My South American Pilgrimage

Hello everyone, it’s good to be back after a blissful couple of months travelling around Peru and Ecuador. first up let’s rewind a little, in September I made the big leap and left my stressful corporate job to follow my bliss and focus on my own business; coaching you lovely people. I would like to share with you some of the highlights of my trip and some of the things I have learnt along the way.

Being in South America has really helped me grow as a person, I met some truly incredible people who were all drawn to me to help me learn on my way forward into my new life, or so it seems that way.

Peru is truly the most amazing country I have evert visited. It has the most beautiful of landscapes, from the iconic Incan ruins, such as Pisaq and Machu Picchu, unique and beautiful mountains such as rainbow mountain and Humantay lake and the vast, unexplored, wild beauty of the Amazon Rainforest. Peru really does hold a special place in my heart.

My trip began in Cusco where I travelled the iconic Sacred Valley which features some amazing Incan towns such as Pisaq, with its beautiful ruins, vibrant markets and hippy vibe. It was a really stunning place and being there was exactly what I initially needed to settle into my trip. From there I travelled onwards towards Aqua Calientes, passing through Ollantaytambo which would eventually lead to Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu itself was indescribably beautiful, every picture I have ever seen of this iconic sculpture did not do the reality any justice. My journey began in the early hours of the morning, when our group set off before dawn hoping to catch a glimpse of the sunrise coming up over the mountains. Our day was perfect, the skies were clear and our skin was kissed by the beautiful warm sunshine. I never realised the MP area has its own mini eco system. High rainfall and high altitude created this unique eco climate which attracted an abundance of wildlife. It was lovely to watch the tiny birds swooping through the air and listen to their their sweet song as I sat in silence studying the wonder of the place. It was easy to see why this area was considered one of the wonders of the world. It was truly something I will remember, always.

After Machu Picchu I travelled to one of my favourite cities in the world, Cusco. Which for me has the perfect fusion of fresh mountain air, history and an amazing laid back vibe. I stayed for three nights and spent time trekking the mountains and visiting the gorgeous glacier lake of Humantay. I’d also planned to spend some time at an amazing hostel named Case De La Gringa, which offered plant medicine ceremonies to guests up at their mountain house. We spent the day there for one of their San Pedro ceremonies. (Although this blog will not be about my experience with San Pedro, as I have written that in a separate blog). The space was almost fairytale like with hand painted murals and shamanic artefacts covering the walls. The grounds had water features, hammocks and crystals, which immediately felt like a safe space to be. Our ceremony was to be led by the owner and an indigenous quero shaman who had spent most of his life living in the high altitude mountains. I was so excited to be taking the San Pedro medicine, as I had a life changing experience last time I drank it. Next to the house was a bunch of pre Incan temples which we were lucky enough to visit during our afternoon walk, even visiting the inside of la temple de luna which was indescribably magical, I have never experienced such intense energy from anything before. The atmosphere was so thick it almost felt impossible to breathe. I can only liken the experience to being inside the pyramids of Giza. The whole day was a truly magical experience, one which will stay with me for the rest of my life. Being connected to the energy of the Incans had left me really feeling in awe of their powerful connection with the earth and the universe, and wondering how we had lost that connection in our age.

My next stop was to the Amazon Jungle and a sleepy jungle town named Lamas. This part of the jungle is where the Amazon Rainforest starts to meet the Andes, so you get the beauty of jungle paradise and the gentle rolling hills. It is one of the main cacao growing regions of Peru and as a chocolate lover, let’s say I was pleased to be here! My reason for being here was to fulfil a lifelong dream of immersing myself into the Amazon Rainforest to work with master plants. I was to stay at my friend Lara and Ashley’s centre, The garden of Peace. At this centre they work with indigenous jungle plants (known locally as medicine) to help their guests heal a number of issues such as depression and anxiety, drug and alcohol addictions. Although many people seek out healing through ayahuasca to heal a number of issues and limiting beliefs that they have built around them in adult life, the medicine is a wonderful way of facilitating healing on a mental, spiritual and physical level, aiding us in seeing both the truth behind our behaviours and finding peace with our true self. At the Garden of Peace, ayahuasca is used along side other master plants which is to be worked with in complete silence and isolation. I was to stay at the Garden of Peace for 24 days in total and the thought of not being able to communicate and connect with others for so long terrified me, but I was ready.

