Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Llucayanacu and mushuk Pakarina- House of the New Rising Sun
I spent 5 weeks with Orlando Chujandama, in his home village of Llucayanacu, where he is building a health center (mushuk Pakarina- quechua for ¨house of the new rising sun¨). The village is 45 minutes down river from Chazuta, which is roughly and hour (depending on the road construction) from Tarapota, in the Northern Region of San Martin in Peru. Here are some immortilized moments i thought were worth sharing..
a typical visitor
Inca Kola O Agua? Inca Kola of course!
a typical situation on the Peruvian Andes roads.
ceremony room
chaculpa leaves
Orlandos Maloca and Kitchen (which blew over in a wind storm during my stay!)
a divine family member of the orchids
Ajo Sacha
rice and bananas, once a day, for 35 days.
Orlando Chujandama
Rainy departure from LLucayanacu back up the Huallga Rio towards Chazuta
back at orlandos home in Tarapoto
there was always a thunderstorm in the distance, but for the most part they seemed to skirt around Mushuk Pakarina.
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35 days of dieta! good for you! and it looks like you were alone mostly? only yours and Orlando's mats in the ceremonial maloca... what an amazing gift to be able to spend one-on-one time with Orlando! and another amazing gift to spend 35 days in relative isolation! bliss to me - hell to others...! i hope to go back to see Orlando in the next few months - and spend at least 10 nights out at Mushuk Pakarina...
ReplyDeletenow only to improve my Spanish!
Great information and pictures. Does Orlando speak any English? Is it worth visiting if my Spanish is limited?
ReplyDeleteOrlando knows very little English, but we had little difficulty communicating the vital logistics and aspects of the dieta. My Spanish was/is very limited (no formal schooling). I had a dictionary with me during my dieta, and I was able to communicate most of what I needed to! Aside from that, most of the learning in dieta comes from a space beyond words :) I highly recommend Orlando and his work, he is very trustworthy and genuine. If you should visit him, send him my blessings :) Ciao
DeleteHi there, could you please tell me if you were advised to take anti malaria tablets for travelling to this area of peru? The reason for asking is that I myself have been advised to take them, and I am concerned that they will affect my time there and consequently null the benefits of the ceremonies. I obviously don't want malaria, but I'd rather not take them... do you have any advice, what did you do when out there?
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Center of Disease control and protection, Peru generally has a low rate of malaria cases. Personally, I did not take any medication. I was in isolation for more than a month, and I did not contract malaria. Further, I believe It is not recommended to take malaria pills during a dieta or the time period surrounding ceremony... it may amplify your sensitivity in uncomfortable ways. Of course, so would malaria! I would also consider the season in which you are traveling- if it is the wet season, there will be more mosquitos, and vis versa. The choice to take them with you is purely of your own discretion.
ReplyDeleteI hope this sheds light on your decision. I wish you well upon your journeys.
Thank you! Your answer has indeed shed light on my decision. I am going out to Orlando's for 10 days (in April), then travelling the popular tourist sites for a further 14 as part of a group tour. Is it true that it takes around 28 days to fully integrate your experience from attending a Dieta? How did you find the following few weeks after you came out of your retreat? sorry for the questions I am just eager to know, and excited/nervous about going out for this!
ReplyDeleteBlogger gerjus30 said...
DeleteI was there last April, and the mosquitoes were not terrible, though they are definitely around (Orlando's birthday is April 26th, by the way :).
And while it is difficult to put a standard number on the integration period, it is desirable to maintain a post-dieta diet to retain the sensitivity and awareness you cultivate. Orlando will likely give you chicken and salt when you finish your dieta. It is also of help to reduce the amount of sugars and salts in the days leading up to dieta.
I had a difficult integration period- the enzymes in my digestive tract were dormant, and I had difficulty keeping anything in my body for at least a week after (the bus ride to cuzco was not desirable :). Keep in mind that I was at Orlando's center for 5 weeks, and I only ate once a day. Being that your dieta is 10 days, I don't think your integration period will be that difficult.
How quickly are you leaving Tarapoto after the dieta? I would recommend staying around for at least a couple days, and allow yourself some rest before you venture out. If your schedule doesn't allow that kind of leisure, just make sure to secure a good source of food, rather than being subject to the food you will likely find on the road!
