Peru 17 - Abandoned in the Un-Sacred Valley or Self-Service Eco Yoga

Nov 5, Ego Yoga Retreat, on the porch

The week has gone quickly, and I will heading out tomorrow for either another spiritual-oriented farm (la Casa de Gopal) if there is room, else bedding down in the nearby town of Pisac – a mini-Cusco – for it is a popular tourist destination. Both are only a short ride away.
To sum up this week, Eco Yoga Retreat has been abandoned, with only Martin here to greet us, and Prasada - one of the “owners” - invited a group of stoned travelers to stay here a couple of night ago – Trina and I were under the impression that this is a spiritual retreat and had a no-drugs policy. Martin (from Spain) was a young ex-devotee and now smoking weed – albeit off the property. Confusion abounded the first few days. Trina (who first came here to volunteer about a week before I arrived) is now in charge (ha!), as none of the owners are running the show here. Rama had passed on the key to Trina to cover while he was away teaching yoga for Chaityana in Cusco. Chaityana was away in New Mexico. Prasada was working 6 days a week in Pisac and had just moved to Eco Yoga to live – although Rama wasn't aware of this. Trina was doing her best to figure things out and try and find out who was really in charge here – no easy task when there are no phones nor internet. Basically, Trina and I ran the show here, with Martin occasionally pitching in. There is a sign on the road: Eco Yoga. I asked Trina to paint a sign to hang below it: Self-Serve.
One early morning Trina and I cross over the river and climb the mud steps to a small farm for fresh milk and eucalyptus honey. We missed the milk (5am or its gone to market), and all honey had been shipped to Cusco markets. On the way back we hear roosters and I comment that we could get fresh eggs – Trina says eggs are not allowed in our Krishna-based community, but after Prasada's stoned friends, I'm guessing a couple of eggs might be allowed in this Un-Sacred Valley. We both laugh.
One morning after another yoga bust due to Prasada's lack of clarity on scheduling, I walked down beside the Urubamba river and visited Vichu, an authentic tiny Peruvian hamlet, far from any tourist route or bus. Other than the ubiquitous TV satellite dishes, this adobe town probably hasn't changed much over the centuries. The church was locked, but the chickens in front of the wooden door made for a Kodak moment.
The yoga building here is the best I've seen anywhere. A spacious adobe octagon, Inca style windows (trapezoids), and a huge mandala skylight from which to view passing clouds during savasana. The east facing wall is open to the river just a few yards away, so the flow of water flows to your ears. All this place needs is people and administration to make it go. Perhaps in another era. I leave tomorrow. Both Trina and Martin are leaving the day after. Full self-service after that for anyone who follows our footsteps.