How can I explain the beauty and wonder of this place in such small words. There just doesn’t seem to be anything in my vocabulary that is capable of doing it justice.
Yesterday Patrick and myself were taken on a wonderous journey to the land of the Condors. Like the Eagle for North American Indigenous people, the Condor is a Sacred bird here in Ecuador. While the Eagle represents the head, the Condor represents the heart. We have transitioned into the time of the Heart and therefor we are experiencing the rise of the female power which has been evident in the news over the last year or more. Women are speaking up for their rights and gaining strength, which is making things a bit uncomfortable in some circles.
As an abuse victim, one whose abuse began at the tender age of 2 years old, I can well understand the need to stand up and be heard. Again, this is why I am here in this magical land, attempting to undo the damage done by those with the power to change a young and innocent life. Because of this journey and specifically the walk yesterday, I am beginning to understand why I am here. At this moment, it seems surreal, but I understand that it is the truth.
We drove along the long and very steep road leading into the mountains where the Condor lives, stopping along the way to admire the view.
Unfortunately I had to crop this image quite a bit in order to upload it onto this site, but you must trust me when I say, it was breathtaking. We continued on our way up this long cobblestone road climbing higher and higher, our final destination would be 4,000 m. The road is narrow and at times we had to pass when I thought it would be impossible to do so. The drop off on my side of the road was quite significant much like the mountainous drives in British Columbia. Here though there is even less of a margin for error as there is no shoulder, just a row of trees growing on the edge of the cliff. Somehow it seemed like enough though. Driving here is a little hair raising at times, but I have found myself trusting whoever is at the wheel, which is so out of character for me. Is this yet another sign that I am home, a place where I understand my place.
This is one of the many beautiful flowers of the region. I believe that this one may only grow here on the mountain, but I am not sure. There is such an amazing variety of flora and fauna here, some being peticular to an area. At the higher elevation of the mountain we were climbing there were only 3 types of trees that were able to grow. The landscape had changed becoming less green and luscious.
We arrived at the end of the driving part of the road and would continue the rest of our journey on foot, another few miles on a dirt road. I was told that this road was the road the Incans used to travel to Quito before the Spanish arrived. It would have been at least a 2 day journey with donkey or on foot. But this was how the merchants travelled in those times. The cobblestone road we drove up on had only been built about 80 years ago, so it would have been a rough dirt track until then. We wondered about the condition of the road when the rainy season hit, if the continuous rains would wash away the roads making them impassable. However Willak said the mountains absorb the rain and so it does not come down the mountain fast and hard, but very slowly as the earth and I suppose the foliage absorb the water. Pretty amazing really, considering the steep slopes and deep valleys.
There was a lake where we parked to continue on our journey. We admired the surroundings as Willak played his flute hoping to call in the Condors, but they did not arrive, so we went ahead and walked the dirt road still hoping to see them. We all took the walk at different paces, sometimes joining together, talking about this amazing place. I was walking this one stretch on my own for a bit, deep in thought when I suddenly had an urge to check out the view. When we started the walk we were standing on the shore of the lake – level with its shores. By the time I reached this particular spot, I was looking down on the lake. I looked down at my feet and saw to my surprise this rather large paw print. When the others caught up to me I showed them and we all agreed that it was most likely belonged to a Puma, which roam the area. I couldn’t believe my luck especially since I came within inches of stepping on it.
The print was about the size of my hand, so it was most likely a puma print. I thought it a pretty special find.
As we continued on it occurred to willak that perhaps the reason that we were not seeing the condor was due to the fact that the dirt road had just been worked on, smoothing out the ruts, etc. The noise would have bothered the birds and they most likely retreated further into their territory. Unfortunate for us, but hopefully one day we will be able to make a return visit.
We left the dirt road and ventured up the side of the hill where there was a flat area where we could sit and make an offering to the spirits of the mountain. A truly wonderful experience. I won’t explain all of it because to me this was a sacred experience and some things just should not be shared as they are very personal.
Where the Condors live.
After our ceremony on the hill we began our journey back, a long walk, but we were so satisfied inside, filled with peace and joy for the connection made with the earth and the sky. The sun was setting as we walked, and looking up, we saw the crisp blue sky darkening with the incredibly bright stars beginning to shine. Venus and Mars twinkling above us beside the mountain which looked like a human face looking up to the stars as we were. It was only 6:00, but we were shrouded in darkness as we arrived back at the lakeshore and our vehicle.
We began the long journey back on the cobblestone road, full of laughter and joy anticipating the dinner out that we were about to partake in. We had all worked up an appetite and the idea of pizza was very welcome to us all. The place we stopped at used a wood fired kiln to make the pizza with a very thin crust. We totally confused the man trying to take our order who finally had the good sense to stand back with a smile on his face waiting for us to make our final decision. We laughed and bantered back and forth trying to decide, the decision made harder because the pizzas were half price. We made our final 4 selections, and waited with anticipation for the pizzas to arrive at our table.
We ate and ate probably more than any of us thought we would, I know that was true for me in any case. We went home with full tummies and hearts, a little sleepy now. I know for myself I was looking forward to the dream time, wondering if the spirits would bless me with the gift of a message.
I was indeed blessed in the Dreamtime and also with a statement from the other guest about something connected to what I have experienced in my early childhood. I didn’t say anything, but I just had a sense of blocks falling into place. So I did indeed start this day with a feeling of complete satisfaction believing perhaps I have found at least part of the answer to my question…… ” why am I here and what is my purpose”.
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