Give my blessings to Orlando.
Unfortunately the schedule does not allow for that :( I will be leaving Tarapoto swiftly, but will have a days rest in Lima before tour departs. But I will take your advice and make sure I can bring a good source of food with me afterward! That's a useful tip, thank you! 26th, I leave 24th, maybe I should bring him a birthday gift :) My diet is pretty strict as a general rule of healthy living, I don't consume any processed sugars or add any salt to anything (the only sugar I would pick up in my diet would be natural sugars from fruits) Your feedback has been valuable and I'm thankful for that! I will tell him that you say hello :) And once I come back from my travels I will add some content to my blog and that way you can see how I got on! ... Thanks again!
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ReplyDeleteThis looks very rugged, but incredible. Did you have to use Peruvian money as payment or is US currency good? Did you fly in to the nearest city and then take a bus or boat to get to his village? How many times did you go to ceremony during your long stay? I assume when you mean "go to ceremony" it was an ayahuasca experience. Sorry for so many questions, but I to am planning a trip here and am gathering as much information as possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you
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ReplyDeleteHi Mike or Gerjus30 -- can anyone of you tell me, how much did you pay Orlando, and how many weeks was that for ? Did it include accommodation etc., and what else ? Also, what currency did you pay him in ? Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteFAO Danny & Madsax: Orlando accepts US Dollars. However make sure you use new notes as worn or damaged US Dollars are not accepted in Peru due to the high rate of counterfeit money in circulation. You simply fly in to Tarapoto (it's only a one hour flight from Lima) and from there Orlando will transport you to the centre via car then a boat ride. Orlando charges $1000 per week. That includes food, accommodation etc. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteHi, I hope you're still monitoring this thread. I couldn't find an e-mail to message you directly.
ReplyDeleteI have a session booked with Orlando in May. I had a few basic questions that may sound silly but I would like to be prepared.
-Just heading there straight from a big western city. What are some basic things I really should be sure to bring? I've never been to any jungle and have no idea of what may be obvious supplies.
-What are the living accommodations like? This wasn't shared in your photos.
-What happens when you need to purge from the 'other end' in an Ayahuasca session? Do you have to run outside into a bush? Do you have a bucket for that? Can you even manage on your own in that state?.. Just wondering how that's all set up, nobody ever mentions it in experience reports..
-Is there any other tips you can give for someone about to go through that same adventure without a clue?
Bring light rain gear and protection for your luggage; thin long sleeve shirts, long socks, pants, shorts, bathing suit, tennis shoes. If you are doing a dieta, you will be in a traditional "tambo"- a simple A-frame structure in the jungle outfitted with a bed, mosquito net and hammock.
ReplyDeleteAs for the other-ended purge, there is a bathroom near the ceremony building. Most people can manage the walk on their own, others may need assistance. don't hesitate to ask, in any case ;) and Don't be embarassed if you wake up the next morning finding yourself soiled- it's rare, but it does happen ;)
as for tips regarding your stay, the dieta will be challenging- simple food (rice, plantains, potatoes). Just know that once you open the dieta, it is important to finish it in full, providing your in good health.Also, allow yourself a couple days to reintegrate post-dieta, so you can keep your diet clean and make a steady transition back into your life.
Orlando is an honest man. He speaks very little english- just enough to successfully facilitate your experience. His center is rustic- no electricity and simple accommodations.
Finally, know that the dieta is less about Ayahuasca and more about the dieta- you will be drinking other plant medicine during your period of isolation in the jungle, with Ayahuasca ceremonies to open and close your diet. Sometimes Orlando will offer Aya to drink alone in your tambo for a night during your dieta. The plant medicines taken during your dieta facilitates a thorough cleansing of your mind/body, which can allow for the more profound effects of Ayahuasca to take place.
Salud,
Justin G.
Thanks so much my friend! Really appreciate that you keep and maintain this review for those following the same trail.
DeleteI'll be sure to come back with any further questions, and if all goes well, a post-experience report later too.
Thank you so much for sharing all this information. I am visiting Orlando in December and most of the questions you answered were things I was not sure about.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you in your mind body spirit now?
ReplyDelete