Epic adventure of Chachapoyas

Wow! I am back from one of the most incredible experiences EVER! Phoenix and I left on a treacherous journey about 8 hours away from Tarapoto to visit Chachapoyas in the Amazonas region in the north of Peru. I got back yesterday and things are so different here at the Yacumama Ecovillage already.


Thursday, Phoenix and I left our quaint little ecovillage at around noon. We made it to the "collectivo" pick up area in Tarapoto within a few minutes. This is a pretty efficient system where basically a sort of Taxi Car/Taxi Driver gets paid anywhere from 5-10-20 soles per person to drive a car full of people to the next destination. We had to take the first "collectivo" to Moyobamba, which was about a 2 hour drive in a normal car meant for 4 people comfortably. There were 4 of us in the back seat, with Phoenix cramped in one corner, having to lean his shoulder out the window to get enough room to breathe! To the left of me was a sweet Peruvian mother with her 5 year old daughter, who commented on my nose piercing, and said that when she was older she wants an eyebrow piercing and tongue piercing. HAHA!!! I have never heard a little kid say that before:)

We finally made it to Moyobamba and figured out we could take another "collectivo" to Nueva Cajamarca and from there we could catch a "Combi" to finish the trip for the day to Pedro Ruiz. Now the most terrifying drive of our lives started in the "Combi" while it was lightly raining on our way to Pedro Ruiz. Both Phoenix and I were freezing our asses off the whole 6 hours while cramped in an uncomfortable seat. The front windows were rolled down, probably, so the driver could stay awake better. We were both on high alert the whole time, because the driver had no idea that the double yellow lines meant that he was supposed to stay in his lane. Now this road up the mountain is as curvy as they come, sometimes with only enough room for one car to pass at a time around a large bend. Our driver would basically drive as often in the left lane, as he would drive in the right lane, and had no idea what a smooth brake application felt like. We would be jolted forward time and time again as the driver would literally pump the breaks to the beat of the cheesy Peruvian music. Phoenix had it worse off then I did. He was probably clenching his butt checks the whole way there :) I prayed to my guardian angels that we would make it safely, and then I just more or less had to trust that the driver knew what he was doing.

When we finally, thankfully made it to the small town of Pedro Ruiz, we decided to just spend the night there in an actually very decent and clean hotel room for 40 soles!




The one thing about this place that I will remember dearly, is the OH so lovely water. IT WAS YELLOW!! NOT even joking. When you flushed the toilet it still looked like there was old pee just sitting there. The actual tap water of the whole area was a mean yellow. Phoenix got very sick that night after our funny escapade of going out to eat, where he ordered an olive sandwich. Yep, you guessed it! This meant: salty olives with nothing else but hard and tasteless bread. ????!!!! Getting back to the hotel he was not doing well at all, after dosing him up with spagyrics, I was able to do some bodywork/energywork. Very cool and powerful releases were happening, and he felt loads better after I started working on him. The next day he felt great and we could continue with our adventure.



 From Pedro Ruiz we took another "combi/bus" to Chachapoyas. Where we arrived in the morning. We got dropped off in some random spot, and just walked until we found the first cheap hostel. We found it alright, the first room we had (but ended up changing rooms later because it was too bad), was welcoming us in with the warm scent of mold! (And a symphony of creaking floor boards!)

Friday was spent walking around downtown Chachapoyas looking in cute tourist shops and taking tons of pictures. After lunch, Phoenix and I went inside this little artisan area where little boys were selling hand carved stones of the ruins around that area. They were incredibly beautiful and incredibly cheap! We also made friends with some Peruvians selling mushrooms, and they fixed up a mean mushroom cerviche! One of the older ladies offered to teach us the names and properties of local medicinal plants in the area, after finding out how interested we were in learning. We got her email and tentatively planned on seeing her on Sunday. It turned out later that she never responded to the email, and so something else was able to unfold instead.



Walking down a random street, I happened to spot a language school with wide open doors. Next thing you know we were both in the back office with Kerry and he is a bad ass! He probably spent about 2 hours explaining  the history of the school, and being very honest with where it is at, as well as the process that's occurring as he is transitioning into becoming the owner. He also gave us a lot of tips about Chachapoyas. Basically this city is completely amazing. The people there, make it completely unique. It is extremely rare to have anyone jip you for being a "gringo" (foreigner). When it rains, the cars deliberately pull off  to the opposite side of the road from the pedestrians, and go slow, as not to splash the people walking. No one gets mad publicly, everyone is very friendly and helpful, and as genuine as one can get. Basically Kerry was confirming our suspicion that it is very easy to fall in love with Chachapoyas.

