Travel Around Planet

Archive for July, 2010

The Sacred Plants Of The Incas – The Timeless World Of The Andes

The Incas regarded coca as the divine plant mainly because of its property of imparting endurance nevertheless its use was entwined with every aspect of life; the art mythology culture and economy of the Inca Empire.

Millions of Indians have chewed coca on a daily basis for many hundreds of years yet never has a plant been so misrepresented and its use so controlled by prejudice and ignorance including up to the present day. The Conquistadors considered it an idle and offensive habit to be prohibited but it was soon seen that the Indians could not work without coca even when forced to do so.

The coca leaf has been sacred to Andean people since the dawn of preColombian civilization. Doris Rivera Lenz a renowned Andean Ceremonialist healer and Coca leaf Diviner when asked about the source of the information she divines from them she says:

“They give me such a powerful awareness it is as though an energy comes into me from just touching them. I invoke Mother Nature and the spirit of the coca and with just seven leaves the answer comes as though through an open doorway.”

Healing
An ancient method of diagnosing illness still common in Peru is to rub an egg over the body of the patient. Doris is gifted in this tradition and prescribes remedies which include medicinal herbs.

Much Andean wisdom is based on observation of nature noting for example that if the ducks go round in circles there will be long rains etc… Involvement with nature prevents the mind from becoming mechanical can see that it is constantly nurturing us and helping us to grow.

The ofrenda
An ‘ofrenda’ is the most important ceremony used by Andean Indians to relate with Mother Earth. The ofrenda is a symbol of reciprocity with nature and its purpose is to teach us to reproduce this attitude. Through it we speak back to nature saying we understand the message and concord.

The ofrenda which is also known in Spanish as a ‘pago’ is not
a ‘payment’ to nature as the Conquistadores saw it implying a sinister pact with nature spirits. Additionally they accused the Indians of being miserly because they preferred to pay symbolically rather than with real money!

An ofrenda is an expression of gratitude not of debt or obligation.
Neither is it selfish to want things for ourselves as some people see it even today. It is true that urban people in Peru have started to make ofrendas for reasons such as wanting their businesses to flourish but good business can equally imply good health and harmony to the community and for the natural world.

In an Andean community realities are closer to earth than they are in the city it is more important that the cattle do not die than to have more private possessions. Hence in the country there is a better understanding of the shamanic meaning of the ceremony the reestablishing of relationship to nature. This is why we need a little preparation so that an ofrenda can work for us too.

Pachacuti

We live in a time of the fulfilment of an ancient Inca prophecy. This is the time of the new Pachacuti a great change bringing with it a new relating to the Earth Pachamama. Each Pachacuti is a era of time about 500 years. The last Pachacuti occurred with the Conquest in the early 16th century and the Qero Inca priests have been waiting ever since for the next era when order would start to emerge from chaos. The current Pachacuti refers to the end of time as we understand it the end or death of a way of thinking and a way of being. A new relationship with the living Earth and an emergence into a golden age of peace. There are many indications that changes in human consciousness are taking place yet there is still a long way to go. It is part of Doriss vision to show us traditional ways that we can reengage with the sacredness of life and the Earth so we too can more fully participate in the new Pachacuti.

About the writer:  Howard G. Charing is an accomplished international workshop leader on shamanism. He has worked some of the most respected and extraordinary shamans healers in the Andes the Amazon Rainforest and the Philippines. He organises specialist retreats to the Amazon Rainforest He is the author of the best selling book Plant Spirit Shamanism Destiny Books USA and has published numerous articles about plant medicines. Website http://www.shamanism.co.uk

Visit Albuquerque New Mexico For A True Taste Of Americas Southwest

As one of the oldest cities in the United States Albuquerque boasts a unique multicultural heritage and history where Native American Latino Hispanic Anglo and other cultural influences are ingrained in everyday living. Set against a backdrop of the ancient Sandia Mountains a visit to Albuquerque allows visitors to experience a true taste of the authentic Southwest while basking in the region’s spectacular weather.

With 310 days of sunshine Albuquerque makes an ideal destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities. Whether your penchant is for golf biking pony trekking or skiing Albuquerque with its endless blue skies provides the perfect environment to indulge in your hobby. As such it comes as no surprise to learn that Albuquerque was named by Men’s Fitness magazine as one of the top ten fittest cities in the U.S.

Albuquerque’s golf courses are perhaps one of the sport’s bestkept secrets with several of the region’s courses having been ranked among the best in the country by golfing publications. With courses ranging from desert links to parkland and mountain courses Albuquerque offers one of the most diverse golf experiences available. What’s more green fees in Albuquerque are considerably less expensive than at comparable courses elsewhere in the country so you’ll be able to play more often especially as Albuquerque also boasts a moderate winter climate with 14 golf courses available to play allyear round.

For cycling enthusiasts Albuquerque has earned numerous rankings as a great cycling city. In fact the city was named the thirdbest place to bike in the U.S in 2006 by Bicycling Magazine; and with trails ranging from flat winding routes through the city to intense rugged mountain trails nearby cyclists need look no farther for thrills. The Sandia foothills to the northeast of the city offers miles of gravel and singletrack trails leading to National Forest and Wilderness land which overlooks the city and provides stunning views for onlookers.

