Out of Humous: Between the Sun and the Earth

Some say it's the second most beautiful trek in the world. At over 5000 meters, no doubt it is one of the most difficult. One thing is for sure – Hebrew is its second official language.

"Europeans," they told me at the agency, "do the trek in 12 days. There was actually no eight-day trek until the Israelis came." And we came, all right. Out of the eight people in the group, only Kevin did not speak the holy language, did not have army stories to share and knew for sure that he had no common acquaintances with any of the others.

It's a breathtaking trek. Literally. Look at the pictures.

It's also challenging. Out of the eight, six got ill at some point: altitude sickness, the flu and various stomach problems. A trek is a package deal. In those conditions, Kevin, who I can now call my friend, observed and noted that even though most of us were basically strangers to one another, we seemed to work as a team. A good point for the Israeli spirit. Getting to know one another better, we did find something in common - half of the group members like hanging out at the same pub back home - Agnes Pub. Small world.

Going up and down the mountains, we shared travel and life experience, some of them as beautiful as the view. I'd like to share one of those stories with you.

I would guess that A. is in his late fifties. He is thin and has a peaceful and welcoming expression. He is married to a young Jewish woman and they have one son. When A. was only a young teenager he left his parents' home and lived for a time among friends and in nature, after which he returned and studied psychology. Before he settled down and built his lovely little house, with the inviting garden in which he welcomed us, he worked with the indigenous communities. He is still involved in educational work, but no longer as a nomad.

A short flashback: it was after midnight. I was sitting in the hostel kitchen with my friend Einav when Elad showed up. He was disappointed because he had to leave in a few days and had not been able to meet up with a shaman. I knew what a shaman was, but up until that point it never occurred to me I would meet one.

Curiosity is a healthy human attribute. I quickly spoke the the owner of my hostel, a Peruvian travel agent. He also got curious, so not only did he arrange the meeting, he also took part in it.

Upon our arrival, A. offered us tea, presented himself and his perceptions and later answered our questions and allowed me and Elad a unique glimpse into a culture that survived 500 years of occupation, repression and murder.

It started by acknowledging our position between the earth and the sun. The Incas worshiped the sun and tried to build their cities and temples close to it, on the mountain tops. Nonetheless, they did not forget the ground they were walking on and feeding off of. They, and their sons today, show their appreciation and gratitude to the land through modest gestures, like depositing a few leaves of the Coca plant (with the utmost intention) in the ground.

You cannot only take and extract and exploit. Equally, one should also be kind to one's body. Eat wisely and consume healthy and natural food. Practice yoga and listen to your body. Use the body in moderation and responsibility. Respect and maintain your body as it hosts the spirit.

Our spirit is a potent and powerful tool. Each and every one should be able to serve himself and perform as an artist, a clergyman, a physician and a psychologist. Each and every function is important because they respond to our creativity and expression, our beliefs, our body and mind.

Somewhat like the Hebrew proverb saying a person is evident in his wallet, his drink and his anger (excuse my free translation), a person's spiritual level is evident in his daily life, in the manner he manages his personal and family relations, in is personal ethics and his etiquette. Those challenge us constantly, day and night, day in and day out, a test and an opportunity that continue for as long as we live.

Live long and prosper.