In the village of Vilcabamba, Ecuador an impulse t
The Cactus gave us the most precious gift. It allowed us to experience the heart of Nature and hear clearly the workings of her miraculous world. Today I can assert without a single thread of doubt that our stroll to the river coincided with the crest of the plant’s magical qualities. On a theoretical platform, it is probable that the Cactus’s powers tend to unfold in special and sacred places, tranquil and pure spots, similar to that in which we reposed.
Evening of Silence
The day seemed so long under the spell and blessing of the plant. When eventually we grew fatigued sitting by the river, we were glad to return to our hammocks. Basking in the total silence and marveling at the hummingbirds collecting the nectar from the flowers, Lara and I also sharpened up an appetite for a “little something” to eat. While the potion had successfully dissolved our craving for food earlier in the day, we now got terribly hungry.
Our trip to the nearby restaurant happened to coincide with the first storm in 15 days in the Valley of Vilcabamba. We did not eat anything (the restaurant was “temporarily” closed) but instead returned to our adobe hut in the middle of a torrential storm. Crossing the bridge I paused for a moment inspired by the view of the raging creek. I spread my arms in the air as if trying to embrace the sky. The raindrops rolled down my cheeks, arms and back. A final purification?
The power and magic of the cactus slowly abated by the evening hours. Lara and I hung our hammocks on the front porch, watching the evening descend upon the hills and valley. The serene smile never abandoned our faces as we discussed our experiences. When the night replaced the twilight, Lara and I switched off our senses to the music of Bob Dylan and Lou Reed. We fell asleep bearing a secret in our hearts, a mystery of the medium that took us to the pulse of the Earth.
The following day I was off to Peru. Lara accompanied me to Pasto where, as I expected, we parted for good. I had a long day ahead of me, trying to reach Piura, Peru, on the other side of the border!