I can’t tell you how wonderful it is being in the amazon surrounded by untouched nature. The feeling intensifies when all external stimulants such as TV, internet, phones and people are removed, allowing you to live in harmony with the land, eating simple locally grown food, bathing and washing clothes, in the amazon river, rising and sleeping with the suns patterns. It’s a complete reset and it really helped me to understand a lot about myself, from my behaviours to my addictions and where I need to be in life. The whole diet itself was the most challenging but most rewarding thing I have ever done and I can’t wait to go into more detail in my next blog.

One major realisation I made in the jungle was how I have this habit of holding myself back through self created fear. This was something I needed to conquer in order to thrive in my life. I was facing this real dilemma about going back to England after my retreat as I had always dreamed of having the luxury of staying on holiday for as long as I wanted to without having to rush back to a job. I was now in position to do so but I was scared of travelling alone. My friends were due to leave after two weeks at the Garden of Peace and this terrified me. I was scared of how I would cope when they left and I stayed out in the jungle alone. This was multiplied by my fear of travelling with a limited understanding of the Spanish language and my desire to travel onwards to Ecuador to visit a good friend. Being in the amazon working with these plants helped me see that I am protected and nothing bad is ever going to happen. If it did, then I would know what to do should the situation arise.

I decided to visit Ecuador as I would regret not going in later life. So I booked my flight and headed for Ibarra to stay with my lovely friend Mel, who I’d met in the Amazon the year before. My time in Ecuador was exactly what I needed, I got plenty of rest time alone, but I also built up enough courage to travel to some beautiful places like Laguna de Cotacachi which is a collapsed volcanic lake with a 14km hike around the top and Mindo, a beautiful cloud forest which was a haven for wildlife. Making the decision to travel there alone was one of the best things I have ever done, although I have never been so terrified during the four hour bus ride which would take me there.

When I got there I was so afraid I instantly wanted to come home, I managed to find my hostel and straight away I forced myself to go out and see what was available to do in this place they call paradise. My idea was to fill up my days so much with activities that I had no time for fear. I visited the butterfly farms, hummingbird gardens, orchid gardens, I went night walking and saw one of Ecuador’s most endangered frogs and held a non poisonous snake. I went dawn bird watching and had the absolute honour of seeing a wild toucan in its natural environment, I trekked waterfalls and I took an amazing cable car ride over the jungle canopy. Where unfortunately I lost my purse, but thankfully it was returned to me in one piece without a thing missing.

Taking this trip taught me many new things, from courage, determination and freedom, to the thrill of not having plans, how deeply nature can heal you but most of all it taught me about the kindness of people. I have never felt so supported and looked after by total strangers. From the people I met at hostels, to those I shared laughter with on day trips, to the stranger that returned my purse and the other who helped me find my correct bus. I have made a whole new network of amazing people who I am happy to call my friends.

I am excited to be home, ready to work on my business and share so many more wonderful stories from my travels, from my experiences with San Pedro, ayahuasca and being in dieta. I also begin my shamanic training soon and I’m excited to see where this will take me. I have plans to return to the Amazon in the summer for an extended stay so I can learn in more detail about plant medicines. Life right now is good, I am healthy, I am free from working in a job that doesn’t suit me and the pressures of my corporate job, free to work at my own business doing something I love. I am ready for 2018 and I wish you all a wonderful, healthy and successful year year ahead.

Check out my next blog coming where I share my views on “could your pain be serving you”

Until next time

Alison xx

For authentic Plant Medicine Dieta and Ayahuasca retreats visit www.thegardenofpeace.com

For authentic San Pedro ceremonies and awesome accommodation visit www.casadelagringa.com

For awesome tours around Peru visit www.flashpackerconnect.com