worldlywoman's Xanga

Helloooooooooooo................

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:39:00 GMT

Yes it's been forever... what can I say - between emails, 5 dating web sites, and facebook - I'm having a hard time fitting in work!!

I just wanted to pop by and say that life is grand and all is well in the world of Jannette.
I hope that you are having a fabulous summer and are enjoying lots of time in the sun and nature. (cuz I'm not - so one of us should be!!)

I will post here again in the future - especially as I start to offer my "Sexy IS a State of Mind" workshops... but for now I'm head down - ars up on some work and will check in later.

Cheers - Jannette

Friday, January 04, 2008

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:47:44 GMT

Hello to all the beautiful (and persevering) people who are still checking my blog occasionally,

I want to wish all of you a wondrous New Year and thank you for the blessing you have been in my life! And--I want to challenge all of us.

It's the New Year and many of us are thinking about what changes we want to make - how to "do better" than perhaps we have in the past... or perhaps are just relishing the delight of 2008 being a blank slate - much like a new scribbler back when we were in school - where we can write the future we desire.

I was thinking about that when a powerful message from Marianne Williamson (Email me for the file - I can't get it to upload here! Argh) was serendipitously (as is so often the case!) forwarded to me by a wonderful woman friend. So I want to pass on the inspiration, the call to action, and the reminder that I found so valuable--especially to the powerful, loving, and conscious women in my life. (because the Williamson video is about our role in creating a different future)

What saddened me about this speech from 2005 was not the poignant message--although that moved me--it was the fact that when I saw her speak here in Calgary a couple of months ago, she repeated virtually the identical message. Clearly we, womankind in general, have not heard the call, have not answered the call, or the answer has not yet yielded significant results. And so, the message bears repeating because we have not yet arrived at the future I believe all of us long for.

Being quite pragmatic, let me pull back from the cosmic perspective to a personal level for a minute. I often struggle with judging myself as not being disciplined or focused "enough". Recently I had a realization that if I replaced the word Commitment for Discipline and Passion for Focus, I experienced more compassion - a loosening around the harshness that 'focus and discipline' tend to hold for me; and the self-judgment that often accompanies them.

Passion compels me in areas where my gifts and purpose lie. Focus seems more of an arbitrary limitation. Commitment (for me) allows for my humanness. If I'm disciplined I "should" do whatever I say I will (I.e. exercise) exactly when and how I say... because I am disciplined damn it!
Commitment is not something I give, or take, lightly... but I do seem to realize that I am human and will need to come back, and come back, and try again, and recommit, as part of the journey.

So that is how it is with this message from Marrianne - I found it to be a call for a deeper, and renewed, commitment to being more consciously loving and pro-active in the world.

I could judge myself for not having the discipline to be, do, and have more results in the area of making a difference in the world--or I could simply see it as a commitment that I have chosen to make, and that I need to be reminded of from time-to-time so that I can re-commit... and so that my passion can be reawakened and deepened as well. A passion that can draw me forward gently and fiercely towards that which I am called to do.

Of course, how we each make a difference can look soooo many ways. Big. Small. Consistent or periodic. Consciously or even unconsciously. Each is valuable. Each matters. However, I don't believe apathy is a viable option for any of us going forward.

So my challenge to each of you powerful people from all around the world--is this:

Join me in deciding what your intention is for 2008 when it comes to making this planet a better, more hospitable, more loving and beautiful place for us, and the generations after us, to live?

There is no right answer to this--but "nothing" is the answer that got us all to the state the world is in now--and it is not a luxury we can afford any longer. Ladies in particular - we have, as Marianne says so eloquently, a sacred duty to birth a new future. And when I think of each one of you, I see such an amazing force for good. I see intelligence. I see power and strength. I see wisdom and compassion. I see all of the things that are the very solutions needed to turn things around.

I know that this is not your traditional "May you get lots of money (aka abundance) and love, etc., etc. message that I usually send and I know I'm getting pretty heavy on your asses... oh well. Please may I never become toooo predictable!!

I do wish you the best. I wish you the gift of having the best that is within you expressed in the world in your own unique and special way!
Because not only does that benefit me (and everyone else on the planet), but it also means you will realize many of those traditional benefits we wish for one another... joy, happiness, fulfillment, connection and greater abundance.

I'd love to hear your intentions if you want to share them so we can inspire one another with our ingenious ways of rocking the world. You can post them here on my blog ... or on (gack!) my Facebook (just do a search for my name - I'm the one hanging off of the zip line - there are 3 of us... go figure!), or email me at worldly.woman@hotmail.com

Or, you can just hold that intention, that commitment, in your heart and know that I honor you for the immense difference your life already makes, and will continue to make, to me and to the world. Blessings for 2008... and beyond!!