Alternatively if you prefer something a little more sedate Albuquerque is home to the world’s largest hot air balloon festival the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta which takes place every October. Albuquerque is the balloon capital of the world and during the festival you’ll see more than 700 balloons in the sky at a time. The festival draws a huge international crowd of balloonists and spectators each year and is considered to be one of the most photographed events in the world. If hotair ballooning is something you’d like to try for yourself Albuquerque has many local hotair balloon companies which provide rides for visitors on a daily basis while the AndersonAbruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum features one of the world’s finest collections of hotair ballooning equipment and memorabilia and is a worldrenowned authority in the art culture science and history of hotair ballooning.

Not to be outdone Albuquerque also boasts an extensive array of shopping options to explore. From Native American jewellery and produce to authentic Southwestern pottery weaving art and more besides you’re sure to find a delightful treasure that will bring back cherished memories of your visit to Albuquerque for years to come.

And if that isn’t enough Albuquerque is also home to one of America’s most unique and cherished regional cuisines so it’s no surprise to know that food is one of the things that people remember most about a trip to New Mexico. The regional cuisine is based on native ingredients such as corn beans and chillies and incorporates Mexican Native American and Spanish flavours. Away from the local cuisine Albuquerque has a hugely diverse choice of culinary options: sushi bars pizzerias Mexican taquerias are all available along with traditional restaurants offering a wide range of dishes.

Whether you stay in an authentic Southwestern bed and breakfast a luxurious guest resort or a downtown hotel in Albuquerque you’re sure to find Albuquerque is a city with something for everyone and a place where you can immerse yourself in a sublime mix of culture and heritage that is entrenched in centuries of history.

About the writer:  Elisha Burberry is a freelance writer who loves her job and the occasional glass of red wine.

Volunteer On An Organic Farm In New Zealand

The sand flies found our limbs but we are alive and well as official WWOOFers in the Motueka Valley on the south island of New Zealand. We arrived at dusk and met our gracious hosts Heather and Dave. The property is 14 hectares and has a sizable vegetable garden a variety of fruit nut and native trees all organic as well as a small farm with a few cows and ducks and a Bed amp; Breakfast operation. We have our own tiny but private accommodation in a campervan.

The first morning we awoke at 8:15am to do our daily 4 hours work in exchange for daily meals and a place to sleep. Harvesting hazelnuts off the ground was our first task. There we were on our hands and knees underneath the trees carefully avoiding the occasional cow patty for the first hour asking ourselves “what in the heck have we gotten ourselves into?” An hour later Heather came to get us and I was put to work weeding and pruning. Thankfully I had rubber gloves up to my elbows as blackberry and gorse are very sharp weeds! Meanwhile Andy was digging a trench for the pond to drain out. It was hot and we were sweating but it felt good and satisfying somehow to do manual labor. A river runs right on the other side of the road so we jumped in for a nice cold swim when we were done. Needless to say I worked up quite an appetite and mowed a gigantic lunch afterward and spent the afternoon finishing my book.

That evening their daughter Brooke and her fiance Ant came into town. Ant is a forest ecologist and is studying the area around Hawke’s Bay and I have enjoyed hearing about the Department of Conservation forest ecology Maori history and the effects on the environment in New Zealand. Everything they do is selfsufficient Earth and energy conscious and ecologically friendly. New Zealanders are generally down to earth natural looking and unpretentious how refreshing!

The next morning we had our hands right in the dried cow dung and hazelnuts without a care laughing how the day before we were so meticulous trying not to touch it. The kids from next door created a makeshift water slide next to us on the sheets of garbage bag material laid out to kill some weeds in this one area. I shoveled dirt to help mend the pond the rest of the morning and my arms still hurt. It’s been humbling so far to say the least. That afternoon we went for another swim in the river with their neighbors who also have a WWOOFer from Germany and enjoyed chatting and skipping rocks. We borrowed mountain bikes and took a nice hourlong ride along the river on the highway here in the river valley with beautiful mountains on either side with spectacular views. Visually it reminds me very much of Southern Oregon around the Ashland/Medford region as I suppose it’s approximately the same latitude. Afterward we had about 15 people over for a homemade pizza party. Dave and Heather have a real stone pizza oven that Dave began heating up around lunchtime and makeyourown pizzas were done within about 23 minutes. We had a blast with their friends and neighbors drinking home brewed beer and sharing stories.

Everything is so fresh and delicious here. Today I was not looking forward to another morning of digging in the dirt so over breakfast I aptly phrased the question “Heather might I have the opportunity to work in the kitchen today and learn a few things from you?” She makes jams jellies sauces homemade pasta homemade bread soups you name it. And everything is fresh right from the garden. She obliged and I went to work and made a vegetable lasagne with homemade pasta and everything from the garden. We spent the afternoon at a couple of wineries nearby and brought home a reserve chardonnay from Sunset Cliffs an organic winery. The lady serving us at the winery is from the Czech Republic who came to visit NZ and never left. I can see why.

The best part of the experience for me in the WWOOFing world so far is the cultural aspect. Heather Dave Brooke and Ant have invited us in and treated us just like members of the family. These folks have had WWOOFers for 15 years! It really is a symbiotic lifestyle here with physical labor here on the property from us while they take care of our room and board.

About the writer:  Stacy has been traveling all over the globe with her husband Andrew since February 2008. You can visit their blog at http://berglon.blogspot.com