Day 4b: Ollyantaytambo and Shaman

Since this was our day before the hike we went to the town of Ollyantaytambo where we would spend the night. We did a little mini hike where we climbed the ruins in the hillside of the city and got a take of what was coming soon. Then in the evening we visited a local shaman who gave an offering to Pacha Mama (mother earth) on our behalf for a safe hike and prosperity. He blessed and carefully placed many different items to both mother earth and the Gods of the sky. Then he has anyone who wanted to partake to offer their own blessings upon some coca leaves and leave them on the offering. Finally he wrapped them up and we took them down to the river to burn them, and all danced around the fire.

He had to walk for four days and then take a long bus ride to get to the village where we met him for this ceremony so it was a very special occasion. I even felt the influence of the spirit as I saw our guides give their offerings and say their prayers to mother earth. Their faith and belief in the ceremony was evident, and I felt the goodness of their intent.

Day 4a: Planeterra Projects for Good

This was a long day where we visited lots of different places. We visited several Planeterra projects for Good where a G-Adventures non profit has helped local villages learn and skill, and then they brings their tourists there so they can show their skill and sell their products. The first was a women's weaving coop where we saw how they clean, die, spin, and then weave the llama and alpaca wool into various products. We bought an amazing blanket made by Elena and a hat by Bertha. Then we visited a village that specializes in clay who showed us how they make mud bricks for their houses and clay items to sell. I even tried some traditional cuy or guinea pig at lunch that day. It was really humbling to see how these people lived and special to learn about their crafts and be able to support them and their families.