With love and appreciation,

Jannette

In Greece and Loving It!!!

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:00:49 GMT

Hello all... in case there are any of you still checking this blog!

I haven't finished putting up all of my South American adventures - but will... some time. However as soon as I got home in July, I facilitated 3 PB2's back to back and then left for my two week vacation with Mary, my best friend! We are just finishing the bus tour over S.E. Greece and will leave on Friday for the 7 day cruise to the Greek Islands!! I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

Apparently this is my year for travel! I have uploaded some pictures from Greece but haven't fixed them up like I did my other albums so there is no explanations etc. However, at some point I will likely post an update in case anyone is still reading this!

Hope all is well with you!

Cheers for now - and happy trails to you!
Jannette

Back in Calgary - Yipee!!

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:29:01 GMT

GLAD TO BE HOME!!

It's been a long couple of days... I left Rio yesterday at 2 pm EST to arrive home today at 12:30 MST so it's been about 22 hours of travel time with about 4 hours of semi-sleep in there... so a tad tired but VERY happy to be home again. I do wish I had a bit more time in Rio, and in Brazil and Argentina in general, but I'll just have to go back there (and see Chile as well) again sometime in the future. Anybody want to come with me?! Just give me a while to pay off this trip and save up!!

I had a great breakfast with my long-time friends Daniel and Marie at the airport in Toronto this morning between my flights and my lovely friend Mary picked me up at the airport in Calgary. It was SO good to see her gorgeous welcoming face! I've missed her, my other friends, my family, my home, Kira my cat, and the lovely familiarity of Canada and all things familiar! Speaking of which, it is so nice to be able to flush toilet paper again! I know I do tend to obssess a bit about the whole toilet thing... but you would too if you had to put your toilet paper in a garbage bin in the room with you all the time for 8 months. But I digress, I'm happy to be back, I wish I had longer to travel, and I 'm not sure what I'm doing in the future other than the 3 Personal Best courses I am facilitating over the next 6 weeks but I will deal with all of that Manana!! (I did pick up some things while traveling)

It was a wonderful journey. I loved seeing and doing all the things I had the awesome opportunity to experience!Not this week, but the week after I will try to post more pictures and more blog highlights from the trip in an effort to get you all caught up! It was just so packed with things (or much needed sleeping time) that I didn't get it done... even more pathetically - I'll be mailing a whack of post cards from here! Ah well...

Drop me a line at worldly.woman@hotmail.com to let me know how you are and I will try to connect with all of you soon... hopefully before I head out to Greece with Mary for the first two weeks of September! Yup, that's right - I still have more travelling to do!!

Until then, big hugs! - Jannette

Rio and Home!!

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 10:55:27 GMT

At the copa, copacabana... music and passion are always in fashion...

Feel free to sing along. I´m staying at a Hostel called ´Stone of a Beach´ in the Copacabana district, and am just waiting to go on a city tour to see the Christ the Redeemer statue that looks out over the city, Sugar Loaf mountain and other famous Rio de Janerio landmarks. I fly out tomorrow afternoon and it is with a few mixed emotions. I do love traveling - and could probably do it for a long time more... and I am VERY happy to be coming home to see friends and family, to get back to work (whatever that may be... still up in the air about a few things), and to enjoy the luxeries we so take for granted in Canada.

What I hope to bring back with me is the sense of passion for life that so many Latin Americans have... particularly in Argentina and Brazil!!

Over the last few weeks I have enjoyed highlights like boating around some islands off the coast of Brazil and learning Samba from Marco the charming boat captain. Watching Capaiaro (really not sure about the spelling) a Brazilian cross between Martial arts, performance (singing and playing instruments) and dance - it is fascinating and beautiful and the people are in INCREDIBLE shape! Amazing BBQ´s - man do these people like thier meat and boy do they know how to cook it!!! Rafting (only class 3 rapids - but it was VERY fun to be back on the river... I missed it more than I thought I did!) And other highlights... but my bus is here now so I have to run.

Look forward to seeing you all soon.

Hugs Jannette

Iguassu was brilliant!!!

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:17:25 GMT

OK, coming down the home stretch now... we have less than a week left until we arrive in Rio de Janero. On one hand it's too damn soon... on the other I can't wait to get home. So that's probably the best time to finish a trip.

This last part is a bit of a tough haul. It's all camping and many of the days we set up our tents and camp for one night, get up early, tear down and then drive all day to do it again the next night. Right now we're in a small town called Bertioga on the Atlantic coast. We drive to Paraty (I think) tomorrow for 2 nights and then into Rio. I'll be happy to be done with camping for awhile!

