Days 72, 73, and 74: December 12th, 13th, and 14th
Cuzco, Peru
Stayed at Healing House

Dear Obiwan,
The next three days were full of learning and needed relaxation. I started my Spanish lessons! I had 4 hours on Wednesday and Thursday and 2 hours on Friday. My teachers were Silvia and Mariela. I was still feeling pretty sick and would feel even more sick when I would walk due to the altitude. However, I still was happy!

Look how beautiful this school is!:

My Spanish teachers are both so kind and helpful. Silvia is a little more conversational focused, we always start by her asking me a bunch of questions about my trip or my family or my life and then I answer and she will correct me and help me when needed. We also do some work on worksheets. Mariela is a little more worksheet focused but also converses with me as well! On Thursday during our conversations, Silvia told me that her husband works at the Healing House- and just BY CHANCE her husband is who I got my massage from! There are about 7 massuese’s there (I think) and the one who gave me one of the best massages of my life was her husband! And during my massage he had told me about falling in love and moving here…WITH HER IT’S HER! Ah what an amazing small world!!!

Also I had another healing moment at the Healing House on Wednesday. On Wednesday’s they have a pot luck, I didn’t know and was told right before and I tired to run out and buy some food but failed and I was told not to worry.

At this lunch, it was incredibly healing and bonding. After eating everyone sits in a circle and each person shares something they are grateful for. After this they ask if anyone from the community was leaving this week, I had plans to leave Saturday but I was too shy to say something, but one woman remembered and encouraged me to speak up. So I did.

I then was told to sit in the middle of the circle with the two other people who were leaving. They encouraged us to close our eyes, and then, something magical happened. Everyone begins to say things of love and positivity. It sounds like an orchestra of love, sometimes people speak at the same time, sometimes it is just one voice, but you hear, “you’re beautiful. You’re loved. Acceptance.” Etc. And after a minute it was so positively overwhelming I almost cried tears of joy. It reminds me of some Music Therapy techniques I’ve learned. I’m so grateful to be a part of it and everyone needs that in their life Obi. Loved ones or strangers telling you, with intention and meaning, that you are loved! And accepted! And beautiful! Obi I love you! Obi you are so loved!

After this I did some ‘slow yoga’ and no one else came, so I had a private yoga session! It was so hard though, I think it was too soon after being sick to do it, but it was slow so I could kinda handle it. In the end he played some hand drums and a didgeridoo! My eyes were shut when he started playing the didgeridoo so it was a complete surprise and it was startling and beautiful!

Before I went to sleep I spoke with Emma who was staying and works at Healing House about my original plans to leave this Saturday for Bolivia. I told her how I was still sick and loving Cuzco so much and also felt quite stressed to squeeze Bolivia into 7 days and then head to Punta Arenas for Patagonia! After speaking with her I gained clarity and made the decision to go to Lima next Tuesday, spend 2 days on the beach before going to Patagonia. I felt so much better after making this decision!

The next few days were full of more relaxing, Spanish lessons, and endless beautiful cafe’s and new food. Here’s a dog trying to sneak in a cafe, and failed!:

On Friday I wanted to attend one of the various classes they were offering at Healing House this week. The week I was there they were having a “Mysticism” week and I attended a class called, “12 Steps of Healing: Somatic Integration,” it was a different approach to healing involving specific 12 Steps and specific breathing techniques which each step!

My day ended with an enlightening conversation about life goals with an American woman at the hostel and some healing tea as well.

Well my dear lamb chop, until tomorrow.

Love you, tú Madre,
Carly