The history of Eternal Spring weathered Vilcabmba is as colourful as the characters who currently inhabit this supposedly sacred space. Yes, I have to agree that Vilcabmba has a strong call and attractive energy for those who dance to different tunes, a strong vortex which draws out the most polarised of personalities. With that comes everyone’s ideas and opinions on what should be done with this slice of paradise. Rivers, waterfalls and massive gullies filled withMother Nature’s finest, set the scene for what turns out to be one of the most touching places and spaces I have come across in our travels. It’s not perfect, but what is? I ask myself, as I watch a large group of Ecuadorian weekend tourists camp out next to a low flowing river, which doubles up as a black hole where rubbish is thrown, magically disappearing downstream into out- of- sight oblivion.
At sunset later that same day, downstream on the same river, I see a Rainbow Child uniform- wearing group of Vilcabamba hippies carrying out a cleansing ritual, while I am trying to wrap my head around a conspiracy theory about governments trying to depopulate humanity.
Stacey Joy, Vinyasa Yogini
It seems that the group of foreigners who now call Vilcabamba home have become somewhat of a novelty among the local Ecuadorian tourists who pull into town in massive SUVs and trucks, gawking unabashedly at the crazy gringos over weekends and holidays. It’s quite a strange mash of foreigners trying to conserve the natural beauties of this place and live a harmonious existence with Mother Nature, while the locals wash cars, clothes and their kids in chemicals banned in most ’developed’ countries, polluting the icy streams close to the headwaters ofregion’s rivers and streams.
At a Raw Vegan pot-luck, I stare at nimble, agile food fingers and try my best to absorb the most I can from all the people present. The range of skills here are impressive and I want to soak in the vital energies of pure love, food and thought of the company brought together by a special pair of Monarch Butterflies, trying to create heaven on earth.
Miin is in super ecstatic mode with raw dishes being prepared and served in a kitchen filled with a foreign community seeking something more than the mundane life. Instead of the usual small talk of strangers meeting for the first time, such as what do you do, where are you from, how long have you been travelling, conversations start with human design principles, to debating collective karma of nations and individuals, to a healthy middle aged woman who in all honestly is telling me of her first memory in this life as being an enigma drifting into this reality and mind. She claims to be from another world, another planet, another time. In this moment, I sense the real magnetic force which draws the strange folk – it’s the opportunity to be whomever we want to be, without being forced or judged by a mainstream culture or mindset. Conversations which might seem way far out of the norm in any drinking backpackers hostel is considered run of the mill in this valley, where the locals claim to all be well over a hundred years old.
On that note, many books and people claim that Vilcabamba has the most centurions on Earth, likely because of all its clean water and good vibrations. Which could be true, but we have to take into account that most people don’t have any record of birth or birthdates to lay legit claim to these serious postulations.
Conspiracy theorists, Shamans and end of the world prophets! Within the range of queer folk there are many different flavours that make up this mostly vegetarian stew. I know that I am strange and could even be considered weird by some, but it is here in Vilcabmba that I find the space for anyone to express and relate in whatever way they want. It is no surprise that we make fast friends with whom we bond deeply over our ten day visit.
Deep and Meaningful Conversations
The atmosphere of acceptance of all our fellow humanoids is in palpable and Vilcabamba has become a place of pilgrimage for those who consider themselves a member of the queer folk, or those who want a better future for this humanity on the brink of the biggest changes in ourliving history. My heart fills with hope when I see this spontaneous gathering of communities in Vilcabamba.
Namaste
Light and Love
EnVy
Recent Comments