A Russian, Chilean, Peruvian, and Italian Walk Into A Bar…

 



A Russian, Chilean, Peruvian, and Italian Walk Into A Bar…

Hello beautiful people,

We have made it to our next destination in the Sacred Valley of Peru, nestled between the beautiful Andes mountains. At 9,600 feet elevation in the valley with 360 degrees of surrounding mountains, this place is truly a dream. We arrived after a 7 hour flight, 20 minute taxi ride, and 90 minute bumpy bus ride to find ourselves in this gorgeous valley. We have officially learned that in South America, the beautiful places to be are never straightforward or easy to get to. But so worth it! 

Our next location, seated on the side of an hill overlooking the valley, is a small plot of land with a garden, greenhouse, duck pond, and chickens. Our host is an American, who moved here about 15 years ago. He is a business man, astrologer, super conspiracy-theorist, and lover of gardening. Interesting dude, but we are soaking in all his unique perspectives. We are staying in the volunteer/guest-house along with 5 other men (story of my life this trip). There is a Chilean, Peruvian, Italian, and Russian, and we are quite the eclectic bunch. We have enjoyed getting to talk with these people from around the world, learning about their life experiences, their countries, and their perspectives. We have come to find out that 3 out of these 4 guys have been traveling/nomads for the last 10 years, and don’t have any plans to stop. Our Russian friend once went barefoot for 4 years and also hasn’t had a bank account in 10 years. The other guys sell jewelry or other items to make enough for their next bus ticket to the next location. Crazyyyyy lives. 

Here in the Sacred Valley, there are a lot of foreigners who have moved here. We have been told that the Sacred Valley sucks you in and makes you want to stay. The nature and energy here are truly so unique and beautiful to other places we have stayed on our journey. We are staying in a small town called Calca, which seems to be minimally touristy and more authentic. Women are walking around in their skirts and hats, carrying their kids on their backs in a wrap. There is a lot of farming on a small scale around the town, with lots of potato and quinoa. Everything is very very cheap here, primarily the food. We are close by to Macchu Picchu, but in general there are lots of ruins and hikes to see around this area. 

Our schedule here includes working from 8am-12pm during the weekdays and having the afternoons and weekends off. We get a certain amount of money each week for food. So, we are pretty much on our own after work and for meals, which is a refreshing change of pace after the last two places. It has been lovely to have more time for mediation, journaling, reading, yoga, walking/hiking during the afternoons. We are enjoying getting to re-focus on spirituality a bit and exploring other opportunities around this place. 

6 months into our travels with countless experiences. Still taking it month by month and feeling out where the next right spot for us is. We miss everyone so much! Call us, text us, beep us if you want to reach us.

Con amor, 

Abby y Connor 


6 months of traveling, still smiling 

Look at those Andes!

Casa Girasol (sunflower) - our new home

First night eating out…chicken feet soup


Ducks in the garden

Our terrace, overlooking the valley



Our Peruvian friend’s jewelry business 

Making some aloe vera fertilizer for the garden

I mean…this view!

Walking downtown to the Saturday market



Tons and tons of chickens, guinea pigs, bunnies
 you can purchase for like 50 cents

Me selecting some avocados from the market

Our new roomies



Alpacas on leashes…we aren’t in Argentina anymore


Attended a cacao and gong ceremony 
in this beautiful space - magical!

Adobe mud houses in this small community

Went out to lunch with new friends after our gong ceremony

Small buses are very common here throughout the valley; 
Connor didn’t make the cut for a seat

A day working in the garden

MORE banana bread by Mama Dru - this one was my best yet!

Peep the rainbow! <3 



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