"it's not going to break!"
Dear Jungle Hunter,
You do hunt in many places!
Sorry didn't get to say goodbye. A motorcarro was outside to go to the airport.
I do hope you enjoyed the bottle of rum with no mama's to guzzle it on you!
Enjoyed your company and hospitality. Will be raising a glass to your health and future parenthood to wish you the best of luck on that front.
Re the student. It may well break if it hasn't already been broken. I believe the jury is still out.
Well you can appreciate its all down to mama. So as you know its not the phone number but that "shopping list".
You just have to buy those groceries! The bag of rice sugar and gazola. The list you were very happy to keep reminding me of!
You might just do that. Make a clean break from the existing two shops and buy organic if there is such a thing.
Regardless, I wish you well in all adventures.
Cheers,
Del049.
Ayaschuasa v Mongering in Iquitos
[QUOTE=Matt Psyche;1195642]I have been thinking about a Iquitos trip for a mixture of Ayahuasca and mongerings. I heard that there are many fake, illegitimate cuanderos there. Do you know any good way to find a legit shaman? Did you have good experience in your Ayahuasca rituals? Any San Pedro cactus rituals as well in Iquitos? Thanks.[/QUOTE]Dear Matt,
I guess the real questions are how much time do you have and what kind of budget are you on. Anything less than a week. Ten days I would stick to only one objective (I was there for 3. 5 weeks). If you are on a low budget then definitely stick to a single objective.
Only had one ayaschuasca experience with ron wheelock (the gringo shaman). Not the most expensive but genuine enough for me. Some would argue its not an authentic option. He doing this a long time. Consequently, not in a position to compare or offer alternatives. He does offer retreats with basic facilities or any number of ceremonies you wish to do. You could contact ron wheelock via his website / email. He is pretty helpful and knows alot of the curraceros. Didn't feel any obligation to him even though I postponed a couple of times. Humming bird was one of the retreats mentioned as its expat curator 'Jim' had worked with ron previously and was there on the night that I did his ceremony.
Would recommend you check out the ayaschuasa boards and forums first as there are many providers both individuals and retreats.
As regards experience the above ceremony with ron wheelock started at 9pm and finished 4. 4.30 am. You are sitting up right on cushions on a concrete floor in near darkness for this time. Purging (pukking) and possibly shitting yourself. You are required to bring a torch, bogroll and loose fitting clothes (pj's). The drink was dark and rough but digestible. He is know for his strong brew. Was still buzzing after the ceremony I. E. Feeling and seeing electricity leaving or going through my body. Was physically knackered by it. Just weakness. It took me 2. 5 days to recover.
Would recommend subject to time and budget you do one or two ceremonies spaced over a week to see how you react or cope with it (physically). This no doubt is the reason why the ceremonies are spaced over 2-3 day intervals and done over the period of 2 weeks to a month or more by the retreats.
Mentally the experience was not negative. No terrors or haunting or guilt or what people deem to be negative. Spent most of it in an amusement arcade killing clowns (my demons). One other in the group (there was 9 in all) said they had experienced this before. The more ceremonies you do the more depth or into yourself you go. But cannot speak from experience. Hence most people do a good few ceremonies. The average was six for the group at ron wheelocks that night.
San pedro cactus. Did not know about this and not sure if this is available in iquitos. More research on boards / forums required.
If the above doesn't appeal then plan be. Mongering. I guess the number one advantage is speaking spanish. If so you are ahead of the game. If it is true that there is a higher ratio of women to men and given that peruvian women will talk to us gringos then your well on your way. Where? From what I understand. The following was correct in may 2011.
Pros are on the plaza des armes after dark. Other locations can be confirmed by the expats in iquitos.
Pros / non-pros / amateurs / gringo hunters / curious or all things can be found strolling down the boulevard overlooking the river. Take a pew with a coffee or beer and observe the masses.