By the end of the meeting Phoenix was already convinced he wanted to dedicate 3 months to teaching English and having to an opportunity to do rare research on high mountain medicinal herbs. We will see how life continues to unfold, but I wouldn't mind teaching English there for 3 months while getting my hands dirty teaching dance and creative movement there as well.

Kerry had also suggested that we go to a famous gathering place called "La Reina" later Friday night to grab some drinks and meet some good folk. We did just that, and ended up having an absolute blast. As soon as we walked into the bar some Peruvian doctors invited us for some drinks, and we had a blast conversing with surgeons, doctors, and natural medicine healers. They have a unique system from what I understood, in Chachapoyas, where in the hospital both the natural doctors and traditional doctors work together as a team! Later on that night Kerry showed up and introduced us to a lot of other English and French teachers for his school. There were great people all over the world conversing in various languages all over a table of locally made liquors. I have never had so much fun at a bar! Especially being that I hardly EVER go to bars. We made some great friends that night, one of them being a cool Peruvian dude named Martin who moved to Canada when he was young, and thus speaks English, French, and Spanish perfectly.

Four hours later it was time to get up bright and early to prepare for the tour of Kuelap that day. After switching hostels, and eating a fast breakfast, we were shuttled into a mini bus with about 15 other people. Immediately we made friends with Kate and Andrew a couple from Ireland who have been backpacking around South America for the last 5 months. They are possibly one of the cutest couples I have seen, and are extremely good people! The 2.5 hour drive up the mountain to visit the Pre-Incan ruin site of Kuelap was not anything near as frightening as the previous few bus rides. We were very impressed by the driver and by the guide as well, who spoke extremely slow and clear Spanish, perfect for us "gringos". I was completely blown away by the magistracy of this ruin site. This was THE TOP OF THE WORLD!!! Words can't describe the immense beauty of the landscape surrounding the site. Huge mountain peaks and valleys would stretch on forever and ever. The only regret I have was that we couldn't spend more time visiting Kuelap, we only had 3 hours to walk through the entire site, including walking up the mountain and back down. I could have spent all day and night there, which I do plan on doing one of these days :)


( Martin, Me, Kate, Andrew)


(part of a view of outlook surrounding Kuelap)













Coming back into Chachapoyas later that evening- most of our tour group decided to meet up again at La Reina that evening. After a nice nap, I was ready to meet adventure head on! We met up with Martin, who was also coincidentally in our tour group to Kuelap, Kate and Andrew, Fabian (French guy from tour), Kerry (showed up later), we met a new friend Daniel (from Germany), Louisa ( Danish girl from tour as well), as well as various others that trickled in as the night got later and later. Finally at around 1:30 I was able to go with a small group to check out the dance club right down the road called La Reina as well! I had fun, but was quite appalled at how dirty my toe-shoes got from all the spilled beer covering the very crowded Peruvian dance floor. About an hour later I called it a night and found my way back into the very comfortable bed of our new hostel.

Sunday turned out to be delicious. It was a day of rest and integration. We slept as much as we needed to, went out for some food, and rested some more. Later Sunday night, we went yet again to La Reina and were pretty much the only people there for the first little while. This turned out in our favor because the lovely two bartenders, Yesena and Ronni were able to make an impact on us. Within a few minutes of talking, Yesena had invited Phoenix and I to spend Monday with her and Ronni at her home pueblo exploring the natural beauty. They were inciting us with the sound of "hot springs", and to experience some net fishing, as well as to experience Yesena's mother's cooking. We were sold! The plan was to arrive at Yesena's and Ronni's house around the corner from the bar the next morning at 6:45. So that we did. After another night of little sleep we got up and hurried through the calm morning streets to find the cute couples' humble abode. Our knocking woke them up, but instead of telling us to come back later, they invited us in and offered us oranges and bananas while they busied themselves getting ready for the day.

