We live in a small town called
Harin in the Sacred Valley. The name of our house is
Cusi Wasi, which means Happy House in the native language of Quechua. We average about 20 to 30 people at a time and have spilled over into another house as well as
Cusi Wasi.
Cusi Wasi remains the cultural center though, while the other house is mostly just bunks. We offer workshops in music, circus and
artesanías to the neighborhood kids every Saturday morning, though many of them stop by throughout the week to hang out and play. There are frequently workshops for all of us as well. We get many travellers passing through who are more than happy to share their talents and knowledge, as well as a handful of more
permanent residents with lots to teach as well. In the past few weeks there have been workshops in acrobatics, silks, body percussion, theater, and clown. Always fun, always well attended.
Most of our time is spent around the house, working on various projects, reading, writing, playing music, and juggling. The man downstairs makes cheese and yogurt to sell, and we can buy milk straight from the cow, just up the path to the main road. The view from all sides of the house (the entire valley really) is an amazing backdrop for anything you want to do. There are some amazing peaks in the valley behind the house, and a lovely trail to the top that follows a small river up to a high waterfall. We went up there the past view nights to bask in the moonlight and enjoy the view. It´s just so beautiful here, and the locals all say that when Spring gets here, it will be even better. All of the empty fields will be tall with corn and the mountains and valley will sparkle, lush and green.
When we´re not at the house, we visit the other, larger local towns, to shop the various markets, check out the
Internet, or eat some cheap and delicious food. We´
ve also been able to go on a number of magnificent hikes that end in
Incan ruins. There are ruins all over, though only a handful are overly
touristed. One of our friends grew up in the valley and knows many of the trails and secret ways into ruins to avoid the frequently overpriced entry fee. We have yet to try the secret way into
Machu Picchu, but its coming.
Life is easy, life is good. A circus tent has been purchased and should arrive later this month, and plans to take this budding circus on the road are in the works as well. A bus could be purchased as soon as January for a tour of South America.
This is a great place to be. There is a lot of power in this valley, a lot of very positive energy, and all of us are piggybacking onto it and enjoying the ride. Sharing, and learning, and growing together. And with probably close to 15 countries represented (sometimes more) we´re
privileged with perspectives from all sides, though take great joy in how similar our values actually are and the way in which we choose to lead our lives. Well, I guess we´re all still trying to figure that one out, but it´s nice to do it together. Even if it is slow. We´
ve got time.