However, all of that aside, the trip has been great. Iguassu falls was spectacular. Imagine 10 - 15 Niagra falls all spread out over several kilometers set against pretty rain forest. We did a boat trip (similar to the one in niagra) where they take you up to the falls (and you get SOAKED... VERY refreshing!!), then a tour through the national park on a truck, train, and raft. We visited the falls from the Argentinian side as well as the Brazilian side-definately the best way to see them. The falls - and the main river that feeds them, is comprised of a river from Brazil, one from Argentina, and one from Paraguay. Speaking of Paraguay... not one of my favorite countries. Although to be fair we didn't really do much there that was interesting or fun or go anywhere pretty...hopefully there are pretty places there somewhere!

I'm struggling with language in Brazil. I know 2 words in Portugese, and frankly, can't be bothered to learn more right now. After working so hard to learn and use Spanish for 7 months it's hard to switch for a week... so sign language is in - and I speak Spanish in the hopes that a few of the words will be similar and therefore I'll get across the gist. So far so good.

I've got my flight booked home on Air Canada (although that was a 5.5 hr. odyssey from hell on the internet at a hotel with computers from the last century!) but still have to book my flight from Rio to Sao Paulo where my flight leaves from. Sao Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world with over 14 million people living there! UGG. I'm glad I'm only flying in and out of there!

The trip has been great from a seeing the major things I wanted to see perspective - especially Machu Picchu and Iguassu... and there have been some lovely surprises - like Argentina in general and a lot of the really fun adventure activities. The majority of people have been wonderful in every country (although they aren't really friendly or service oriented in parts of Bolivia) and for the most part I've enjoyed the people on the tour. Being the only N.A. has been interesting. Of course, I have also had to deal with a lot of my old issues. Approval, my victim stuff, and I see a lot of my Mother coming out in me with expectations that I don't communicate and then get resentful when people don't meet them.... sigh. Still some work to do but oh well - if I didn't have I'd probably be done learning my lessons here on this planet, and I'm still having a good time so am not ready to go just yet!

What I did affirm, and deepen my appreciation for, was my courage. This is something that I have relied on throughout my life, so much in fact that I often take it for granted. Oh not the courage to do big, scarey things - although I've done lots of that too... but the much more important courage to simply be willing. Willing to try to Inca trek although I was scared, and very sick. It was such a strong metaphor for the kind of courage I think we most often need. Not the strength for big heroic acts, but the courage to take the next small step when most of you is saying NO FUCKING WAY!! That step, then the next, then another can carry you a VERY long way! It got me over several gargantuan mountain passes, past pain, past doubts, fears, and most importantly, past the No that limits my life in too many ways. No to me. No to my dreams. No to the possible... and hence, no to the wonderousness of doing the impossible. I'm not claiming a great accomplishment - but on this trip I have had many opportunities to appreciate the power of a simple Yes... which most often has to be preceded by a "O.K. I'm willing to try."

So that is one of the gifts of this journey. There have been many and I'll try to write more here for you in the future.

I've been busy trying to put together a picture CD (now up to 5 cd's or 2 dvd's) of everyone's photos for everyone to have as a reminder of our trip. It has been a MAJOR undertaking and one of the reasons why I'm so behind in my blog. If I'm not sleeping (or trying to) on the bus, I've been working on that - or occaisionally playing Asshole (a card game) for hours. Consequently I have not updated my journal for about 4 weeks. Ah well...

I'm coming home on the 16th, but will be facilitating a Personal Best 2 course from the 18th to the 22nd so will not be available to talk to anyone until July 24th. I'm staying at my friend Mary's house until I can move back into my home at the beginning of August. (Yay! My own bed! A dishwasher! A shower with hot water whenever I want!! Ah the joys of living in a 1st world country!!) If any of you would be willing to help me move my stuff back from my garage to my house I could use the help!! I'll bribe you with your vice of choice!! I am doing a course at the beginning of the month in Edmonton so won´t be around then, but may have to arrange to move stuff back in for my roommates... assuming I get roommates. Email me if you have a couple of hours. I would also like people who are ruthless to help me continue the major purge of clutter and excess I started before I left!

No promises about further updates until some time in August (when I hope to get the rest of my pictures etc. up for you all)... although I do have a LOOooooonnnngggg flight home on the 15th & 16th (22 hrs. in total although it is an overnight flight so hopefully there will be some sleep in there too!).

I wish I had some profound insights or a neat summary of this adventure for you all. But much like the rest my life, it is something that has to be experienced. And like the rest of life, it has had it's challenges - I've been reminded that no matter how far we travel, our issues somehow seem to arrive with us (luggage - not so much, but issues never seem to get lost!?!) There was always the "dailyness" of life that had to be attened to. There was the wonder and frustration of being outside of a comfort zone... particularly when that comfort zone includes luxeries like hot water, toilets you can flush toilet paper down, and while we're at it... toilets and toilet paper! However, as much as I have tried to 'put you in the picture' the experience loses much of it's essence in the retelling, pictures pale in comparison to the real beauty, and moments of grace cannot be translated or conveyed in mere words.

