Photo Archive

High country pilgrimage in September

I was recently invited by don Isidro, a Q'ero shaman, to join him for traditional ceremonies and coca leaf readings up at Colluyriti on Ausangate sacred mountain for September 13-15.  There are two such gatherings every year, one in May which is bigger and tends to have more tourists and the other in September that is smaller and more intimate.

I would like to invite a few friends to join me for this pilgrimage with tentative dates as follows:

Sept 10  Arrive in Lima.  Visit the archeological museum in Pueblo Libre and the water fountain park.

Sept 11 Fly to Cusco, sleep at Yanapanakusun hotel.

Sept 12  Tour of the city of Cusco and Sacsaywaman.  Meet up with don Isidro.

Sept 13  Travel to Ausangate mountain and the path to Colluyriti.

Sept 14  Day of ceremonies at the Apu (sacred mountain).

Sept 15  Journey back to Cusco.

Sept 16 and 17  We visit Machu Picchu.

Sept 17  Sleep in Calca.

Sept 18 Medicine ceremony in the Sacred Valley.  Sleep in Calca

Sept 19 Visit Chincheros, sleep in Cusco.

Sept 20  Fly to Lima.  We say our good-byes.

Details and costs are a work in progress.  First I need to form a small group of friends who have an interest in this venture.  Please contact me at  martinstevens@juno.com

Children with different abilities

This year the parents of children with 'habilidades diferentes' asked us to continue working with their children every school day at our educational center.

Now we have 11 children every day from Monday through Thursday.  We use the curriculum of Waldorf education for children with special needs.

Zaca cannot speak or hear.  She is the oldest of our group of 11.  She has learned to do various kinds of craft work.

Sindy is paralysed on her right side.  In the course of a year with us she has progressed amazingly in her coordination and self-confidence.

John Kennedy (really!) said half his body was dead.  Lourdes said that it didn't smell, so it wasn't dead.  She also said if he could lift his right hand we would teach him to ride a bike and give him one as a gift.  Here he is receiving his new bike.

                                                              Here he is riding it!  

It was a great moment when Jonday finally was able to walk, leaving behind his wooden push cart and stepping out on his own.

New front door

Our house in Sauce now finally has a front door which even includes a door bell!

Health support for senior citizens

Recently we have received a new Cuban doctor here in Sauce who has generously given his time to provide special health support to our group of senior citizens at Estrella de Sauce.

Building lot for sale in Sauce, Peru

If you are interested in moving to Peru check out this building lot in a quiet part of Sauce. We have installed electric power and water hookup is easy to arrange.  Area is around 500 square meters with orange and lime trees already established.  Lots of room for a nice garden. If you build 2 storeys you will have a lake view.  Contact me at  martinstevens@juno.com  for more details.

Who'd have thought?

I never would have imagined 20 years ago that I would wind up living in the northern jungle of the peruvian Amazon and furthermore have the role as El Patron to an association of boat captains who run tourist cruises on Laguna Sauce.  However this is indeed the case and a few days ago I marched in the annual parade celebrating Laguna Sauce helping to hold up the association's banner.
I have this role by virtue of lending my dock to the association for their use.