Padre Cocha and Iquitos

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Dear Dear friends, This journey so far is filled with wonder at the incredible profusion of life in the Amazon as well as immense poverty and rubbish. I am currently inTarapoto for a day before I go to Monte Ingles. Being away from the Amazon really gives me a good perspecitive about how intense it is there. Just imagine the huge amount of energy that is the jungle. the plants the animals the river. Now throw a large city in the middle of it and throw in corporate irresponsibility. Mototaxis. Poverty.Then consider there is no where to put the trash. Oh and add magic. viola, you have Iquitos.

it is the place to learn about the healing practices of the Amazon jungle. There is too much to learn in a short trip like mine of course, but i feel like a sponge! Claire is teaching me some and Kellee has introduced me to a family that has connections with currenderos in the Padre Cocha area. When I get back there I will be ready to start following up on these leads.

I loved the Belen market and got my mapacho, palo santo in bulk, a bottle of protection you sit in your alter. I got that from a lovely woman who creates her own medicinal brews (only 10 soles). I would like to go and spend more time with her as well! Tap her font of plant information. I will be needing an interpreter for some of these interactions....luckily they aren't very expensive to hire. Claire is very helpful as well.

I am in Tarapoto but I am not going to tell you how wonderful itodd until I can show you the amazing photos of the place and The awashIyaku falls I swam under, cleansing and giving offerings and gratitude to the water before my retreat.talk to you all in a couple ofweeks!

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Photos

Iquitos sculpture
along the boulevard overlooking teh Amazon River

protestor
during a protest to hold corporations accountable for their impact on teh Amazon

protest march
many peole are interested in bringing better education and responsibility to the area

tribal representatives
there were four tribes present at teh protest. they also brought their pueblo food to share with people.

gathering to march
the minister of culture was there as well to assist the march. He said local government needed to change to protect the people and their home

In Padre Cocha
out for a walk

This rare monkey is very curious
At pilpintuwasi they have rescued animals who are not able to go back to teh wild and a huge butterfly house. this teen girl monkey is very curious

Teen girl monkeys love flowers
because I was alone at the palapa i was able to hang out with the monkeys and tehy came to play with me.

Jaguar
when this jaguar was a cub it ws rescued form a small box where it was kept in a market in Iquitos

pocket monkeys
the smallest and very mischeivious monkeys

chrysalis
these butterflies are put on this board to hatch at the butterly breding house

one of many!
Gudren is committd to helping the butterflies and animals at the refuge. She has 23 species of butterflies in her care

Three medicine women
Need a healing, a treatment, massage, art therapy, life caoching, or a card reading? these are your gals.. Kellee, Claire and Robin

sorry, no sex
just in case you needed to know.. this restaurant does not serve sex

Tarapoto
my room in Tarapoto at La Patarushca hotel. a sweet interlude before I dive into the next part of my journey

from my balcony
this is where the obnoxiously early call of the house parrot and random rooster live. if <i find either, <i may not be very nice

A beautiful painting in the lounge
<i love this painting! the artist didnt sign it but <i may be able to find it from the owner.