My Birthday In The Peruvian Amazon

   I wanted a memorable birthday and that is exactly what I got in the middle of the Amazon on a river cruise with the best man I know, my daddy! The entire week with G Adventures flew buy much too quickly but I will treasure this experience forever. We flew into Iquitos, the largest isolated city in the world with a population of 600,000, which was much larger than I imagined. The first stop was the manatee rescue centre. These friendly giants were much more than the blobs of fat that I expected. Their skin was soft, their movement elegant and their smiles heartwarming especially when they were eating bananas out of my palm. The turtles and monkeys there seemed to be also enjoying themselves especially the black chested tamarin monkey who jumped all over us and even attempted to bite my neck with his baby teeth. 

   Next it was time to board the Queen Violeta which had the largest rooms I've ever seen in a ship. Believe it or not we even had a giant bathtub! I didn't go in it because, even though it was treated, the water was brown from the sediment of the amazon river which didn't make it to inviting. I quickly learned that when G adventures advertises comfort they sure mean it. From the cabins, to the staff and the food all of it was excellent!

   The activities is what really made the experience so special. Each day we got on the skiff and explored the wild life. We spotted many monkeys, sloths, all types of birds, iguanas, frogs, a tarantula, a bird eating spider, bullet ants, and tons of other giant insects. My favourite were the pink dolphins that circled all around us as the jungle sung us symphonies.
Our nature guides were keen to show us the animals up close and personal which resulted in an aggressive and wet battle with a sloth that came for a forced visit on to our skiff. Our tranquil night ride, illuminated with glow worms and cayman eyes also ended in a similar fashion. Again, seeing the caymans from a distance wasn't enough so one of the passengers held on to our guides ankles as he dangled off the boat and caught a baby cayman to show us. Of course none of the animals were hurt but the humans did get a few rashes and scratches. Well, other than the piranhas that we caught during our fishing trip.

   Our encounters with the humans were equally as impactful. We visited a shaman lady and learned about her plant medicines, went on a canoe ride with the locals from one of the villages, and had a delicious lunch with a local family at their home where I tried some monkey. Yes you read right, I ate monkey and it was actually really good. What was really special was visiting a school in a small village of only 120 people. The kids were so thankful for the pencils and notebooks that we brought them that they even broke out in song for us. When asked what they wanted to be when they grew up the youngest girl, who was only 3 and looked a lot like me at that age, announced she wants to be a tourist.  As she twirled in her pretty white dress I couldn't help but think of how slim her chances are to have the same opportunity as us. But even without all the shiny iPads and all the rest of the materialistic luxurious of the western world these people are rich in life. They have strong spirits, unforgettable smiles and an appreciation towards life that we can all really learn from. As I blew out my candle, signifying my 27th birthday, for the first time in my life I didn't make a wish. Instead I gave gratitude for everything I gained out of this unforgettable experience and amazing life.

The Animals

The Scenery

The People

15-22 MAR 2014

The Dance!

   I finally did it! I uploaded my first dance video on my myworldwithdance blog. Yes this is a huge accomplishment for me and I did think it would come a lot sooner. There were a few set backs that I know managed to figure out. I'm happy to report that the first dance was in front of the illimani in Bolivia on the last day of my shaman course. I chose this song because I feel like a gypsy running around the world with the backpack. Thank you to my viewers for letting me into their worlds, all my supporters for helping me find my way and of course my brother and sister from the pachamama for making this happen!

AHO!

Salt Flats of Uyuni

   This was another place on my bucket list that I've happily ticked off, the salt flats in Bolivia. I took a 3 day tour to take it all in starting in San Pedro de Atacama and ending in Uyuni. The 3 days were spent in a jeep off-roading through colourful lakes with llamas, steaming geysers bubbling mud, and rock formations and mountains that look out of this world. It was really a sight to see with nature at its finest glory.