Hopefully all of the people I have met, the places I have seen, and the wild-ass things I have done have further stretched me and helped me live out to my edges--which is one of my major goals in life. It is my hope that somewhere along the way, you benefit from the flavoring and seasoning that this trip has provided!

Thank you all for journeying with me. Sorry about the lack of info. and pics over the last 2 months... not to mention the confusing date timeline. For those of you who kept in touch, it has been fun receiving your emails and hearing what has been going on for you. I look forward to connecting with you all some time in the near future!!

Until then, it is NEVER too late to make that dream that you have had tucked away in the corner of your mind, come true. Fortunately my dream destinations and activities were still here for me to see and experience... not all of our dreams are that patient or abiding... so what are you waiting for? What is that thing you've always wanted to see, do, or be? As my friend Alice Wheaton so wisely says... "If not now, when?"

With love,

Jannette

Bolivia - Not so much! Argentina - YES!

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 22:50:32 GMT

I only have a small update... have not had time to write much more... and little internet access due to driving so much and camping a lot now. However, the short version is - Bolivia kind of sucked with a few exceptions (ie. the Salt Flats) and Argentina Rocked! Loved the Gouchos (cowboys), the energy, the activities we did, and the meat!! They love thier meat there!!

We are in Ascuncion, Paraguay right now (July 4th) - on our way to Iguassu Falls tomorrow and the next day! I am very excited... the falls are one of the top things I wanted to see here in South America. I have wanted to come here ever since I saw the movie, The Mission 25 years ago!!! (some of us are a little slow at making some things happen)

LIMA - May 28

Lima, the capital of Peru, is a bustling city of approx. 9 million! It is home to nearly one third of the country’s population and 2/3’s of it’s industries. It is crowded, interesting, and seeped in history.

Lima was the chief city of Spanish S.A. from its founding 1535 until the independence of theS.A. republics in the early 19th century. Mixed in with the traditional colonial buildings which still survive soar many tall skyscrapers which have dramatically altered the skyline. The city is smoggy and quite dirty in places. It has the largest squatter camp in the world with 350,000 people building up an award winning self-governing community since 1971. They pay no taxes but they also receive little infrastructure help from the government. We didn’t actually see it… just read about it.

There is a very nice seaside suburb called Miraflores, one of the more affluent neighborhoods, where we all went for dinner one night at the fascinating mall that is built into the side of the cliffs that overlook the ocean. After dinner some of us did a little 10 pin glow-bowling and then the whole group went to Calle de Pizza (pizza street) which is a 3 block strip of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and karaoke clubs. We had some drinks and then partied down in a "discothèque". The clubs here are about 5-20 years behind the times in terms of décor, music, and the dress of their clientele. Sometimes it’s a fun little flashback… sometimes just a tacky experience. This night many of our group ‘connected’ with some of the locals. The amusing thing was that the locals didn’t speak any English and my friends don’t speak any Spanish. Despite that they did find other ways to ‘communicate’. Let’s just say that lust has it’s own universal languages. At one point, I found myself translating and setting up dates for 3 people. Sigh… always the matchmaker, never the matchee. It was definitely a weird experience to let either party know that a) he lives at home with his parents, and b) she has a roommate at the hotel… so… not so much with the any place to go. Ah well - probably for the best!

I didn’t go to any of the 9 museums but did visit the San Francisco Church and the Cathedral that are on the main plaza. It seems most S.A. cities (of Spanish design) are built around a main square-often known as the Plaza de Armas because it is where the army would hold exhibitions and practice maneuvers. They are usually surrounded by government buildings, a big church, often a big cathedral (not sure yet what the difference is - they’re both Catholic), and in the case of Lima, the archiepiscopal palace, and city hall.

Lima is famous for its balconies. Most of the buildings have restaurants on the second floor with balconies that overlook the streets or squares below.

While I appreciated the beauty of many of the areas of Lima, and the industriousness of the city, I would not want to live there. Quite a bit of crime, smog, and the oppression of too many bodies.

PISCO - May 30

Along the way to Pisco we stopped at Huacachina, a small oasis located amongst the miles and miles of sand dunes. We took an optional excursion in sand buggys and got to do "Sand Boarding" which is similar to the ‘Volcano boarding’ I did down Cerro Negro in Nicaragua, but WAY MORE FUN!!