Options for non- pros but game. All the retail staff from waitresses to clothes shops as they make only 100-120S per week. All the ICAP university students who will exchange english for spanish lessons. Stick up a notice and see. Or take a bus round the town and sit beside a pretty girl to chat too. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Bars. The Camiri bar down on the river (its also a hostel and restuarant) owned by Marcel. Have a chat with him. Its a nice place to chill out away from the main drag during the day or night. More up market is the Karma bar owned by english chap Stace formerly of Ibiza. Has good tunes and vibe. For the older expat brigade there's Dawn on the Amazon bar / cafe owned by american Bill (elder of the expats and knows everyone) for drinks with the expats, info, food and bouelvard watching.
Clubs. NouNou and or Voce bar if your into loud dance music / can't hear anything / expensive drinks but want to see some pretty why girls (and their boyfriends showing off). I lasted about 15mins in there. Theres another club with local live bands 15S cover charge attended by marrieds / family / friends and few pick ups. As I'm over 40 clubs are not my thing and have rarely worked for me. Las Divas don't know as was never there.
Pros. Up market would be hotel lobbies and down market the plaza des armes. See other threads using motorcarro as agents. Possibly the quickest way of doing things.
Accommodation: would recommend the hotel El Colibiri. 40S per night for a single. Cheap and in the center of town. Good first night or two to get your bearings. For a weekend to chill out with good food and a pool the Fitzcarro house about 1. 5/2 miles out along the port road 250S per night for a single or just go there for a drink and lounge around the pool to impress the girls. Longterm (month plus) find an apartment.
Other. Try [url]www.perutops.com[/url] If you have spanish and can do some ground work.
I hope this helps.
Regards, Del049.
How is the action on Plaza 28 de Julio?
[QUOTE=Del049; 1172587]A good observation Dickhead! Glad you raised the point. In hind-sight you may be absolutely correct. (I suspect we all pay by one measure or another.)
Then again I am a green-horn new to mongering which was not on the agenda this trip. That in itself may be provide some enlightenment.
On the issue of the report. The article was not finished before posting and was saved using Ubuntu. It does funny things to one's script. I am still learning!
Regards Del049.[/QUOTE]Plaza 28 was dead a couple of years ago when I went back, but in its heyday (pre 2004) the place was a veritable goldmine of earthly delights. Seldom did you have to pay more then 50 soles for a very memorable experience.
The staff at the hotels in the area were very helpful as well. I recall arguing in front of the hotel with a nubile provider and turned her down because she wanted 80 soles. I don't think the good times are back, but this crackdown can't last forever, eh.
Any Updates on Iquitos to Share?
Just got back from 2 weeks of travel in northern Peru (Trujillo, Chiclayo, Chachapoyas) , but no opportunities to 'punt' this time. Did hear from more than one Peruana (civilians) that the women in Iquitos were 'jungle-hot' and 'ready to play'; apparently legendary in Peru for their friendliness and overt interest in gringos. Seems they are all looking for that 'Great White Hunter' to take them out of the jungle, at least according to my 'Nortena' amigas. (My BS meter was going off at this point) They also mentioned the favorable (for us Mongers) female to male ratio, something I've read about on this forum elsewhere.
So is all this just Peruvian 'myth' or are there truly that many Pros, Semi-Pros, and Local Amateurs in Iquitos? I've been to Peru several times, and though I've had the opportunity to go to Iquitos a while back, I had to pass. I do love this country, the food, the culture, and THE CHICAS. This thread has little actionable intel over the last year or so, but if anyone with recent experience can give a half-way plausible update on Iquitos, then that's where I'm goin' next.
Maybe I should add that I am well over 6 ft. and very 'Anglo', so I already know I'll stick out like the 'tall poppy' and will draw some attention, appreciative, perhaps, and otherwise, but I can handle all that. But I DO speak Spanish as well. I'm well aware that at my age, I'm not going to catch any 19 year old spinners in the discos, but I can keep up with the best s*t those hardened pros want to throw my way and truly enjoy the chitter-chatter, 'negotiations', etc, with ALL the damas, professional or otherwise!
Thanks, in advance, for any general info you Gentlemen can provide.
