JANUARY:: BLISS

 

 

 

 

I write this from our adobe house in the chilly mountains of NM, although in my mind, I'm still soaking up the 90 degree sunshine on the beach in Los Organos, Peru. We just got back after three weeks in Peru and my mind and body are still struggling to adjust to the cold temperatures and the accelerated rhythm of my life here.

Our trip to Peru was much shorter this year than usual-- three quick weeks of reconnecting with friends and family, stuffing ourselves with fresh sea food, soaking up the bright sun and turquoise sea, and releasing months worth of stress.

Fall was a rough season for me this year. My body was of put through hell during early pregnancy and my spirit sank to a dark, jagged place. The holidays and the second trimester brought some relief and joy, but I still felt a tight ball of fear and stress wound tightly in my stomach. It wasn't until I stepped onto the sandy beach our first night in Peru that I began to feel myself relax and release.

Over the three weeks of our trip, I  let go of all of the stress and worry that had dug so tightly into my being.  My to-do list disappeared. I didn't feel rushed or overwhelmed--two sensations that had become constant companions back in the states. I lay on the beach and watched my growing boy splash in the waves with his cousin. I sat on the porch swing late into the evenings and chatted with friends and family about daily life and deep matters of the heart. We watched sea turtles swimming in the tide and collected treasures on our daily walks along the beach. True bliss.

The more relaxed I became, the deeper into myself I was able to go. My creativity had been in hiding for months-- buried by the sickness and overwhelming fatigue of the first trimester and the craziness of the holidays. But slowly, images began to swim in my head again and I watched as they revealed themselves to me on paper. As I sketched and meditated and soaked up the sun, a feeling of joy and optimism began to flow through me. Grounded in the present, I was finally able to tap into my deeper self again and to set intentions for the coming year.

Back in New Mexico, I'm finding myself struggling to maintain the peace and bliss I found on our trip. My to-do list is already much longer than I care to think about and my spirit is mourning the sense of connectedness I felt in Peru. I miss the meals shared with friends around an outdoor table, the evenings spent watching my little one playing with neighborhood kids, and the sense of comfort I got from living in a house packed with family. I'm homesick for our other home.

I take deep breaths and hold in my mind images of crashing waves, palm trees, and sunshine, and focus on bringing to life the intentions I've set for this coming year. We'll be back in Peru in 10 short months-- with a new baby and plans for building our dream home. Until then, I'll be sinking myself into work here-- into growing our business and creating the life of my dreams.  Here's to bliss and peace-- found in each precious moment.

~in love and light~

DREAM HOUSE IN PERU

I've been thinking about "home" lately-- recognizing a growing need inside myself to build a forever home for our little family. Our land in Peru lays waiting for us-- it's a dream that is constantly in the back of my mind, a dream that feels temptingly close, yet impossibly far away. For now, I'm focusing on paring down designs and ideas, so that we'll be ready to build when the time comes. Here are some of my recent inspirations:

Our house will probably be a combination of stone and dried cane (similar to bamboo)-- both local, renewable resources. 

We've been getting a lot of inspiration from the Earthships here in New Mexico. They're made of recycled materials and incorporate all kinds of cool elements like gray water systems, passive solar heating, and indoor greenhouses. We won't have access in Peru to the materials usually used, but I'd like to follow the same concept of building with a light eco-footprint.

Firepit and outdoor shower-- absolutely essential!!

This will be the view on one side of us....

And this is what we'll see on the other. Not bad, right? (You can see our water tank in the far right corner.)

It's hard for me to muster patience sometimes-- it may be another 5 years before we're able to make the move back to Peru and make this dream come true. Which gives me looooots of time to keep browsing ideas and blueprints to create our perfect little home. :)

Join us on Pinterest to see more pictures of awesome eco-home ideas.