The buggying was wild - up and down these high dunes. At the top of the 4 biggest ones we got out, grabbed a modified snow board and zoomed down the dune head first on our stomachs. It was quite a rush, literally and metaphorically. I would have loved to do that for another day or two but we had to carry on.

Pisco’s claim to fame is being the manufacturing home of the national drink a ‘Pisco Sour’ - a strange drink with egg whites, a sour liquor, and cloves. From Pisco we went to Paracas where we took a 2 hour boat ride out to the Ballestas islands; the "Poor mans Gallapagos". There were thousands of birds, seals, sea lions, and penguins. There was also a carving on the side of a hill on the way out to the islands that was similar to the lines in the desert in Nasca. They are not sure if it was a directional sign for fishermen, or had some other meaning. Because the area is so dry and there is little wind (ironic given that it is on the ocean) the drawing is remarkedly well preserved.

I am afraid that I still have not caught up ... stay tuned for an install on the fascinating Nasca lines, the Salt flats in Bolivia... and yes eventually all the details on where I have been between May 30 and now (July 4)!

Confused yet? Sorry about the jumping around dates...

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:05:22 GMT

Right now I´m in Potosi, Bolivia. The Internet access here is PAINFULLY slow so this update is making me pull my hair out. However, I hope to get all caught up within the 10 days. We are on the road for the next two days – then back here for 2 nights and then leave for Argentina. We are starting the trek across S.A. so we´ll be doing lots of long driving days and camping... both of which will make it challenging for me to keep in touch. However, keep looking because there is lots of great pictures and info. on various parts of Peru--including details on the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu!! In my last posting we finished with the jungle excursion and our various adventurous outings in Banos (including my parasailing) and had just crossed into Peru. This update picks up from there...

PUNTA SAL – PERU – May 22 - 25

We put up our little A-framed tents on the beach and settled in for 2 days of R&R including swimming in the ocean, walking along the beach, horseback riding on the beach (for some – I didn’t go), volleyball and of course, massive consumption of alcohol

by many of our group. We have a broad age range, from 18 – 47 and from various cultures so there are a number of partiers. The festivities carried on till 3:30am by the fire the morning we were leaving, including much shrieking as a couple of them went skinny dipping. I finally asked them to shut-up, as we had to get up at 5:30 to prep breakfast for our 7 am departure. Sigh.

The second day 9 of us went fishing with 3 local fishermen. It was a smallish boat and we fished using hand lines. That’s fishing line wrapped around a piece of wood. You let the sinker take the line down (about 100ft.) and then pull it slowly back up hoping that your bait will attract something. If you get a nibble, you have to hook them with a tug and then just pull your line up and wind it around the wood. It’s basic but it works. The fishermen along the coast all use this method to get food for their families and to sell. Fortunately, they baited our hooks for us with the slimy, stinky pieces of octopus we used. J Mehul, a young guy in our group caught a big fish fairly early in the morning so we were all optimistic, however we only caught small fish from then on. I caught 6, including a mom and baby on my two hooks, and although I tried to encourage catch a release, the Peruvian fishermen seemed to think they were all worthy catches. Frankly, I think they kept them because we weren’t catching much and they didn’t want us to go home empty handed. Unfortunately, 7 out of the 9 people were quite sea-sick and did not enjoy the morning. Gunther and I did fine. In fact, I’m one of the few people in our group that hasn’t gotten bus sick even when I sit in the seats facing backwards and work on my computer – which is a good thing or I’d never get these updates written. J

When we’re camping the cook groups make our meals. We are all in a group of 4 or 5 people. We rotate cooking and truck cleaning duties. When it’s a cook day it’s a lot of work as you have to unload all the kitchen stuff, prep the meal(s), clean up, and pack up all the tables and stools etc. When we’re camping the group on cook duty during that period have to come up with their menus and do the shopping as well. Truck cleaning duties include emptying the garbages, cleaning the rugs, sweeping, and washing the inside of the windows. It’s not too hard and each group only ends up doing it a few times during the trip.

HUANCHACO – May 25 - 27th

I’m surprised by how much of Peru is desert. It’s arid, dry and much of it looks like the Drumheller area. We are passing through the oil region where derricks are seen pumping out their ‘black gold’. This is another of those preconceived ideas that is proving false. I thought of Peru as green and lush. Parts of it are… but a huge portion is desert.

Along the way to Huanchaco we stopped at Lambayeque, a very nice museum

With displays of artifacts found in the tomb of the Lord of Sipan. There were hundreds of pieces of intricate gold and turquoise jewelry, pottery, and even textiles that the natives used 1000’s of years ago. There was even a replica of a full size tomb, which included the Lord of Sipan and his wealth, along with 2 wives, a son, 2 llamas, a dog, his military commander, and a guard. All buried with him. Sucks to be too close to the big guy!

