Newly Enlightened Soul
The following is a guest article from one of our trip participants, guest author Judy McKinney.
In the Summer of 2006, my brother came to visit me in Texas and shared with me an awesome experience he had thousands of miles away in Peru, led by a friend of his from Chicago. I saw pictures of Macchu Picchu, listened to music that had always fascinated and drawn me to it for most of my life, and heard his story of the most incredible “Spiritual Journey” in South America! He told me, over and over, how I needed to take next Summer off and go back with him. South America? Couldn’t we just go to some place tropical, get a savage tan and do some sight-seeing at some “spiritual” locations? And, how could I even think about taking time off from work, leaving behind a Summer Camp that I had run for 10 years? How could they possibly survive without me?
Well, needless to say, next thing I knew I was signed up, racing to get my passport and packing herbs to help acclimate to higher elevations, cool weather clothes and hiking boots. Honestly, I had never traveled this great a distance and I had absolutely NO IDEA how much this journey would change my life!
From the minute we landed in Lima, our wonderful journey led us through the experience of Cusco City life, beautiful ceremonies with our shaman, the sights and sounds of the AWESOME Peruvian countryside and wildlife, many tours of incredible ruins and finally a scenic train ride up to Aguas Caliente, the city below the mountaintop ruins of Macchu Picchu. Our accommodations were nothing short of the best available, the restaurants served delicious Peruvian and American food (lots of pizzas) and this whole adventure was led by our lovely hostess and guide, Vera Lopez, who made us feel completely at home in this foreign country. Everywhere we went, we were always accompanied by Vera and her special friends that were not only friendly but knowledgeable of all the places we visited.
The most memorable part of this journey was the spiritual ceremonies that were held throughout our trip, both at sunrise and sunset at times, and always left all of us uplifted and feeling an intense bond among the 30 of us who began this journey as strangers. In all my wildest dreams, I never could have imagined that I would forever carry those ten wondrous days in my heart and within my newly-enlightened soul.
Judy McKinney
Well, needless to say, next thing I knew I was signed up, racing to get my passport and packing herbs to help acclimate to higher elevations, cool weather clothes and hiking boots. Honestly, I had never traveled this great a distance and I had absolutely NO IDEA how much this journey would change my life!
From the minute we landed in Lima, our wonderful journey led us through the experience of Cusco City life, beautiful ceremonies with our shaman, the sights and sounds of the AWESOME Peruvian countryside and wildlife, many tours of incredible ruins and finally a scenic train ride up to Aguas Caliente, the city below the mountaintop ruins of Macchu Picchu. Our accommodations were nothing short of the best available, the restaurants served delicious Peruvian and American food (lots of pizzas) and this whole adventure was led by our lovely hostess and guide, Vera Lopez, who made us feel completely at home in this foreign country. Everywhere we went, we were always accompanied by Vera and her special friends that were not only friendly but knowledgeable of all the places we visited.
The most memorable part of this journey was the spiritual ceremonies that were held throughout our trip, both at sunrise and sunset at times, and always left all of us uplifted and feeling an intense bond among the 30 of us who began this journey as strangers. In all my wildest dreams, I never could have imagined that I would forever carry those ten wondrous days in my heart and within my newly-enlightened soul.
Judy McKinney