Let me go on a little rant here about this couple. They blow me away. ABSOLUTELY. They are by far some of the most kind-hearted, generous, good, sweet people I have EVER met in my life. Yesena was telling us in the bar the night before, that her monthly income is 500 soles. This is after 7 days a week, working from 7 pm until randomly late hours in the night, with absolutely no breaks. 500 soles is about 179 dollars a month. Her and Ronni make combined 1000 soles a month, which goes towards a savings fund to save a hefty amount to go back to college and finish their respective degrees. A portion goes towards living expenses and the rest goes back to their families to support them. They have very very little. But they are pretty happy and content in where they are going in their lives. With the minimal stuff they have, they gifted Phoenix right away with a beautiful hand woven Peruvian belt and he was so deeply touched by this gesture.

When we arrived in Molinopampa, the small village of 400 people where Yesena was born and raised, we were in for the BIGGEST culture shock of our lives. We were immediately welcomed into the family. Yesena's mother cooked us breakfast from an open fire, camping style. The house was made of clay brick patched together, and the floor was bumpy dirt. There was no such thing as inside versus outside, it all kind of blended together. In the middle of the abode, there was a weird courtyard thing where all the clean clothes were hung out to dry. To the back of the home was a small garden with just lettuce and chard growing. There were various weird fruit trees that I had never seen before- and right away they picked a full bag of fruit to take back home with us. There were chicken running around freely, as well as cats and dogs. The kitchen was the most unsanitary thing I have seen in my life, and the sink for the whole house was across the courtyard next to a cage of guinea pig, they keep for eating.



 (the simple stove)





(the outside of the humble house)

The mother was very kind and generous, and also had to look after her older sister who was now both blind and deaf, as well as hunched over 90 degrees from horrible arthritis. Yesena's sister was also living in the home, she was 20 years old and basically autistic and non-sociable from all the damage her father has inflicted upon her- through abandonment. Not only that, but the mother was also watching Yesena's 6 year old daughter while Yesena lived 50 minutes away in Chachapoyas to try and make some money.


(blind and deaf sister of the mom of Yesena)

Nothing was hidden from us, all was out in the open, and nothing had the energy around it, like it should be shamed. Even though this family had virtually nothing, they had each other, and they were content and happy.



We were finally taken to go fishing. This consisted of Ronni wading in the river with a net throwing it out randomly to try and catch some fish. He did catch one fish- of which Yesena ended up holding and putting the fishes mouth up to hers for a nice fishy kiss! ????? HAHAHA- we wanted a picture but she wouldn't give it to us.

After fishing we walked up a little ways to visit the "hot springs". Now I put the hot springs in quotation marks because it was the furthest thing from hot springs that we have seen. The water was cold, but they called it hot because the water at the springs was warmer than the river water! So cute! So this area was just a little trickle of water flowing from the mountain into a little tiny pond. While we were there though Phoenix started explaining to them the actual state of America, and our very non-existent American culture. They were thoroughly interested, open, and I was able to see that they were actually pretty well educated for being from Peru.

After a sweet vegetarian lunch (normally they eat meat, but specially prepared lunch with out it in honor of our request), we spent a little more time romping around the small village. It turns out basically everyone in the village is either a cousin, aunt, or uncle of Yesena's. This is apparently pretty normal, so it is best to find a husband or wife from another village. Ronni is from a neighboring village that has a much higher elevation. From what I understood though, I believe they were childhood friends.

Basically the whole day spent with them was fantastic, sweet, and very humbling. By the time we got back to Chachapoyas we were spent though. The full weekend was catching up to us, as well was the very unhygienic food:) Back inside their apartment, we intended to leave Ronni and Yesena with a little thank you gift of 100 soles. (36 U.S. Dollars). They were so shocked, and heavily resisted the gift, because it was way too much. Eventually Phoenix had to say: "if you don't take this gift you will be insulting us", and that eventually seemed to work. We had to just leave the 100 soles on the table, and were very touched by Yesena's sweet free-flowing emotional state. She was pleading that we come back soon, and we promised we would, since we are now family! Walking back to the hostel I was sooooo moved by the whole experience, I too broke down into tears. Words will never be able to describe the depth of this experience. We were shown such love and care- without precedent. There was no reason for them to do such a sweet thing for us, other then Yesena expressing that when she first saw us we felt like brother and sister to her.
I truly want to do whatever I can to help both of them achieve their dreams. Yesena only needs 1,800 dollars- 5,000 soles to finish up her dermatology degree and start to make a better life for herself. It will take her another 2-3 years to save up that amount before she can even start to think about school again.

