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Other entries in Lima

Lima at last!

I finally arrived in Lima  a couple of hours late.  I hoped my contact here, Paola, was going to be there to pick me up.  Didn't have a clue how I would find her if she wasn't there.  I was a little tired by this point!  I left the security baggage area and entered a sea of people picking others up.  I looked for a sign with my name on it, but could not find one.  Finally a woman approached me...... Paola?  Yes!

Since my baggage still was not to be found, I had to wait around to file a baggage claim.  By the time we got to Paola's house, it was after 2:00 AM.  Paola fixed me some breakfast and we sat and talked until 4.  This was the first time we had met in person!  Another friend of hers from South Africa was already there, too.  Monique got up and joined us for a little while.  Two other friends were coming in later on that day.

There were 5 of us converging in Lima at Paola's house to start the first portion of my journey.  We were all on different trips, but starting here to go to Amazon outside of Pucullpa to participate in a ritual ceremony being put on by the Shipibo Indian Shamans to help heal the healing plants of the Amazon.  This ceremony had not been performed in 60 years, so this was an historic event.  At this point, we didn't know just how historic!  I still wonder just how I got here-had to be pure guidance! 

So, 5 ladies from 5 different continents converged in Lima!  Me from the US, Monique from South Africa, Francesca from New Zealand (now in London), Jo from the UK and Paola from South America.  Some very fantastic women!  Monique is a metaphysician (ex-banker) who is going to the ceremony and then continue on to do an apprenticeship with the Shipibo Indians to become a Shaman.  Francesca is a psychiatric nurse and Chinese medicine practioner.  Jo is into colonics.  Paola is an incredible networker and simultaneous interpreter who is into everything!  Me - just interested in the healing arts!  It was an interesting group of women with various backgrounds, expertises, and experiences willing to share, learn and teach! 

Paola had a dinner party on Sunday afternoon with 2 of the Shipibo Shamans that were going to be at the ceremony as well as several friends.  It was an exciting time with lots of translating going on, since we didn't speak Spanish or Shipibo and they didn't speak English.  But, somehow, we had quite an interesting conversation!  We watched the "Children of the Anaconda" film as well as another film about the Shipibo Indian ceremonies.  This really got us excited for our adventure!

On Monday, we spent the day getting stuff together to take to the indians - school supplies and such for the kids.  They are in such need of clothes and school supplies!  I brought a bunch of stuff with me from home to take to them.  Now, only if my luggage will show up......

We went into downtown Lima to sight see a little, but to go to the market to get the supplies.  What a zoo!  It is very congested with LOTS of noise and poverty.  The market is street after street of huge warehouses filled with booth upon booth of stuff!  Each booth specializes in something different (i.e. shoes, balls, shirts, books, jewelry).  Everything is very cheap by our standards!  Paola's maid went with us - thank goodness!  She was able to manuever easily through the mess and get us back home safely! 

Jo also got delayed coming in from the UK.  She finally made it in Monday night, just in time to leave on Tuesday.  Paola lost her billfold on Monday night, so was going to have to stay in Lima to get her documents in order.  So, our interpreter was going to stay behind!  Glad there were 4 of us traveling together!  

Finally heard that my luggage was going to be at the airport on Tuesday and that I could pick it up before leaving for Pucullpa.  I hope that is true!  Keep your fingers crossed!  It was amazing the run around on it! 

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