Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground

Thursday October 30, 2025

Thursday morning dawned bright and beautiful. It was a great beginning for our bus trip to Ancasmarca, an archeological site on a mountain of 5,198 metres. The name is of Quechua origin, meaning blue village, or village of eagles. The part we were visiting was referred to as the blue balcony.

By the time we arrived there, the sky was overcast and a strong wind from the wes was blowing across the rough landscape. The path was narrow and uneven in places and there were no guard or handrails. The views were literally breathtaking and once we reached the summit we were greeted by six paqos: three female and three male including Wilbert. Each of us received a kintu created from three coca leaves and the red, white and yellow petals of carnations held together with a mixture of llama fat and honey. We were asked to blow our wishes and prayers into the kintus before they were placed in the Despacho that was being created by the Paqos. The Despacho is created by the Paqos as an offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (the sacred mountains). In return, we ask for healing, blessings, love and wisdom. The Despacho is always very carefully prepared from the best quality items using the elements of Llankay ( work or energy) Munay (unconditional love) and Yachay (knowledge). They are very artistic in concept, design and execution with many different types used for different situations. A note on one of the plants pictured below: the Hummingbird Vine or Trumpet Creeper was growing out of a small niche high up on the craggy summit of the mountain. The determination of Mother Nature!

Once the Despacho ceremony was concluded, the six Paqos stood in a circle with me in the middle and thus began the ceremony of my transformation into a Paqo healer. I don’t remember all the details but I was completely transfixed from the top my head to the soles of my feet by the transference of energy. It was like a lightning bolt – and yes, I have been in the close vicinity of lightning bolts twice in my life. The return trip to the bus down the mountain was literally a breeze totally free from my fear of heights. Incidentally, there was a black labrador type of dog meeting each one of us on the return journey and accompanying us as far as the two guards near the entrance. At the entrance is a tiny village with washroom facilities, souvenirs and bottled water for sale. There are also tourist trap photo opportunities hanging over the edge of the gorge.

And then it was time for the return trip to Urubamaba. On the way, we stopped for coffee and a snack in the town of Calca. In the centre of the town square is an amusement park dedicated to children. Around it, the jacaranda trees were in full bloom.

Back at the hotel, I had a chance to connect with the resident llama. And then it was time for dinner!

A SPECIAL INVITATION

As a finale to our last full day in the Sacred Valley, I am extending an invitation to you and through you an opportunity to put to use the knowledge and energy I have received during this trip.

Feel free to contact me for a healing/cleansing session through this blog or by email, jamesa49@gmail.com or by text or call at 514-594-2055. I’m also on WhatsApp at the same number. My next step is to share what I have been given.

There’s one more post to come. In parting for today, here are a few more flower shots.