What a wake up call, we have such ridiculously privileged lives. Phoenix and I can make money happen as we will, and basically do whatever we want wherever we want, and that is how we want to continue to live. From now on though, whatever I can give to those in need I will. I will do so out of the pure love of my heart, and with each of these actions the world will become a better place.

Chachapoyas is truly a treasure sitting atop the mountains in the northern region of Peru, it is the capital of Amazonas- and truly sets a wonderful example for the rest of South America to follow.

Now back in Tarapoto we have started the next leg of the adventure.
We went from an empty guest house to a full one in one weeks time. Our friends Kate and Andrew from Ireland are living with us here in Shambo Tambo, and a new friend Gabriel (from Peru but speaks absolutely perfect English) moved in yesterday and his girlfriend will arrive on Friday! Our friends Fabian, Daniel, and Martin are also currently in Chachapoyas, so Tarapoto is turning out to be a great reunion for our international mountain tribe!



I started my Afro-Peruano dance classes again and I am loving getting to sweat every day, as compared to the more mild and colder temperatures of Chachapoyas.

Until next time, when the adventures continue to blossom, I will write at the inspiration of my fingertips.
Adios mis amigos!

Norianna

What is going on these last few days? Big things. Big things.

I am writing this after beautiful torrential downpours have made the ground soggy and quite slippery.
It is believed by the people here that if you go outside during rain, you will get sick. Moreover if you look or stare at a rainbow you will get very deathly sick. AND If a rainbow appears you must run inside and not look at it.

 A lot of people here believe the world is flat.  If you start to explain the truth to them, they think you are lying to them, and can not by any means handle that sort of drastic paradigm shift.

It makes me reflect yet again, on how lucky we are as Americans, (even though most of us complain about what a ridiculous country we are) to have all of the opportunities we DO have. More then any other place in the world (as far as I know), we can truly carve out our own path in the USA. I am half Italian (dad's side) half German (mom's side)- and so I have spent ample amounts of time in Europe, mostly living in Germany. I love Europe, I love my family that lives over there- but a few years back I was given several chances to move over there. I still could move to Europe if I wanted to. Yet what always stopped me was the deep knowing that I would have more freedom and "tribe" here in the USA. There are probably more "progressive", and "conscious" cities here then any other country in the world. Where else can we find so many forward thinking people deeply passionate about changing this earth to be more in alignment with the values of Harmony, Peace, and Equality for ALL? The quality of experience is so unique in America. I wouldn't be able to do half the things I dream up if I was living in Europe, where the structure is much more rigid, and the hoops to jump through much more high. All I am saying at this moment, is living for a while in a "third world country" where people are struggling to just get by day to day, really gives One a huge perspective shift. The fact that we have access to food, water, and shelter for the most part every day, and on average, most Americans expect these basic necessities to be taken care of, is so amazing. Most of the world is living in extreme poverty. Granted there is extreme poverty in America as well, yet speaking from my own experience as Norianna- I have been given an extremely blessed life. I was born into a family that had its own issues, but I was ALWAYS amply provided for. Anything I needed or really wanted, I was able to have. My dreams were nurtured, and my individuality cherished. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity I have in this lifetime to create anything I dream of, and to reach unlimited highs regarding my spiritual evolution.

Even though America is crashing hard at the moment, I am grateful that the open spirit of the Country has nurtured me into being the way I am today. I am not even so certain I want to continue living in America for much longer, and it is probably wise to get out of what is becoming more and more a dictatorship everyday... Yet I am just reflecting on the egregore that is USA. What the USA truly stands for and we have to remind ourselves that it is equally as bad some other countries, and terribly worse everywhere else.

Looking on the bright side, all the time.

