Although we are getting a few warm, sunny days, it’s still a cold winter here, perfect for quiet contemplation. I’m still writing my new book, except for when I’m writing a Surf Report. This is such a strong time for looking at everything ~ the state of the world and our personal journeys ~ and feeling everything with a new perspective. Asking, “Where do we go from here?” on both a personal and planetary level.
On August 1st, we celebrated the Day of Pachamama ~ which is the beginning of the Andean New Year. Emanaku, Pedro, Percy, Alexander and I scattered yellow pika pika confetti throughout the land and made offerings of wine to Pachamama and the Apus. This year, Pachamama’s presence was felt more strongly than ever before. She felt very happy that we were honoring her.
Today we had a breakthrough! German and a crew of four arrived to finish work on the canal system for our vegetable garden. This is after an unexpected hiatus of one month. At this newly quickened pace, it should be finished by the end of next week. And for the past week, Pedro and his son Percy have been taking out all the grass in the area of the garden and replacing it with special grass for the alpacas.
The Alpacas of AN are a constant delight. They are becoming so friendly and totally melt our hearts. They have such sweetness and are so smart, (except for when they occasionally eat our flowers!) They are the ultimate definition of LOVABLENESS. Depending on the weather, Emanaku might go get some more this weekend.
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We had a huge snow in the nearby Apus. The snow was the largest one we have seen here.
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Fortunately, the snow doesn’t come all the way down to the Valley, but it’s close enough for it to be chilly here.
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I really love visiting with the Alpacas of AN. They are so lovable!
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Rainy Day Alpacas!
We have had several heavy rains during the past few weeks, which is good for all the plants. Fortunately, the alpacas seem to like the rain, even though they do get very dirty for a few days.
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Visiting them in the rain. Nima is definitely the Queen Alpaca and is ever watchful of the crias. She is deeply attuned to the energies of AN.
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Herding the dirty, wet alpacas back to their Alpaca•Wasi in the late afternoon. Even with the rain, it’s a lot warmer and drier here than in their mountain home.
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There have been a few more heavy snows in Pedro’s village of Yanamayo. ❤
Photo by Pedro.
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Some of Pedro’s family in the snow. We’re so happy that some of his crias (baby alpacas) are with us during this strong winter. And we love being an alpaca refuge!
Photo by Pedro.
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Just for context…. Here’s the snow on our Apu above the Heart of AN.
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Emanáku attended another early Sunday morning meeting of the local Water Association. He loves the opportunity to interact with our neighbors, as well as seeing new, early morning, views of the surrounding mountains.
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During the water meeting, the clouds parted and this stunning vista was revealed!
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On a rainy day, the alpacas once again visited our house.
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Here they are in the area where we do the 11:11 and AN Mudras!
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An Eye in the Sky.
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The Full Moon brought a large Moonbow which filled the sky above our house.
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We love it when the canals around the Tower of AN are full of water.
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It becomes so magical when the canals are running. That’s when the Tower of AN literally becomes an Island of Light!
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Absolutely Adorable Alpacas behind our house! Fortunately, they weren’t at all interested in eating our laundry
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Here they are on the side of the house, enjoying the abundant grass.
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Again, sweet No’e approached the door of our house. I would love to invite them all inside, but Emanaku doesn’t think it’s a good idea. (And he’s probably right!)
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Emanaku is making lots of videos of the alpacas and other aspects of life at the Heart of AN.
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Super, Off the Map Cuteness at the Tower of AN!
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Look at those irresistably adorable faces, especially the little one to the left of Nima who kept looking at me with so much love.
Here they are in Alpaca•Wasi for the night. On warm nights, we open the door to their house and give them the choice of sleeping inside or outside.
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The first of August is el Dia de Pachamama ~ the Day of Mother Earth. As we do every year, we prepare to make offerings to Pachamama of yellow pika pika confetti and wine ~ which are sprinkled all over the land. The rocks especially love having pika pika on them.
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This year we were joined by Percy, Alexander and Pedro!
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Pedro, Percy, Emanaku and Alexander put pika pika all around the perimeters of the land.
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Tawa and Nima watched us from their favorite haven inside the Octagon. They probably think that we built it specially for them!
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I apologize for so many alpaca photos, but they are soooo precious. Can you imagine being around such sweetness every day?
The alpacas are a strong component of our every day reality at the Heart of AN and strongly anchor the New Reality of AN.
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The Tower of AN was the last place to receive pika pika and as you can see, it got a lot!
We all had a lot of fun honoring Pachamama and Pachamama’s loving presence felt very strong this year.
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In the early evening Pedro arrived at our house with his wife, Cecilia, plus Alexander and his twin sister Anna Paméla. Rather spontaneously, we started playing music with Tibetan singing bowls & ting shaws, as well as the Drums of the North & South and the Drums of AN.
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Then we walked over to the Tower of AN with some Drums of AN and a pututu (conch shell trumpet).
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Soon, Percy and Cachorro joined us.
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It was super cute to see Alexander with his twin sister.