Following the Andes
I flew from Auckland to Santiago, on the 19th of September. I was embarking on another journey, this time following the Earths Kundalini, in its new place. After reading books that had been recently published, and researching how it had shifted to the Andes Mountains. This knowledge once I had read it, wouldn’t leave me be, and so I found myself setting off again.
One of the books is by Drunvalo Melchizedek, that references the sacred event that takes place every 13,000 years. ‘Serpent of Light: Beyond 2012 – The Movement of the Earth’ s Kundalini and the Rise of the Female Light’. Is the name of the book. It speaks of the Earths Kundalini energy emerging from its resting place in the planet’s core. And moving like a snake across the surface of our world. Its movements from ancient Lemuria, to finding a home in Atlantis. Then moving on to the Himalayan mountains of India and Tibet. This time, he describes the “Serpent of Light” has moved to the Andes Mountains of Chile and Peru. Incorporating the Mayan prophesies. (More at the end of this post)
Another book, The Gaia Effect, published in 2013 also reflected about this earth energetic shift, and with similar prophesies. Written by Monika Muranyi and Lee Carroll (Kryon).
And so this was the start of a journey I had mapped out, that followed this line. Up through and following the Andes in Chile, into Peru. And then on wards to sacred sites in Bolivia, Mexico, America and Hawaii. I felt guided to take this serpent path, starting in Santiago. This was quite a big journey with the twists. Covering a lot of distance, taking me to many places and many bus rides! I had recently started speaking Light Language whilst back in New Zealand. And so this journey also included this aspect.
Santiago
Arriving in Santiago around midday. Today was a day of celebration, it was Chilean day. But the buses and trains were a bit out of kilter. Weary eyed after the flight, so oblivious to it. Set on getting to my destination. I was to stay with Sofia and her daughter, Celeste. Sofia is Chilean and I had met her when she was studying in Dunedin. Her flat was at Quirihue, Nunoa. Taking a bus and trains from the airport to Irarrazaval Metro Station, and then a taxi from there. Sofia had kindly left an envelope with some keys for me. But I was a bit wired, and failed to read which flat the keys were for. So it took me ages of trying random doors! Jet-lag does strange things with brains. I finally worked it out, and happily curled up inside and went to sleep. Meeting with Sofia when she got home later.
Sofia took me to her local supermarket, she introduced me to Palmitos. Which she ate from a can, I brought these quite a lot on my trip and enjoyed them. These are vegetable, also known as hearts of palm. The edible inner core or bud of certain species of palm trees.
In Santiago, I went to Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, both next to each other. With great architecture and many different artworks to behold. It took a short while to get used to the street dogs in Chile. Central Santiago was my first experience of this. The dogs seemed fine and are just doing their thing. In less affluent places in Chile they didn’t look so good sometimes which is hard to see.
In Barrio Brasil, there is vibrant street art, with crumbling old fashioned houses, and outdoor markets. And Sofia took me to the markets one day. Sofia’s friend was staying at her family house in Barrio Brazel. I was invited along with her friends and it was a nice day. It was a really cool house, and nice to step inside and see how the locals live.
21 Sept, I walked up Cerro San Cristobal, with sweeping views over Santiago. With a snowy white 14 m statue of the Virgin de la Immaculada Concepsion, towering atop the cumber (summit). It was a bit of a hike but worth it, I wanted to be on that spot for the Equinox.
Sofias flat had a lovely bohemian vibe, and I rested a lot when I was in Santiago. I got to know the local area with many walks and finding shady spots. It took longer than I thought it would, to get myself jump started heading away on the next part. I am very thankful to Sofia and Celeste, for the opportunity to stay with them.
Valparaisio
23 Sept, it was time to leave Santiago, and I was ready. I bussed to Valparaisio which is about two hours. I stayed one night at Hostal Caracol, in Bellavista Street. ‘Pablo Neruda said it best, Valparaiso, how absurd you are… you haven’t combed your hair, you’ve never had time to get dressed, life has always surprised you’. (Lonely Planet).
You see colorful street art and murals everywhere here, wandering, and meandering up and down the winding hills of Valparaiso. A maze of steep streets alleys and escaleras (stairways), and crumbling mansions. It was a sunny day and I wandered around this Port City.