So lots has been happening in Yacumama. I find out Thursday that my car was hit when my girlfriend was calmly parallel parking- strange news. She is OK, everything will be OK I believe, just some car body-work to be taken car of. Thursday was also a night of peaking emotion for me as well, a combination of a lot of things were surfacing. I was able to very very very clearly see how my thoughts inform my emotions, and how if I keep putting attention on those thoughts and emotions, they will only intensify and create the situation to grow into manifestation more. Life is TRULY a matter of perception. I can TRULY choose how I perceive it. Simple is as simple does...:) Yet it is not quite so easy- simple yes, easy- well, that is another story. Friday morning I woke up and had some residual emotion come up for me. I choose to keep moving in my yoga practice, and to meditate, and finally to write out what I am releasing onto paper. I had to literally force myself to shift my energy, and Viola! It worked! Phoenix exclaimed "Nori is back!!". I would like to thank my moon-cycle for ending, so I can be back to my normal self, yet I am ever so grateful for its deep insights and introverted energy.

Well yesterday late afternoon Phoenix and I were in the lab and got the news from Dio that Aubrey's father had just passed away.
That hit us like a ton of bricks. What an intense thing to hear on a Friday afternoon.
On any afternoon.

My heart reaches out to her- since we have arrived she has had a whole lot of stuff happen, hitting her hard from every angle possible, and now this? She is truly an inspiration at how she walks through life, taking it as it comes with as much grace as possible. We still don't know in definitive terms, but it is looking like at 7 months pregnant, her and Dio will be flying to New Jersey to be with the family in mourning. This totally alters our plans being in Peru as well. It is all happening in divine flow, as nothing can not happen that way- and this is definitely not the last time we will be coming here. If they do end up leaving, Phoenix and I will be taking a few days tour out to visit the beautiful ruins of Chachapoya, about 700 years older then Machu Picchu. I will be writing about that adventure for sure! I am just so curious how the rest of our time will play out while we are here. It seems like we are only hitting the tip of the ice burg so far.

I personally have actually gone through quite some transformation already- and yet because it all feels so very integrated, if I didn't have Phoenix as a reflection, it may just pass me by. I am eager for more shifts, insights, and releasing to happen.

I arrived here with some expectations, but trying my hardest to keep an open mind and heart. I am fulfilling my main expectation to dance, by studying Afro-Peruano with Susan and Aida- basically the only two teachers of that form out here. It is a beautiful blend between African and Peruvian/Latin dance. I look forward to learning more about it. Other then having 4 one hour classes of that set up a week, I am free to do as I choose.
Read, sleep, walk, speak Spanish, cook, yoga, meditate, go to town...
Then when it rains here, not too much else happens- people chill inside and hide from the rainbows.
I on the other hand, definitely don't hide from the rainbows instead I remark at its beauty- because in my paradigm the rainbows won't make me sick.

Future. I see you. I create you.

The crickets are chirping,

 The geckos are slithering. 

The moths keep banging up against the glass window trying to get inside a safe haven.

    AND, the cockroaches know just how to freak out a girl getting ready to make dinner.

          I am proud of myself for not screaming. 

I need to get some pictures of these guys... they are HUGE 3 times the size of normal coakroaches. 

                              Yes. AND they fly. OH my!

 I bravely conquered both of the unsuspecting cockroaches as they were lounging in the kitchen!!! Go me!!! Yet honestly I had the quivers and goosebumps for a few minutes after.  

So funny how my perspective shifts a few days before I get my period, and interesting how it shifts during my period. Once I stop bleeding I can feel myself regaining my full "Nori" power back. Such an interesting cycle to note- because a few days ago I was in a much different head-space around this trip. I was afraid I wouldn't have anything to do, and I would have these crazy hot, long days... and blah blah blah. Yet now I am finding- there is always plenty to do- and I am absolutely enjoying this time to integrate, rest, and rejuvenate. Such a blessing to have this moon-time to detox emotions and thoughts that have been brewing for the last month. 

Phoenix and I have been talking a lot about the real possibility of moving out to Peru. We are both serious, big-time dreamers, so for us dreaming and creating is half the fun! Yet there are seriously so many pros to moving to this area of Peru. We are planning on taking a trip hopefully this weekend to check out Sauce, a little town in the beautiful spot of Laguna Azul. It is a 90 minute taxi ride from Tarapoto. I happened across a white man selling his 3 acre parcel (advertising on You-Tube of all places) out there a few years back, so I wrote him an email to see if it was still available by chance. He wrote me back saying it wasn't but we were still welcome to check out the property. He also mentioned that the whole town was for sale, so we shouldn't have a hard time finding other parcels of land for sale. It should be really cheap out there- say less than or about 10-15 grand for 2-5 acres. 