Huanchaco is a coastal town where he local fishermen still ride the surf in reed boats.

However, most of our time was spent visiting Chan, Chan, the world’s largest mud city covering over 26 sq. Km. We also visited the Pyramids (step, not pointed like the Egyptian pyramids) of the Sun and Moon, built by the Moche civilization.

Chan, Chan was fascinating in both it’s architectural scope and it’s artistry. Many of the paintings were well preserved in the Pyramids, and many of the intricate carvings in the walls of the city are still intact. The condition of these sites is well preserved because, despite being close to the coast, it is extremely dry. There is very minimal rainfall throughout the year, and few strong winds to erode the structures. One of the many fascinating facts that our colorful English guide Michael provided, was that the parts of the city that have been restored, as faithfully as possible using traditional methods to mimic the originals, was the part that fell apart during the earthquakes… the original structures stood—as they have for 1000’s of years. The architects of the past used methods and simple materials that can do what our modern structures and space-age materials cannot accomplish. The more I see, the more I think we have forgotten more than we now know.

For those of you who would like more info. on this interesting site, you can go to this link: http://www.inkanatura.com/coastchiclayotrujillochanchan.asp

Incidentally, all of the major temples are ¨guarded¨ by a special breed of hairless dogs. They are quite funky looking creatures.

My next update will fill you in on Lima, a bustling city of 9 million so check back early next week! Hope you are all doing well and are enjoying spring!

Still catching you up....

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:38:27 GMT

MISAHUALLI / AMAZON JUNGLE – May 15 - 17

I´ll carry on with my Jungle saga now... We got up disgustingly early (5am ug! There are a number of early mornings especially on long driving days—not my best time. We often have a lot of sleeping people on the bus) to catch our dugout canoes that would take us up the river for 1.5 hours. We got out at Monkey rock and entered the jungle where we trekking up and down hills for almost 6 hours. Keep in mind that this is in approximately 85 – 95 F heat with humidity at between 75 – 100% (when it rained in the afternoon).

(Jungle pics – ants & spiders)

Our guide Wingol educated us about traditional uses for various jungle plant life, and showed off various bugs and critters. He got us to eat ants (very lemony—kind of like chewing on sesame seeds—apparently highly nutritious), made us fans, bottle holders, and Tarzan swings out of vines (yes we actually swung through the jungle on vines).

After the long, humid, sweaty, muddy (did I mention most of us were covered with mud from sliding down hills that were pure mud from the afternoon downpour) we arrived at the “Rustic” lodge in the middle of no-where. There was a large long-house (dining hall and kitchen) and several thatched roof cabins. Rustic, on trips of this type, usually means crappy toilets, cold showers, and no power just candles. However, it was a charming place and the kids were as taken with us as we were with them. They served us wonderful meals and the cabins were comfortable despite how cold it got at night (one of many preconceived notions that I have had dispelled on this trip. The jungle is not always hot… in fact you can freeze your ass off in it)

We did a number of things during the two days at the lodge including floating down the river in inner tubes (fun – even went through a small class 3 rapid – loved it!) We went upriver in the canoes at night and then turned around, turned the engines off and glided back to camp just listening to the jungle noises at night. It was a lovely sensation just floating through the night with the sounds of beetles, birds, and other unidentified critters serenading us (you can listen to the sounds under the video section… not quite as good as the real thing but you get the idea). We visited a local family who had the typical 14 kids (most families have between 10 and 16) and learned how to use a blowpipe (which they use to hunt for food) and saw how they make the crafts they sell at local markets. They were destitute by our N.A. standards, but were happy, close, and seemed content. I’m not saying their life was grand… but they simply don’t add the layers of complexity and stress we seem to manufacture in our crowded day-to-day lives.

The night before we left Kylie arranged a special event. She had a local area Shaman come to perform a ritual. He was complete with grass skirt, Chicha (the hallucinogenic drink he consumes to commune with the ‘other side’) and rattle. Wingol explained the process of becoming a Shaman – which is very similar to the process many N.A. Indian Shamen undergo. Rights of purification, constantly increasing exposure (via drugs, meditation, and other methods) to the spirit world, study of nature and jungle curative plants and animal extractions, and service to the community through healing work, exorcisms, etc..

He performed a ‘clearing’ on three of us (all women – the guys wouldn’t go up – and of course I volunteered) which included us sitting on a carved animal stool, him chanting over us and shaking a rattle of leaves over our head for approximately 10-15 minutes. He then drank some of the Chicha, chewed some ginger and spat it over our head (kind of off to the side… not directly on our hair – although it did sound quite gross). After he did that he sucked something, presumably evil spirits or negative energy, out of the top of our head and spat and coughed it off to the side. I somewhat expected black bug like creatures to come out in a big cloud like in “The Green Mile”. It was definitely an “Interesting” experience. I didn’t feel a perceptable difference, although I did feel him in my energy field while he was chanting and rattling it. I didn’t notice a difference the next day but then, I don’t live in my body as much as some others might. Not sure it did much for us, but I can now check off “Participate in a shamanic jungle ritual” off my list. J (kidding, it wasn’t on my list originally… but probably should have been!)