La Serena
24 Sept, I bussed to the coastal town of La Serena, and stayed two nights at a hostel on Vicuna. I went to Museo Arqueologico, and was drawn in and captivated by the the Easter Island statue that was there. I ended up spending a lot of time with this statue, and quietly speaking LL. And then I went to the beach, to the light house. It was quite a long walk there and back, I had thought it was going to be closer! Had a fish dish that was very delicious at a small local restaurant. The next day I went for a massage from a blind woman, as was recommended by the hotel. Unfortunately I found I was freezing cold! But it did help me unwind of course.
Vicuna
Then caught a bus to Vicuna, on the 26th. One night, went to along to Obervatorio Cerro Mamalluca, for a two hour astrological tour. It is 9 km Southeast of Vicuna, with a 30 cm telescope. It was a clear night, and I had never seen the stars like I saw them up that hill. With a very funny Chilean guide, for extra spice, and meeting others on the tour. The highlight was that we saw Saturn and its rings through the telescope. Though very tiny, it was amazing to see! And also Venus and the star clusters, all making for a great night.
Staying at Hostel Valle Hermoso, on Gabriela Mistral. With a nice room to myself, and the woman that ran it was very friendly. Lonely planet says about the Hostel, ‘Eight airy and immaculately clean rooms around a sun-drenched patio inside and old adobe casona – with Oregon pine beams and walnut floors’.
‘The spirit of Gabriela Mistrals somnambulist poetry seeps from every pore of snoozy little Vicuna. Just 62 km east of La Serena. This is the easiest base from which to delve deeper into the Elqui Valley. The town itself, with its low key plaza and lyrical air and compact dwellings’ (Lonely Planet). In Vicuna I went to Chaski for dinner and wandered around a wee bit. The town felt nice and calm after being in bigger cities.
Cochiguaz
Centro Magnetica
The Elqui Valley, known for its new age communes and cutting edge observatories. I wanted to go this place when I found about the magnetic centre, or centro magnetica in Spanish.
27th Sept, I got a bus to Montegrande, through the Elqui Valley. I met a guy called Rob, an Englishman whom was looking for his dog. Which I think the locals find kind of loco, as in Chile the dogs all run wild, free and unrestricted. I asked him if he was going to Cochiquaz, on the off chance. As the bus doesn’t go there, only as far as Montegrande. He dropped me at the start of the road to Cochiquaz, which was very close. I had researched and knew this was my only way in, to hitch a ride with a friendly local. And so Cynthia Conrads pulled up. She took me to her mothers place on the way. She and her comrade were dropping off bags full of horse manure. So we stopped in and she showed me around this wondrous hostel called ‘Albaricoque Cochiquaz’. It was not open at the moment, it was next to the river and right next to a mountain. I found there was an amazing energy at one place. I did some LL and described to her what it was, she was interested. She was lovely, and we swapped addresses on the drop off just up the road from Spa Cochiquaz,
According to Lonely Planet, ‘New Age Capital of Northern Chile, the secluded valley of Cochiquaz is accredited with an extraordinary concentration of cosmic vibes. A vortex of powerful energies much publicised UFO sightings and formidable healing powers. But you needn’t be a believer to enjoy the beautiful valley’.
And so I found my way to Cochiquaz. I stayed at a place I would highly recommend called Spa Cochiquaz. It was slightly above my normal price ranging. But with three vegetarian meals included each day (with entree and desert). I had booked in online, and lo and behold. With lucky fate it just happened to be at the foot of the sacred mountain – Cancana. Enjoying a large lunch, afterwards I went for a rest, as was really tired. Listening to the wind, as the wind picks up every afternoon. Then I was very late for dinner as I didn’t know the time, but they served me kindly. The staff at the spa were kind. When I was leaving they wanted me to leave a big message in the visitors book, even if in English. They were all very helpful and delightful. It was just what I needed, I felt safe and well looked after. I could take my herbs properly, (I was taking chinese herbs brought from NZ) and ended up staying three nights.