My ultimate plan has always been to be able to live off the land in a beautiful tropical paradise, while having that land serve as a "healing-arts-retreat-learning-center". I know I am not the only one with this vision. Many of my friends share the same longing as well. Yet over the years I am marveling at how all the necessary pieces just come together naturally. With each piece I am able to refine and recreate my dream to be more and more functional, exact, and real. 

With this new moon on Sunday, I felt this alignment happening inside of me. Everything seems soooooo possible, and almost like it is on the verge of manifesting physically. When I dream about my future, and where I want to be in a few years I have three major components that are becoming to be more solidified. *Most importantly I desire to be eating all the food I am growing, and to be living in harmony with nature- off the "grid" with a fresh water source. This place is my heaven. 

*On this land I envision having a movement studio to offer various forms of movement and healing art workshops/classes. Blending Alchemy, Yoga, Somatics, and Dance into a grounded, and direct path to deep transformation. I see myself offering powerful workshops in the movement arts and really carving my own unique niche within the field. With this offering I intend to travel far and wide holding sacred space for people all over the world. 

*I would also love to create an online TV show that highlights various movement professionals, healers, and people in the somatic field. Phoenix can help me set up the platform very easily and I can get started on that right away. Being able to create a passive/ residual income source with this platform as well, will be a major plus. 

Whenever I dream about my future I have always had the components of sustainability, harmony, financial freedom, travel, teaching, continuous learning, and making a positive impact in many ways. 

When I think about grounding all of that in, to land in Peru- with the plan that Phoenix and I have been plotting, it just feels fucking amazing! Yet I know my journey will take me to places I never imagined, and will take a whole lot of dedication, time, love, and endurance. I am looking forward, yet I am enjoying this time to deeply remind myself of the here and now. That everything I am seeking for is truly already inside of me. I am almost 24 and yet age shouldn't matter, I am recognizing that everything has it's time and place. I can't rush the river. I can float down it on an inter-tube and enjoy the scenery on the way. Because, I think there is something about my life and where it is headed that is inevitable. Everything happens in perfect timing indeed. I trust in my destiny and I am also totally willing to do what it takes to make it happen. 

Empowered, Bleeding, Thoughtful,

Noryana 

Fish. They slap you. With water.

I am writing this after just having drunk a passion fruit, apple-banana, maca, noni, flax, chia seed, raw honey smoothie! Oh the joy!

It is really interesting with the local culture here. Aubrey was telling us today that the peruvian family that lives and works for her and Dionisio have a terrible, bland diet. Which comes as a total surprise for me, because there is a plethora of fresh super fruits and enough veggies to easily eat raw here, if one wanted to. As humans it is so easy to take things for granted. I wonder if living here you become so accustomed to amazing fruits, that perhaps you just don't think to eat them??? Still trying to mentally wrap my head around this idea that someone can live where there is so many great foods growing abundantly, yet they choose to eat refined sugar, starches, breads, and grains instead??? Such an interesting paradigm this is, in Tarapoto, Peru. The standard of living is pretty damn low, especially when accustomed to the American way.

Peruvians here love their pig, and meats of all shapes and size. The other day at the market with Estela (the woman who works for Aubrey), we went over by the meat and fish to pick up some fish for Aubrey. I am walking casually along, when BAM all of a sudden I am splashed by grey water. I look to my right, and low and behold, there are live fish flapping about on a tray. ??!!!! They were splashing their own fishy water onto everything. I probably looked crazy, because I just stood there and gawked. Hey, at least we know the fish is a fresh as can be! I am laughing right now as I am typing this, because it is such an absurd sight for us Americans to get used to. Also probably more crazy is the fact that there is live meat stacked up pretty high, and touching dirty surfaces. Flies and all sorts of other things that I don't want to think about, are buzzing around. The Peruvian's working the booth, sit there in the heat, waving a newspaper or a fly swatter to help keep the meat bug free.