The final day we walked an hour to the area school. We had brought book, pencils, etc. with us from Mishualli to give to the kids. There were classes of kids ranging from kindergarten to about 6th grade. The classrooms were ‘rustic’, undersupplied and the lunch being given to the young ones consisted of some rice gruel and a biscuit. However, it was more than many of them would receive at home.

After giving them thier supplies and listening to a song in Cetchua, the native language, we left the kids behind… which was a challenge as many of them had attached themselves to several of us, and got back in the canoes for the 3.5 hour boat ride back to Mishualli.

I have to say – as far as my expectations of what the Amazonian Jungle would be like… this trip was disappointing. We didn’t see many animals (aside from bugs) and it wasn’t as verdant and dense as I expected. I think my fantasy is more like the Brazilian side – but it was still interesting and I’m glad we went.

We returned to Banos and I had a massage, took a Salsa class, and generally had fun until we left for Cuenco, the third largest city in Ecuador.

CUENCO – May 20 - 22

The drive to Cuenco was an eleven hour day with the stops at an Inca ruin – Ingapirca.

Ingapirca is Ecuador’s most important archeological site. It is the outline of a village including the remains of a temple used for religious rituals and festivals. Frankly, after Tikal and other ruins I have visited, it was boring and quite forgettable. It was the home of the Inca and Canari tribes of the time. The grazing Llamas were interesting as these were among the first we had seen up close and personal.

The hostel we stayed at in Cuenco was cool. Posada del Angel lived up to it’s name with pictures and statues of angels throughout. Trene, my roommate, and I had a room with a loft which was nice. The city itself wasn’t highly remarkable although one of it’s claims to fame is that it is the home of the Panama hat. Bet’cha thought they were from Panama huh? Nope, they have always been manufactured here and became popular when the expat community working on the Panama Canal projects saw many of the Ecuadorian workers wearing them. They liked them, started to buy them, and they were shipped through Panama extensively. Hence the name…

From Cuenco we crossed the border into Peru and our first camping stop along the Coast line of Peru. Bye, bye Ecuador!

The border crossing was complete with the crowded markets lining both sides of the official immigration areas, the long lines of people waiting to get stamped, and of course, people wanting to shine your shoes, sell you something, escort you through the process (for a fee of course), or some other money-making scheme. There were lots of sights, sounds, and smells, that seem peculiar to the chaos that I’ve come to associate with border crossings. You can buy almost anything. You are assaulted by the smells that go along with packed people, overripe fruit, animals, and lots of garbage. Although it’s not always pleasant, it is always interesting.

South American Trip Update

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 01:24:36 GMT

O.K. FINALLY! (At least some of it)

I’m WAY behind on updates, but I’ll try to start at the beginning and fill you in on the tour so far. I’ve put up more pictures than I have updates here for… and will be putting up more, but for now, here is a start. By the way – check out the video section, there are some new ones there on someone doing the bridge jump, boating up the river Napo to the Jungle lodge, and the sounds of the Jungle at night!

QUITO, ECUADOR

The second highest capital in the world, at an altitude of 2850 M above sea level, the city is located in an intermont basin, at the point of Pichincha, a massive volcano whose highest of several peaks rises to 4794 M. This volcano has recently become more active, often showering the city of Quito in ash. Due to it’s position in a narrow valley, the city has grown longitudinally and now measures 30 km in length by only 3 to 5 km in width. In the pre-Inca era, several tribes inhabited the area but the Spanish colonial city of Quito was founded on 06/12/1534. In addition to being the nations capital, it is a centre of commerce, industry and higher education with 3 major universities and several polytechnic institutes.

I arrived on Thursday May 10^th from San Jose, Costa Rica. I spent the next two days getting my money sorted out and buying a sleeping bag and mats for camping (I didn’t want to haul mine all through Central America). I met a few of the people that were joining the tour and we toured around Quito together. The cable car ride up to the top of Telliferico hill afforded us a great view of the entire city and valley.

However, the altitude made just walking up the hill hard for all of us. We took a short horseback ride where I was the source of much entertainment for the locals. You’ve heard the expression “It takes a village to raise a child”, well in my case “It takes a village to get me on a horse!” There was a large group of S.A. tourists watching us crazy gringos… apparently it was so entertaining that they hung around for ½ hour just to watch us dismount. LOL – ah well, it’s good to be good for something!

