Peru - The Journey Begins
I have a lot on my plate, just like all of you. I think it was in the early 1990's when I stopped traveling like an American and truly embraced the art of what the Europeans call the holiday. No longer would my vacations be stay-cations or a week somewhere where I would rush to see and do all I could. This was my time and if I was going to pay for airfare somewhere I would be staying a minimum of a month, immersing myself in the culture, experiencing the spiritual aspects of the location.
Such was the case with Peru where I decided on a 3 month trek in the late 1990s through this land that has the most variety of climates and micro-climates on the planet with 30 of the world's 32 temperate zones.
In order to understand a little about me, you have to know that when I get something in my head, I get consumed with it until I do it. That also extends to how I travel. I must have a lot of nomad in some distant ancestral blood, for I am at times, more comfortable being on the road then stuck in one place.
This Peru trip all started when I was having coffee at the local southern Arizona Starbucks, sitting outside at one of the tables. The place was filled with regulars, sitting at their usual table. This group of men consisted of a retired engineer and two self-employed business owners. I was familiar with the gang, but normally sat alone with journal in hand writing poetry, songs and thoughts of the day. Today these men were talking about traveling abroad and my ears perked up. The topic was Machu Picchu and there purused an article in some magazine about this place. I was intrigued and asked if I could join them at their table listening as they spoke about this magical place and planned their future trip. I sat there engrossed in the explanation of the history and felt that tickle in my belly that has always meant that I was itching, ready for a new adventure. A couple of days later a friend handed me a book called the Celestine Prophecy where the author speaks about Peru. Within a week I met yet more people with connections to Peru, some with contacts to tribal elders (Shamans) in the Amazon and others with ACEER (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research). The seed was planted and I knew I wanted to go.
As far as those men at that table who talked about traveling to Machu Picchu, l hadn't heard anything about them actually ever going and maybe they're still meeting and talking about making plans to do some big adventure. As for me, I had a general idea of how I wanted to spend my 3 months abroad, made my appointment to get the inoculations I needed to go into the jungle part of my journey and was on a plane 3 weeks later on my way to Peru, hoping to gain a few steps closer toward enlightenment.
This Peru trip all started when I was having coffee at the local southern Arizona Starbucks, sitting outside at one of the tables. The place was filled with regulars, sitting at their usual table. This group of men consisted of a retired engineer and two self-employed business owners. I was familiar with the gang, but normally sat alone with journal in hand writing poetry, songs and thoughts of the day. Today these men were talking about traveling abroad and my ears perked up. The topic was Machu Picchu and there purused an article in some magazine about this place. I was intrigued and asked if I could join them at their table listening as they spoke about this magical place and planned their future trip. I sat there engrossed in the explanation of the history and felt that tickle in my belly that has always meant that I was itching, ready for a new adventure. A couple of days later a friend handed me a book called the Celestine Prophecy where the author speaks about Peru. Within a week I met yet more people with connections to Peru, some with contacts to tribal elders (Shamans) in the Amazon and others with ACEER (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research). The seed was planted and I knew I wanted to go.
As far as those men at that table who talked about traveling to Machu Picchu, l hadn't heard anything about them actually ever going and maybe they're still meeting and talking about making plans to do some big adventure. As for me, I had a general idea of how I wanted to spend my 3 months abroad, made my appointment to get the inoculations I needed to go into the jungle part of my journey and was on a plane 3 weeks later on my way to Peru, hoping to gain a few steps closer toward enlightenment.
As I boarded my final connection in Houston, I was fortunate to have enough accumulated miles for an upgrade to business class seating for the seven hour flight. On each seat was a blanket, pillow and a package filled with socks, a tooth brush, tooth paste, ear plugs and a sleep mask. It was an overnight flight and my seat electronically reclined into a bed. I was traveling alone and smiled at these creature comforts. I exchanged a few words before retiring for the night with the young girl seated next to me who was working on her doctorate thesis.
I would like to say that I arrived refreshed, but the film in my mouth was an indication to the contrary. I quickly departed the plane sailed through customs then had another hour wait for my internal flight to Iquitos. First stop in Peru was the Amazon.
While in Peru I visited Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Titicaca, the Amazon and other cities, so look for those posts in this series.
Wishing you your own Travel Awakenings,
LeeZa Donatella
LeeZa Donatella
Here are some links to items I enjoy, that you may find useful
All my Books available on Amazon
Other authors books that have helped me on my journey.
All my Books available on Amazon
Other authors books that have helped me on my journey.
The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
The Essential Rumi by Jalal al-Din Rumi
Carlos Castaneda's books
Leeza Donatella is an author, speaker and teacher
I love how you wrote with your soul Leeza. Good on you for truly embracing the meaning of travel, Peru is definitely on my to go list and I'm hoping to be able to take my time to see the place like what you did. Bon voyage & stay adventurous!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Juliet
http://lacenruffles.com