Peru
When I think of the places I have been in the world, much like the writer of Eat, Pray, Love, I believe that each place has that one word that defines it. If I had to choose one word to define Peru, it would be healing. So I open this blog entry with the Peruvian legend of an apacheta.
A Quechua word that means "the source where the flow begins" one can find apachetas in many of the most sacred sites of Peru. A pile of stones near the entrance to the sacred site, pilgrims make their stone offering to the Incan God, Mama Pacha. She is the mother of Earth, the embodiment of nature's beauty and compassion. Irregardless of their religious persuasion, travelers participate in this local tradition, placing their stone with all the others. They imbue this stome with something they wish to rid their heart of -- loss, selfishness, greed, false ambitions. It is the physical manifestation of a very personal introspection. It is in veneration to the wisdom of an ancient civilization.
As my sister and I wandered the markets of Cuzco, I searched for my ceremonial rock. Finally wandering upon a small basket of quartz, I rifled through the stones, searching for the one that called to me. I happily gave the vendor his sol, and went on my way, pocketing the stone, imbibing it with my well wishes.
The next day as we wandered the hills of the Incans, I popped my IPOD in and began the arduous trek up Huayna Picchu, the majestic peak that overlooks Macchu Picchu like a watchful guardian. As I gazed over Huayna Picchu, I said my own little prayer. The sacred site would soon be closing, and my sister and I would not be able to hike to the Sun Gate on the opposite side as I had hoped to place our stones on the ceremonial apacheta. We would have to make an apacheta of our own--so we did.
It wasn't until I returned to California that I realized my prayer had been answered. I suddenly felt this burden in my heart disappear.
So while I will always remember the flight of the mysterious Nazca Lines...the visit to Ollantaytambo, a place worthy of an Indiana Jones movie....the colorful marketplaces, the delicious saltados....the most important memory of Peru will always be of Macchu Picchu.
It may be cliche, but it was a place of peace, beauty, a place apart from the rest of the world -- and for me, it was ultimately a place of healing. I placed my crystal in a place that felt like its home....I like to imagine that while it may have been washed away by a gentle rain, it is still there.
P.S. I updated my World Playlist so check that out. :)
A Quechua word that means "the source where the flow begins" one can find apachetas in many of the most sacred sites of Peru. A pile of stones near the entrance to the sacred site, pilgrims make their stone offering to the Incan God, Mama Pacha. She is the mother of Earth, the embodiment of nature's beauty and compassion. Irregardless of their religious persuasion, travelers participate in this local tradition, placing their stone with all the others. They imbue this stome with something they wish to rid their heart of -- loss, selfishness, greed, false ambitions. It is the physical manifestation of a very personal introspection. It is in veneration to the wisdom of an ancient civilization.
As my sister and I wandered the markets of Cuzco, I searched for my ceremonial rock. Finally wandering upon a small basket of quartz, I rifled through the stones, searching for the one that called to me. I happily gave the vendor his sol, and went on my way, pocketing the stone, imbibing it with my well wishes.
The next day as we wandered the hills of the Incans, I popped my IPOD in and began the arduous trek up Huayna Picchu, the majestic peak that overlooks Macchu Picchu like a watchful guardian. As I gazed over Huayna Picchu, I said my own little prayer. The sacred site would soon be closing, and my sister and I would not be able to hike to the Sun Gate on the opposite side as I had hoped to place our stones on the ceremonial apacheta. We would have to make an apacheta of our own--so we did.
It wasn't until I returned to California that I realized my prayer had been answered. I suddenly felt this burden in my heart disappear.
So while I will always remember the flight of the mysterious Nazca Lines...the visit to Ollantaytambo, a place worthy of an Indiana Jones movie....the colorful marketplaces, the delicious saltados....the most important memory of Peru will always be of Macchu Picchu.
It may be cliche, but it was a place of peace, beauty, a place apart from the rest of the world -- and for me, it was ultimately a place of healing. I placed my crystal in a place that felt like its home....I like to imagine that while it may have been washed away by a gentle rain, it is still there.
P.S. I updated my World Playlist so check that out. :)
Comments
Post a Comment