So at any restaurant, it seems that the only vegetarian option is a small side salad, or some fruit juice. They love their meat cooked a million ways. If you aren't eating a meat dish, you can find fish. I did have some cerviche the other day, and it wasn't too bad. ( Not my first time though either). Aubrey and Dio say there are only really two legit restaurants in the town, and they happen to be right next door to one another by a main plaza.  When I go to other countries one of my favorite things to do is to try their native cuisine. I am looking forward to exploring as much as I can on the vegetarian end of the spectrum while I am here.

Phoenix and I have yet to really get our own diet and meal preparations down though. I have made some simple salads, some rice, some fried broccoli and carrots, some smoothies, and yogurt and granola. That is pretty much it. Since we don't have all of the spices that we are used to, or a good way to carry a whole lot of groceries- it has been an interesting experience. Everything we buy, we have to carry by hand. Then take a motocarro back to the property. There is also only one grocery store in all of Tarapoto. I think the coolest thing about the store is that they have powdered Maca, Lucuma, Noni, and all sorts of other local super-foods. Wednesday and Saturday are the big market days, so I look forward to getting up early tomorrow and heading out to the market place and stocking up on more necessities.

As far as my time being spent- the days feel very long here. Mostly because I have nothing ever pressing to do. I have taken some mini walks, spent time learning from Phoenix in the lab, read, read some more, meditated, eaten, taken showers, talked, talked some more, made love, made love again, looked at nature, went to town, and various other things along those lines. I am looking forward to finding more dance teachers so I can at least keep occupied some. If i spend 40 days like this I will either go crazy, or have some major life breakthroughs. I am hoping it is the later.

With much sunshine,
Norianna Banana

mosquitos

Ok so four days later i probably have 30 misquito bites spread out over my body. But you know what? I don`t give a shit!

 I have been doing a lot of thinking, reflection, and sleeping. I have been trying to read this book called body-mind-centering, and I am actualy very interested in learning more about this subject, yet every time I sit down to read I end up taking a nice nap instead. I am typing on a pretty silly keyboard on my tablet, so I have a feeling this entry won`t be too inclusive.

I just was able to organize 2 private afro-peruanu private dance classes per week starting this Tuesday and Thursday at the round keva on our property!!! For 8 private dance classes this college dance professor is only charging 120 soles. 1 dollar equal4s 2.80 soles.... so it costs roughly around 40 dollars for 8 private classes..... WHAT??? A little more then 5 dollars per class. Wow. I am blown away. 

I have been doing a lot of reflecting about the culture here and its pros and cons. I will definitely be speaking more about that later when I can actually type :)

At this rate, it is looking like I will be spending more time in the laboratory then I initially thought, which is actually probably the biggest blessing. I really want to be able to apply real alchemical principles to movement and the world of Somatics. I am also looking forward to calcining physically and spiritually, breaking down the illusions of my constructed self. I can already tell by the time Phoenix and I touch foot in Salt Lake City, we will be forever transformed by this Peruvian experience.

Hasta luego
N

Welcome to TARAPOTO, Peru

So here is a little introduction to what in the world I am doing at this current moment.
For the last two days I have been living and resting peacefully in Tarapoto, Peru at an eco-village of sorts, called "Yaccumama". The beautiful couple who own and run this place are known as Aubrey and Dionisio. Aubrey owns her own herbal product company called "Qori Inti" where she creates amazing potent products from Amazonian herbs while infusing the products with the flair of Ayurveda. Dionisio is originally from Spain, but grew up in France, and is the father of this beautiful four acre reforestation project. My partner Phoenix and I were fortunate enough to hear an almost three hour story of how he even came to be an Ayawaschero, and how he came to be living here in Tarapoto for the last 25 years. WOW. Mind-blowing, humbling, and fascinating story! Basically we both already know that Dionisio is a very, very, very pure-hearted man and is able to lead deep transformational aya journeys purely through the space that he can hold. Together Aubrey and Dio hold retreats around the world combining their expertise in Ayurveda, Yoga, and Plant Spirit Medicine!

How did we end up here? Well Phoenix was invited last September via a random email from Aubrey, because she had heard about what an amazing and self-taught teacher he is, to come down to the Amazon and teach her the art of Spyagrics. Since that email they have been corresponding, and we haven't wanted to get our hopes up too high because nothing was ever finalized until a few months ago! And lo and behold, now we are actually in the heart of Peru living out some sort of strangely organized, divinely guided fate. Phoenix has dreamed of going to Peru for a very, very long time. I have also always seen myself in the Amazon rainforest in one way or another, since I was about 13 years old. So for both of us, the honor is extremely great that we get to experience this side of the world, let alone together!