Cochiquaz is also known as the magnetic centre, which used to be in Tibet – but it has shifted. This is why I went there. A guy at the hostal in La Serena said that if you drill a hole through Tibet. It ends up in Cochiquaz.
I went to a really good yoga class at the spa the next morning. Run by a local named Alex, and there was just the two of us. I felt renewed and refreshed afterwards. Then a woman called Roxanna dropped by and asked if I wanted to come up the mountain, yes OK!
So, we started scuttling up the mountain, but we went, not on the camino (track) so much, but straight up! Well we zig-zagged really. But it was quite full-on and not for the faint-hearted. But after a good sleep, meditation and one on one yoga, I was ready! Marseilles (one of the staff) had some water at the top. Well not really ‘the top’ as such, but a point that was quite high up. He was abseiling and with his girlfriend Cynthia (whom also works at the Spa). This mountain is the magnetic centre, so determination got me up there and determination got me back down. I did a lot of sliding on my tush, as it was the easiest way back down. So, I made it! I did some LL up where we were, whilst the others were abseiling. I lay under/on rocks and did some voice toning and connecting with the energies of the Monte. And so I was late for lunch. But they said ‘we will serve you’ as they knew we had been up the Monte.
On the way back down we went past a place that I felt strong energy. I was told by the others it was a Mayan Ceremonial site. And so I was determined to get back up there, which I did a few days later.
On the 29th, I had not slept very well. But whilst meditating in the morning, it came to me that I had to go to the rock. I had seen it from above the day before. And heard it was an ancient Inca place, and had carvings. So, I found out how to get there, it was not far and I went there before lunch. The name of this rock is Piedra del Guanaco. It was a short walk to the Acienda House. Where I was told to ask for Carmen; to ask for permission to walk on their land to the rock. When approaching the casa, there were three dogs barking. I did LL which seemed to be describing why I was there. Two of them lay and down and were quiet as I walked past up the drive. The third one, a beagle seemed to be shaking and scared and hid behind a chair! It was barking a small bit under its breath, but otherwise fine.
I introduced myself to Carmen and asked for permission. She brought me to the entrance, to the clearing where it is. I was there by myself for a good few hours. It seemed to be that was working with the ley lines. I was guided to go right around it. Working with certain spots, before I felt like I could approach the rock. I meditated underneath it. And toned near it. There were rock carvings clearly on the rock, the figures looked like llamas. Then back for lunch, and resting in the afternoon.
On the last morning there on the 30th. It was time to go to the Mayan Ceremonial site up the Monte again. I went by myself, after meditation and breakfast at about 10.30, after deciding to stay for lunch there at the Spa before leaving the valley. I scaled up, staying on the caminos this time, where I could find them. And did LL and stayed there until I felt the ease. When I was climbing the mountain. I was laughing to myself. My star sign is Capricorn, the mountain goat. But alas, luckily I don’t climb many mountains, I’m that good at.
Before I left Cochiquaz, I enquired with Roxanna whether it was possible for a chakra clearing. The session was powerful and really helped, she gifted it to me with kindness. What a place to get a healing, and your chakras sorted for now, at the magnetic centre! It was very valuable, she said that two chakras were closed. The crown chakra and the sacral chakra, everything else was fine. That made sense, the sacral chakra especially. I was going to Lake Titicaca later in this trip, and that Lago relates to this chakra. She also gifted me a flower essence.
I saw hummingbirds, I saw a Condor flying from sitting on the mountain – Cancana – Monte. It had felt like a good sign.
Then after the session, it was goodbye hugs to the staff, and I gave some of them some LL. And then a taxi took me back to Montegrande. Where I got a bus to La Serena, for an overnight 18.50 bus to Callama.
Callama
30th Sept, one the worst movies ever made was being shown on the overnight bus. I decided to stay in Callama and catch up with a friend called Sophia. It was a weird day as I was overtired. With lots of hanging out at the bus station, as Sophia was working. She picked me up after work, and she brought me to her casa. Meeting her Chilean partner , and her wee boy Luciano, who took a shine to me and vice versa. I had met Sophia in Dunedin, and she is also a painter. It was nice to have a bit of a rest before going on. Sophia took me and the little one on a bit of tour one day. To Chiu Chiu town and to an interesting ruins complex near there. Callama, I remember at the time, had a lot of stray dogs.
