dedicated to Herlinda that was hanging in the dining area.
9. Herlinda’s shrine.
10. Here I am, posing with Herlinda’s husband, Enrique. He is the shaman who led our healing ceremonies, provided massages, and offered support throughout our 7 days of fasting and meditation.
11. I felt especially connected to the trees and Deer, my power animal, during my meditations. Do you see Deer in this photo?
12. Each afternoon, after our meditation time was complete, we walked this quarter-mile path to the compound for a meal, a shower, and time to hang out.
13. This is where we took our showers…well, sort of. The pump wasn’t working so there was no running water. We dumped well water on ourselves, lathered up, and then rinsed off…making sure to keep our mouth closed tight!
14. These next three photos are of the porch and dining room at the compound. This is also where our teachers led their classes.
15. Notice the beautiful designs painted on the buildings. These are the same designs that they use for their textiles, boats, pottery…and tattoos, too!
16. In this one, Edith is singing an icaro for me to receive Pacha Mama, the stars, and the plants of the jungle to provide health and protection in my body.
17. Here’s a close-up of my tattoo. It’s faded now, but I’d love to get another, as long as it’s henna!
18. Each evening, we returned to the malacca around 8 pm. Here is the path to the outhouse…not so bad during the day, but a little scary at night. I just walked the path, did my business, and walked back…trying not to think about what might be lurking in the jungle!
19. We did have some free time for shopping…
20. …and a day trip down the Ucayali, towards the Amazon, enjoying a delightful breeze and a refreshing swim (again, being sure to keep my mouth closed tight!)
21. All in all, it was an incredible, transformative experience.  I look forward to returning someday. In the meantime…
22. …Adios! And many blessings to all of our Shipibo friends.

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