So at the moment, we haven't done all too much. We arrived in Tarapoto Sunday night, after almost 24 hours of traveling, and waiting in airports. Dio picked us up at the airport, but he arrived on his motorcycle and we took a "motocarro" (a tri- pod motorcycle that has a bench where 2-3 people can sit and be shuttle around Tarapoto for minimal cost). What a culture shock, being driven on a motorcycle thing through the streets of Tarapoto at night time where we can see the locals just hanging out in front of their houses on plastic lawn chairs. the city is nothing like I imagine India to be, as far as dirtiness goes, but still compared to the streets of USA and major cities, Tarapoto is pretty run down. Still, the people seem very content, peaceful, and enjoy loved ones' company.

Our living situation is pretty large and spacious. We are staying in the guest house meant to sleep 12-15 people and we have it all to ourselves! Everything on the property Dionisio built himself and had help with. Pretty impressive to hear as well, that when Dio bought this property there was absolutely nothing on it, it was BARE, maybe one or two trees that is it. After 25 years of hard work, love, and dedication this land is thriving with many various species of plants and about 4 living structures plus a few extra structures.

Also, as the city has been growing, Yaccumama has been encroached on. It is an interesting mix to hear construction, motorcycles, and other people all day long admist the songs of crickets and jungle lore.

Tomorrow Phoenix begins teaching Aubrey! I am curious where my time will be spent. I have various connections to study tradition in the town. I am also very interested in various natural healing methods used in this part of Peru. My heart is open, and my mind is receptive. So far so good.

Blessings be
Norianna

Abundance mindset shifting with sickness

I am infinitely abundant. I choose to live life in the highest vibration possible.

I am smack dab in the middle of releasing a whole bunch of SHANNIGANS. It is interesting how being physically ill tends to clear a lot in my life. On Thursday 2 nights ago, I underwent a powerful medicine journey and probably went deeper into the matrix of reality then I have ever gone before. This is literally what I wrote on a piece of paper to set the intention for my trip right before. " I resolve to allow the plant spirit medicine to dissolve anything holding me back in any way from creating and maintaining high abundance. I let the energies of tonight show me new aspects/ deeper aspects of myself I need to work on and change. Letting go of any lack, fear, uncertainty mentality." Low and behold I go to sleep and wake up the next day pretty sick with heavy body aches and a fever. Today I feel about the same- just resting and now pondering as I write this, how can this sickness be related to my journey? In any case it is teaching me to totally let go and surrender- because that is ALL I can do. This weekend would have been a super abundant weekend with a sweet massage gig at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. But you know what? Other people get to have that abundance. Debilitating Sickness seems to always come at a trying time for me. The chance that I do have to make some solid money just slips away- not so easy when you have 200 dollars to your name. Why is it that I can have thousands of dollars in my bank account one week and a few weeks later it is all gone? Of course money comes and goes- that is what it is meant for. But I am honestly over and done with this pattern. I am ready and capable of keeping many many dollars in my bank account- enough so that I have a vacation fund, an emergency fund, a savings fund, and something that goes towards investments. So part of this healing journey feels like a deep purging of belief systems and clearing space in my physical and mental body for the new "programs" I get to be running. These new programs are nothing but the highest vibration possible. I am infinitely abundant in every way: in love, in friendship, in money, in food sources, in my home space, in my choices, in my freedom, in my career...etc. I am truly excited to start this new process. Starting now. I am excited to play with the matrix we call reality. As I experienced myself as the divine creator feminine Goddess on Thursday night, I am excited to play with manifestation and creative action. Anything is possible; that I experience and know first hand from medicine journeys to life experience. I am the creator and the destroyer of myself.

I am excited and ready to start living in a high abundance mindset and lifestyle, to live with class and style, freedom and creativity. And who ever said anything had to be hard? I am open to this abundance coming from anywhere, even the lottery!!!

So these are just musings I felt like sharing. It is good to go global with my thoughts sometimes. Any comments or opinions are always appreciated.