The Ceremony

We had the ayauasca ceremony at a yoga studio. We sat in a circle on the floor. In the middle was flowers, ayauasca, San Pedro, tobacco, copala, a chalice for the charcoal, and a lot of candles. We all told things we were grateful for and and passed around a thick blunt of very natural tobacco then imbibed the first of two batches of San Pedro, a pychodelic cactus from South America. It began to effect but just lightly. Then we had a shot of ayauasca. Yeah, it hit. Very relaxing. Many of us layed down. I was in and out of sleep. The Medicine man, Yuri, played songs and sang. Him and his wife Mili played together, she sang and pumped the shaker and he played the water drum. My high was over pretty soon; a lot sooner than acid and sooner than shrooms. I took another shot. The 2nd one hit the spot. Maybe he gave me more. It made my whole body relaxed. It had never been this relaxed in all my life. I meditate almost everyday trying to relax my body, but I had never reached this level.

We ended it smoking tobacco and telling about our experiences of the ceremony and how it effected us and how we felt. I wanted to say more than I did. But, I felt that if I did say all that I wanted that it would have been self-indulgent.

Farm Airbnb

 

 

After it was done Richard and I went back to the Airbnb that we were staying at because Yuri and Mili were staying at Richard’s apartment. This Airbnb consisted of a couple acres of land on which was jungle and various dwellings that they rented out. We got the cheapest,  a camper. They had an outdoor kitchen, and a tree-house. It was like being back at the Shire in Middle Earth. An outdoor shower. I could see the stars. I saw the moon in the sky and a swaying palm tree in the same shot. It was warm, balmy and I thought of where all my friends in the Peace Corps were at. They in their world and I in mine. But at one time we were in the same world.

The Dominican Republic

I went to the Dominican Republic which is the last Spanish speaking country that I’ve never been to. I spent the first 2 days in Santo Domingo in the colonial section, and since this is the first European city in the new world it’s kinda a big deal. But you don’t see many European lookin’ people. I know that they’re out there. But you don’t see them them often. They’re like the Himalayan snow leopard. I filmed the old Spanish forts. I love old Spanish Caribbean forts. I’ve seen plenty starting with the old fort in Porto Bello, Panama. My and Richard use to go there when we were stationed in Panama. We’d rent a dug-out canoe and paddle out to the Spanish Forts overrun with jungle and moss. And with a case of beer, of course.

 

 

Up North

I went to a small town called Mao in the north of the country. I wanted to go to a non-touristy place. Actually I didn’t  want to go there, I just decided not to get off at my destination. This town of grid like streets with about 50,000 was pretty clean and organized. Doesn’t feel 3rd Worldy. People were polite. Everyone left me alone when I walked down the street, even though it was quite obvious that I wasn’t from there. When I run out of money I’d have to go back to Miami and work. So I was trying to put that day off as far as possible.

Beach Town

I went to a beach town called Las Terrenas. It was bohemian and full of jungle and palm trees, bars, motorcycles and the ocean is there, too. I stayed at a hostel called Dan and Manty’s Guest house. The 2nd floor was all open air. There was a roof but no wall on one side. I went out every night. It was fun and I met lot’s of Dominicans. If I would have stayed longer I would have had some lasting friendships. Strange, in addition to the bars and clubs being open until midnight there were barber shops and hair saloons open until 12:30 a.m. I met a group of Americans there. We hit the clubs one night. I got hella drunk and met an attractive girl at a club. It was a whirlwind night I barely remember then I found myself in a room with two prostitutes. With clothes still on I fished through my wallet and realized I didn’t have enough money. And I’m glad I didn’t. I left happy that I didn’t give in to temptation on something that I wouldn’t recall. The next day we were all hung over. My last night I joined a street party. And they were cooking some big stew on the street in a big cauldron on a campfire on the street.