Peru, Part 2- Cusco

Cusco, the historical capital of the Inca Empire, is one of the most visited cities in Peru and the gateway to Machu Picchu. The city is maze of winding cobblestone streets and ancient rock walls, pieced perfectly together without the use of mortar—strong enough to withstand more than 500 years of history.

Cusco is known as the bellybutton of the universe by the native Quechua . It was once the center of the Inca Empire and considered the connection to the womb of the Pachamama—the mother earth.

A three hour train ride from Cusco brings you to the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Standing almost 8,000 ft above sea level, surrounded by lush mountain forest, Machu Picchu appears like a scene from a dream. Clouds settle on the surrounding peaks, light streams through windows in majestic rock walls, and llamas graze on vibrant green grass. Once a bustling civilization, Machu Picchu now lays in rest, guarding secrets from ancient times.

Here, one feels a connection to the natural forces of the universe. Each wall and building of Machu Picchu was carefully constructed in relation to the cycles of the sun, moon, and stars. Rocks were painstakingly cut to fit tightly together—some so perfectly that it’s impossible to slip even a blade of grass between the two stones. There is magic and mystery in this space and it pulls you in with impressive force.
                    

A trip to Peru is a journey into ancient worlds, lost civilizations, and vibrant culture. Thank you for coming on this journey with me…I hope that one day each of you will meet this country with your own eyes. 

(And a big thank you to Lisa Landolino, for many of these pictures.)

Journey to Peru, Part 1

This post originally appeared over at the Bohemian Collective, but I thought I'd share it here as well. It's cold and gloomy outside to today, and my wanderlust has me thinking of (warm!) far away places.

I’d like to take you on a journey with me, to a place that is dear to my heart…..

Peru is a country of warmth and color. The food is spicy, the people friendly, the scenery breathtaking.

A cross-country trip will take you from glaciers high in the Andes to astounding expanses of desert, from the colorful Amazon jungle to sandy beaches dotted with palm trees. Here in Peru, ancient history and indigenous culture rub shoulders with modern cities and the metropolis of Lima.

There are fifty one different indigenous peoples in Peru and the country’s history dates back thousands of years. Incan and pre-Incan ruins can still be found just outside many of the major cities and the land seems to vibrate with ancient energy.

Deep in the jungle and high in the Andes, the indigenous communities continue to live close to the land, in harmony with nature. Art, ceremony, medicine, and healing practices all are rooted in a deep respect for the Pachamama…our mother earth. Shamans and healers from many of Peru’s indigenous communities use plant medicines (such as Ayahuasca and San Pedro), vision work, and other ancient practices to heal heart, body, and spirit.

Despite its rich culture and history, Peru struggles with poverty, pollution, and deforestation. The indigenous people constantly fight against the mining, gas, and forestry companies to keep their land, resources, and way of life.

My own history with Peru began when I traveled to Latin America at the age of 18.  7,000 feet in the Andes, I found myself falling in love—with a culture, a country, and a man who would later become my husband. I’m grateful to consider Peru my second home and to have the opportunity to spend time there each year. The country and its people have opened my heart and taught me some of the deepest life lessons……

Settling In

We are back in our desert home, after six glorious weeks on the other side of the equator. We spent our time in Peru soaking up sun, reconnecting with loved ones, and recharging our batteries.

There was color and warmth and beauty all around. 

We broke ground on our land...the site of our future home. 

And unwound to breathtaking sunsets that, one day, we will see from our very own bedroom windows.

We played in the surf....

and dug our feet deep into the earth...

and filled our bellies with the sweet tastes of fresh papaya, mango, and coconut.

And best of all, we reconnected with friends and loved ones.

Now we find ourselves readjusting to the cold days of early spring and the hastened pace of life here in the States.  I took a much needed break from the cyber-world while in Peru and it allowed me to reconnect with  spirit and vision I have for Spirit Y Sol. I find myself bursting with ideas and energy...jewelry pieces I want to create, photos I want to take, posts I want to write.

It's a bit late, but I'm leaping into the new year with so much excitement for the adventures and opportunities that await....