   Of course the highlight was the salt flat near Uyuni, which is the biggest in the world. We were there for sun rise which made it even more spectacular. As the sun rose everything doubled by the reflection of the salt. Flamingoes were flying over top and cloud formations looked heavenly. We then had breakfast at the salt hotel, which as the name suggests is made entirely out of salt including the chairs and tables.

   After gaining some energy it was time to play. I couldn't leave with at least a dozen cool pictures! I then proceeded to having kung fu fights with a dinosaur, cuddling a monkey, making human formations, and conquering mountains. What a great start to Bolivia, I'm sure it has plenty more to offer!

29 JAN - 2 FEB 2014

San Pedro De Atacama

   When I imagined a dessert I thought of a rugged landscape uni tone and blazing hot. I should have realized that's not the case considering Chile is the country of contrasts. Instead there was a pleasant town right in the middle of no where surrounded by scenery that is out of this world. From salt flats, to towering volcanoes, lakes and tons of fauna. Not much like a dessert at all.

   I lucked out with another gracious host that was keen to show me around. He didn't speak much English though so believe it or not I communicated surge him for 3 days in Spanish. Jorge, like most locals, lives in a mud house. Thankfully it only rains about once in every 11 years but when it does it is a catastrophe. Jorge works part time at the museum of anthropology which I was happy to receive a private tour of. It was great learning about the culture and the history and I was amazed to so many kinds of pipes and sniffing tools. Everything there seemed to either be for hallucinogenic or sacrificial ceremonies. What a life!

   On my first day in town I drove us to the Salar de Atacama. The salt flat was gorgeous with tons of multi coloured minerals leaving the ground blazing with colour. The flamingos were a nice touch giving the place life. The real treat was watching the sun go down as it lit up the sky in all shades of fire.

   On day two we drove out to the Peidres de Rojos. This is an area known for the multi coloured mountainside surrounding the salt flats. I felt as if I was in a painting with the sight so beautiful I couldn't believe its real. The oddest thing was that there wasn't a tourist or even other human life around. Only foxes, vicuñas and chinchillas roamed the changing landscapes.

   Racing to beat the sunset after a beautiful day out was exhilarating and more adventurous than I would have liked. The gravel roads are challenging to navigate but the coca leaves kept me on track. To answer the question yes it is the same leaf used for cocaine but you need about 2 kg of the stuff to make just one gram. It is actually good for you and keeps the altitude sickness away. For a fun partly trick put a bit of ash on your tongue and then chew some coca like the indigenous did during ceremonies. It will take your heart beat and visuals for a bit of a ride.

   Day three was mostly a lazy day spent around San Pedro de Atacama. I tried going to the hot springs but by the time I got there they were closed. I did sneak in one picture as the guards chased me away. The evening was a real treat to make up for it. We decided to have a big BBQ under the stars accompanied by vino tinto, from Chile of course. Delicious indeed and a great way to celebrate all the country had to offer.

Ciao Chile y gracias por todo!

26-28 Jan 2014

The Rebirth: A Shamanic Experience

   It's hard to find the right words for some things and this experience has definitely been one of them. It has been the most impactful 23 days of my life and I feel like I have had several rebirths. I have new eyes and a fresh heart that is connected to Mother Earth which is the greatest gift of all.

   The experience hasn't been easy. I have emptied my tears, felt anguish and pain but in the end it all came together to allow me to grow into this much better version of me. I have confronted my weaknesses and accepted the past as a lesson. The only way to put your history to rest is releasing the emotional attachment you have to it but we should never forget. All things that have been have led me here and for that I am forever grateful.

   The shamanic course took place only an hour away from La Paz but far away from the hustle of the city life. Allkamari Resort is situated on a hill top overlooking a tranquil valley full of energy and the powerful Illimani mountain signifying the great wisdom of the East. Here everything is meaningful and is important and therefore needs to be treated with respect. All things in our world are connected by energy. We are one with the earth and all the things around us. To truly love yourself you also need to love Mother Earth. If we forget the importance of a rock we also turn a blind eye on its creator who placed us here. Instead I choose to love Pachamama whole heartily.