San Pedro de Atacama
Lonely Planet, describing this place, ‘they say the high quantities of quartz and copper in the region gives their people positive vibes and the good vibes of northern Chiles number one tourist draw San Pedro de Atacama (elevation 2438) are sky high. Spectacular scenery’.
I may have stayed at Hostel Sonchek. When I arrived off the bus, although it was a short walk to the main street there. I was alas, a bit lost. A man cycling past on his bike helped me out with advice and instant friendliness. Gonzalo was his name.
I enjoyed going to the Meteorite Museum (Museo del meteorito) also. Hosting the largest collection of meteorites in the world, that have fallen in the Atacama desert. I brought a small bit of meteorite.
And went on a few day tours. The tour assistant booking me in was a kiwi lass, whom Gonzalos had directed me to. She set me straight, and so I booked a tour or two. The main street there is Calle Caracoles. I met a couple from England at the hostel, Rosie and Lee. And I ended up staying with them years later in London.
The first day trip was to Valle Dela Luna – Moon Valley. The valley is famous for its resemblance to the surface of the moon. Owing to its different stratifications and the salt formations.
A high mountain range can be seen, known as the Cordillera de Domeyko. Whose peak is Kimal, (4,278m above sea level) Sala de Atacama, where I was is 2,300m above sea level. Also seen there is the Andean Mountain Range, which is made up of a plateau and a chain of volcanoes.
The Three Maries, are formations resulted from intense erosion processes. They are composed of gravel, clay, salt, gems and quartz. At approximately one million years old.
The Indigenous Association of the Moon Valley consists of six communities, together with CONAF, the National Forest Corporation. Both co-manage “Los Flamencos National Reserve”. In charge of protecting the renewable natural resources of these ancestral territories. While at the same time caring for the natural and cultural heritage of the communities.
I met with the group for the day, and we met our guide. And we were taken in a van to various spots in the Valley. And then when the sun was going down, at the Panoramic View point. We visited the Three Maries “Tres Marias”
And the next day it was another tour. This time to the Salt… The Sala de Atacama, where we also visited lagoons. Swimming in water with high salt content, meant you can float easily. And then later to a spot where the colours change beautifully when the sun goes down. The temperature drops quickly then too. After the tour I went out with some of the people I had met that day.
Arica
Catching the overnight bus from San Pedro de Atacama, I had a lot of trouble with my ears coming through. In Arica I stayed at Sunny Days Hostel, on Tomas Arvena, in a dorm room. The New Zealand owner and Chilean partner, provided a fantastic free breakfast. Whilst there, I walked to Point El Morro.
Buses in Chile, at the time were either Turbus or Pullman, I caught mainly Turbus. I did a lot of bussing in Chile! Both of these bus companies delivered an excellent service. The buses were it seemed, much better than the ones I caught in America. If you look at a map of Chile you will see it is a long thin country. So it can be quite a while on a bus. I remember being on one over night bus. And as night was falling, the conductor came around and put a blanket on each of us. I swear he kind of tucked it under my chin and I felt like I was being tucked in! Hospitality plus.
9th October, from Arica, crossing over the border to Peru, together with a woman from the hostel. In a shared collectivo taxi with five of us in the car. She was going shopping in Tacna, which is a border Peruvian city. She was off to update her wardrobe with some new jeans and things. I really wasn’t there to go shopping, so we said goodbye at the bus station. I booked on the next bus to Arequipa, Peru.
Kundalini Movement
“Life may seem to be business as usual, but it is not. We are changing fast… Remember this for life is going to present stranger things to you in your lifetime, and they all have meaning and purpose… Only Mother Earth and ancient Maya know what’s going to happen.”
From the book, ‘Serpent of Light: Beyond 2012’ – The Movement of the Earth’s Kundalini and the Rise of the Female Light, 1949 to 2013. by Drunvalo Melchizedek.
“And with every relocation changed our idea of what spiritual means. And gender. And heart. This time, with much difficulty, the “Serpent of Light” has moved to the Andes Mountains of Chile and Peru”.
With Ease 