My trip to Peru was fraught with exhaustion, and physical and mental unease. But also, moments of astounding beauty. Wherever drinking water attracts serious side eye, I’m wary of uncooked anything, which was served in abundance. Sigh. The altitude was another obstacle. I’d never breathed air that thin for more than an hour or two. So, ten days between 10,000 feet and 15, 000 feet felt daunting. Plus, did I mention I’m basically a weakling with chronic fatigue? But I did it. I kept up with everyone else, even though on the inside, I was dying. I took Pepto Bismol, but overall, remained gut stable. I preserved, and as luck and prayers would have it, I didn’t miss a thing—except the San Pedro ceremony or plant medicine that resembled Ayahuasca.
If you’ve ever thought about visiting Peru, please do! The Andes mountains are rugged and beautiful, the people and ceremonies are a rainbow-colored visual treat, and Machu Picchu is a surreal world wonder.
Here’s what I learned in Peru:
There are over 3,000 kinds of potatoes grown in Peru, in varying colors, shapes and sizes. One of my favorite memories was wandering the farmer’s market in Pisac. The smells! Oh, and the splayed and goose bumped, about-to-be-chopped chicken feet. I saw the biggest watermelons on earth. And piles of purple, orange, red, and brown wiggly potatoes. Oddly enough, mostly because of the uninspired meals served at my hotel, I hardly ate any potatoes.
Women and men wear wide brimmed wool hats, like in a western movie, to keep their heads dry from the constant mountain mist and rain. It’s cold in Peru. Dress accordingly. Better yet, go in the summer season.
There are two circuits at Machu Picchu, and you’ll only be able to choose one. Stay in the misty and magical town Machu Picchu Pueblo below the site and go in twice. We traveled six hours round trip on an exhausting route from Pisac, which wasn’t even close to Machu Picchu. And I was never able to wander amongst the ruins.
If you’re planning to try sacred and hallucinogenic plant medicine, like the San Pedro cactus, keep in mind that you may be sick afterwards for quite some time. It could derail your trip with very little reward. That’s why I didn’t do it.
Often, first-time Alpaca mothers abandon their young, and the babies were like cuddly, uber-soft, adorable orphans bouncing around the mountains. But don’t worry, they are nursed into adulthood by the people of Peru. Did you know there are four camelid species in Peru? Alpacas, Llamas, Vicuna, and Guanaco.
Don’t forget to see Lake Titicaca, and all the other sites beyond Machu Picchu. I didn’t see all of the sites I wanted to see, but because I had an action-packed itinerary, I didn’t think it would be a big deal—until after I’d flown so far and spent so many soles. Make sure you’re booking the right trip to match your interests and culinary tastes. Ask questions and do your homework.
Eat your soup. The vegetable quinoa soup is delicious! They grow quinoa in Peru and it melts in your mouth like fresh noodles.
I experienced a ceremony that will enhance a chapter of my upcoming book, The Savannah Book of Spells. Everyone in our group thought about purposeful wishes and goals while we held sacred coca leaves, then we blew our desires to the surrounding mountains in three strong huffs. The leaf spoils were added to a pile of cookies, beads and objects, along with mystery items that we unwrapped, each with a special meaning to the people of Peru, like corn or herbs. After the ceremony, the pile of herbs, trinkets and leaf spoils were wrapped and later, buried. That sounds like something my green witches could do.
Buy handicrafts from the locals. What a riot of color! I bought a small stuffed alpaca and tied the colorful and free friendship bracelets I received during the trip around its furry neck. The souvenirs and memories of travel you acquire will live on in your heart forever. Just like Peru.
"If no man could become rich in Peru, no man could become poor." ~ William Prescott
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