pt.5: Betraying the Selva/Slaughtering a Lamb

August21 - Thursday

I almost feel as if I am betraying my love for the jungle when I say that this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. But the are different: In the jungle I felt joy and elation. Something about it - the heat and water, maybe - made me feel comfortable and happy like I do on Sullivan's Island. The jungle is spectacular in its lushness - it is vibrant, living, and feels to me like the Garden of Eden might. The Andes, on the other hand, are not that kind of warm, inviting, joyous beautiful. The mountains are parched, the colors are subdued. But they are, without a doubt, beautiful; it is a majestic, silent, awe-inspiring grandness. Both are indeed breathtaking. To think that the same country contains both - it is incredible.

The Andes don't necessarily invite me like the jungle or the ocean. Everything here has more of an edge to it, a level of discomfort that is hard to overcome. Maybe because of where I was raised, I feel joy when humidity blurs the edges of the world around me.

Either way, it would be amazing to return here to live and to bring others here, and the views of the Cordillera Blanca remain some of the most stunning I've ever seen.

August22 - Friday

Luis woke early (before 6) to finish planting; I laid in bed until 8 - insanely late here. There aren't many people left in this town. 4-5 families, half of those old women. Many of the houses stand abandoned. All of the young people have gone to the city; there are only 6-7 children that I have observed. The men discussed last night a neighboring town that had been completely abandoned - the thought is so depressing. Potrero is perfectly situated in the valley so that they can see all who approach - and they notice everyone. I barely see the ant-sized people traversing the mountains, but they notice all strangers immediately. While I was climbing the peaks yesterday, all in the town were asking: who is that man on the peak? Because I was in a man's clothing -poncho and chullo. I would so like to stay here for an extended period of time.

Around noon the men brought two lambs. I watched them slit the throats, remove the skins, and carve out the meat! Very surprisingly it didn't make me sick in the least - first time I've ever seen anything get slaughtered.