   I have lived through 11 ceremonies: 7 Ayahuascas, 2 San Pedros, and 2 Temazkals (sweat lodge). Every second day a meal was skipped and in most cases a full nights sleep. The first 11 days were so challenging with a strict diet of only rice, mate (large corn), black fermented potatoes, and fish for lunch after the Ayahuasca ceremonies. There were 6 in the sequence and each one had a powerful lesson. I have to admit the diet broke me and I ended up cheating a bit in the last few days. We all have a breaking point and my body reached its limit. I had a cut finger forbidding me to write, a huge blister on my heal begging me to stop moving, a sun burn insisting I stay out of the light, and an upset stomach denying everything it is given. The physical transformation was evident and signified the changes that were happening within me. Our physical corpse is a reflection of our emotional, mental and spiritual states and when huge changes take place it shakes all parts of our being. At this point I gave in and I realized that with pain comes great compassion and humility. It was a chance for my spirit to grow and I accepted the lesson with an open heart.

   Ayahuasca ceremonies were intense and always conducted in the darkness inside the kipa. The great mother spirit is an ancient medicine that cleanses your insides both emotionally and physically. I have never puked so much as I have during this experience but all those things needed to come out and now I am free of them. I have faced my demons and then I released them so they no longer posses me.

   To substitute the light there was songs and instruments to guide you. I have never sung so much and all my songs came straight from my heart. I got the opportunity to compose and to improvise with my voice and it poured out of me in Russian, English and even Spanish at times. My melodies were dedicated to all the mothers, the moon, and my new illas (spirit rocks) that will accompany me through my life giving me courage, wisdom, protection, and love.

   My illas are my companions and not my possessions. It is an important lesson in itself as consumerism is making our world a dark shallow place. Possessions feed a hollow void as greed fuels the ego. In this process I have understood that our fake sense of ownership destroys Mother Earth and life fades away. I have now been connected to the bigger purpose and will not turn a blind eye to all I have learned.

   Another unforgettable experience was my first San Pedro ceremony on Isla del Sol, which is right in the middle of Lake Titicaca. In the north part of the island it is believed the first ray of sun touched the Earth. It is a sacred place full of healing energy. As we made a pilgrimage from the south of the island to north I felt a huge connection with everything around me. I wanted to kiss every rock and listen to its story that dated back much further than my body. When we reached the sun table, the location of the first light, I could feel the powerful energy entering me. We preformed a sacred ritual binding all 12 of us together through a string tied to our necks and wrists. The tribe was formed and together we are stronger. We are linked and distance cannot separate us. Together we can fight injustice and spread love through ourselves.

   I have also been initiated into Reiki. Everything happens at the exact right time and my introduction to this sacred practice came right before the final ceremony. The great grandfather spirit of San Pedro helped me open my chakras and feel energy like I never have before. I was able to see energy through colours and shapes in my third eye. Energy can not be created or destroyed it can simply be transformed. I used my body as a channel to flood the room with gratitude and love. Through song, movement, and cleansing the light conquered darkness. The sun came up and it was time to crawl back into the womb of the Earth, the Temazkal (sweat lodge). With the heat rose our prayers and gratitude. I pushed my self past my limits and all I could do in the end is let Pachamama absorb my tears of love flooding from my heart.

   I am the change I want to see in the world. Let this be evident in all my relationships that I treat with love and respect. My open heart is receptive to energy and my mind is aware. I vow to live in an equilibrium with all things around me. I am reborn.

Sunsets at Allkamari:

The Temazkal

My place was under this painting in the Kipa  and describes what I saw well

Isla del Sol sunset

Mini me :)
each of us planted a tree so that it flourishes and grows with us

Aho!

2 - 23 FEB 2014