We all met at our orientation on the 12^th and had drinks and dinner. I’m the only North American and the majority are from England or Australia. There are a couple of South Africans (although both are living in England), two young guys from Kenya (also currently living in England), and a couple from New Zealand… 20 of us in all plus Kylie (a Kiwi) and Scott (originally from Nova Scotia but has been living in Africa and New Zealand for the past 9 years) our guide and driver.

Quito is an interesting combination of worlds. Colonial Spanish meets modern day glass skyscrapers with a heavy dose of typical cement buildings seen throughout most of Central and South America. The “Old Town” was lovely with lots of fascinating architecture.

It is a city riddled with churches (Catholicism is heavily predominant here and throughout most of S.A.), and museums. We visited the Iglesies de Companeros – the most famous church in S.A.. It is a marvel… and personifies the phrase ‘over the top’. From the elaborate cement sculptured façade to the entirely gold encrusted interior – it is all that I find both fascinating and frustrating in Churches (particularly Catholic ones).

While I appreciate the artistry, skills, and intention to glorify God through making churches a place of beauty… I also see the incredible amount of money that goes into a single building while whole populations scratch out an existence and whole towns go without basic infrastructure like a good water system. Not to mention the fact that they are designed to make us feel small and insignificant, in need of ‘the powers that be’ in the church to be intermediaries for surely we cannot simply connect directly to source. Not to mention the amount of fear-based art… paintings of hell and damnation that look like scenes out of the most depraved horror flicks (worse actually). I find it hard to be compelled into a loving relationship with someone I fear. One of the many dichotomies I struggle with in many traditional religions. However, religious diatribes aside – the buildings are amazing to look at although by about the 40^th one I’m sure I will find them far less fascinating!

On Sunday the 13^th we boarded “Jack” for the first time and headed to our first destination. Jack is our home on wheels. There are compartments for our camping gear, our luggage, a fridge, truck repair tools and parts, and various other items. There is, however, no bathroom. There aren’t many places to dump refuse and the chemicals etc. necessary for that kind of set up are not very ecologically sound. So we stop about every two hours for smoke and pee breaks. Sometimes there is a gas station with a bathroom… sometimes we have to forage for some kind of cover behind which to squat. Men definitely got the better deal when it comes to this!

BANOS, ECUADOR

Banos de Agua Santa is a town in Central Ecuador known for it’s thermal hot springs and a major “turistic” (they use this word a lot here) centre. Some claim that the Virgin Mary appeared near a waterfall in the town. It is also well known for it’s Mom and Pop stores where they sell taffy made from cane sugar and pulled into shape from wooden pegs hung from the wall.

Despite being there for 3 days I didn’t manage to make it to any of the 7 hot pools. Too much else to do and besides they weren’t as nice as the Banff or even Jasper hot springs. However, while in Banos we did do a bunch of other wild and crazy stuff. Many of our group jumped off a perfectly good bridge for no good apparent reason. I probably would have tried it – but had just done the Tarzan swing in the Costa Rican jungle – and while not quite as high… I felt I had sufficiently peed my pants for one trip!

In addition, some of the group went “Canyoning”, horse-back riding, quadding, and so on. I opted to go parasailing. It was awesome! We did tandem jumps, which means that we had a very experience pilot strapped to our backs. All we had to do was run a few steps down the hill, and then sit back in the material seat that is part of the gear you are strapped into. Before I even had time to be scared we were lifted up into the air over 300 ft. in a couple of seconds.

I stayed aloft for about 25 minutes and swooped and soared over the valley 3000 ft. below!! The view was incredible and it was a liberating experience. Imagine sitting in your favorite armchair suspended in the air, just floating over the ground. You can hear and see the canopy overhead if you look but you can also ignore them and for the time being it’s just you, the sky, and the green valley as far as the eye can see. Mountains, clouds, cows in the pastures below and the occasional local walking on the road that winds through the hills—usually carrying a bundle of wood or sugar cane on their bowed backs. The landing was a little rough because of the winds. The first attempt had us swooping through a corn field where I gathered up a bunch of corn husks in my lap as they whipped through my legs. The second time we just landed with a rather undignified but eminently practical plop on my ass in the field. Hey, it worked!

After Banos we headed to Misahualli – the jump off point for our excursion up the Amazon. Misahualli is a dusty, little town with no real redeeming features aside from a nice river that floats past it and a cute monkey troupe that lives in the main town square.

The 2 long thin dugout canoes took us up the Napo river to Monkey Rock where we left them for a 5.5 hour trek through the Jungle to the Lodge. I’ll have to pick up from this point in my next update… so stay tuned for the rest of our Jungle adventure!