First day of Spring in Cusco ... apparently

Sunday ... what a spectacular day!!!

We'd heard about a festival at Sacsayhuaman ... not sure that we got to that one, buut this was definitely one of those 'special' moments. Milka came home one night from Tourism class talking about an event in the Valley of the Moon ... somewhere near Qenko. Details were sketchy ... except 5.30am. Another trip to this area of the valley ... in the early morning was certainly appealing to Lex and I ... so all agreed - not only would we be there, but we would buy an Andian tree the day before for a special tree planting ceremony at Sacsayhuaman. No one figured on the late night of social darts at Mark and Cecilia's the night before.... ;-(

But we were up early ... caught a taxi (a driver with some supposed knowledge of the place) ... and were eventually deposited somewhere in the hills. Not many people in sight ... but the arrival of a few others walking along, carrying small trees gave us hope that we were in the right place.

Lex and I felt very privileged to be included with a small group of locals in this ceremony. Most of the ceremony was in Quechan, with an occasional explanation in Spanish ... so we had little hope of understanding anything. We go the idea it was a tribute to Pachamama (Mother Earth). There was also a purification (cleansing) ceremony - involving smoke -

From Peru 2 - 2009

ridding the body of all bad thoughts and making a wish for the future. (maybe that's off the mark - but it was an incredible feeling to not only be there ... but to be welcomed there and included by those conducting the event). The surroundings added to the magic of the moment.

We followed along with the group to Sacsayhuaman with drums beating

From Peru 2 - 2009

(past an accident scene involving a bus and a car - first accident we've seen here, amazingly, considering the road and the vehicles ... and the drivers). Some sections we had walked previously with Jeff, Jill and our friend ... but at times we went down back lanes, and into the back entry to Sacsayhuaman, where the tree planting ceremony took place. Much ritual with all of this - in Quechan again. We all were asked to select 3 + 2 coca leaves - similar significance to the smoke... put your wishes into the coca leaves - which were placed carefully into the bottom of a hole. Then all the items which were part of the ceremony were placed into the hole (including the ceramic containers) .... flower petals, seeds, water, and lots more we didn't understand .... as well as chocolate, red wine, apple!!!

From Peru 2 - 2009

Everyone was invited to cover these items with some soil, and then our trees were blessed with some special water.

And then we planted our trees.

Lex was in his element ... sitting in a hole, covered in dirt with Sacsayhuaman in the background - what a treat!! By this stage, Zac and Milka had ducked away, leaving Lex and I with a group of Quechan and Spanish speaking locals.... and we were very comfortable with it too.

From Peru 2 - 2009