A scene at Heaven’s Gate - those beautiful sky-kissing snow-capped mountains.
The day after our Transformation Mesa, we returned to the temple to see it with fresh eyes. We spent more time in the labyrinths, bonding with our god-like Lanzon, and trying to slowly integrate the mystical memories swimming inside our cells.
Every time I made eye contact with one of the travelers, I felt shivers in my spine. My brothers and sisters. They knew so much. We talked very little, but grinned incessantly.
The next day, we loaded up our belongings and climbed the bus to Heaven.
We returned to a city we had passed through a few days before; a glorious place called Huaraz. This would be our home for the next 2 nights; the last stop on this cosmic journey. The next morning, we rose early, had the lightest of breakfasts, and started reveling in the bittersweetness of our last Mesa together. Once again, we had to assemble in Howard’s room to take our medicine, and there was such an incredible elation shared amongst us. Fearless and anxious, joyous and bonded, we buzzed and bounced as we waited our turn.
When Howard met my eyes, I exploded in light.
“Kitty,” he said simply. “Well, just look at you. Me-WOW.”
I giggled and MeWowed right back, then I dramatically slinked up to the Mesa and bowed on my knees. I didn’t even taste the foul elixir this time; I welcomed every last drop. Savored every element. This may be my last trip, so I needed to remember every piece.
God, we were so happy. As usual, we had little to no expectations, but all kinds of excitement. Heaven’s Gate was the destination…all we knew, historically, is that in 1970, a 9.0 earthquake ripped through this glorious section of the Andes, severing the mountain range in half. A lagoon sprung up in the center, and the most beautiful place on the planet was given life. The most beautiful. This, I promise.
But as this Mecca pushed through like a lifespring, 70,000 people perished below. A landslide wiped out 2 villages, and all that remains are the church steeples, poking through the soil. We were entering a burial ground. We were visiting Heaven on Earth.
The bus came around to gather us, and already…already I fell into the zone. There weren’t as many barriers the Huachuma had to push through these days; my heart was so hungry for more knowledge, for more life and love, that just the thought of our ceremony sent me into a sacred space. This was what I had to bring home with me; the ability to find such divinity, without the aid of the medicine. I grabbed a hold of the power and made friends.
Z and I sat in silence as the bus started climbing. We had 2 hours of treacherous, dirt road to embrace, along with a 5,000 foot climb – all the way up to 14,000 feet. Most of us brought along our MP3 players; the right music helps you transcend even higher.
I looked over at Z and saw the most intense, light-pouring expression. I tapped him on the shoulder to learn more.
“Whatcha listening to, baby?”
“My enlightenment experience.”
“Oh, heh, that.”
And then I surveyed my scene; one of those snapshots that we take stock of at larger-than-life moments.
I was on a bus, headed to a mystical burial ground were yet another transformation awaited. Deep in the Peruvian Andes, having the journey I always dreamt of…next to the partner who would slay dragons for me. Someone who already knew what it meant to be enlightened. Someone I could rise to meet, on a pedestal higher than our minds can comprehend. I saw the fellow travelers; everyone’s head chakras were bursting with light. I waved to Howard and smiled, bouncing along as the bus hit potholes and rocks. I would never know this moment again.
“Howard, the road to heaven is goddamn bumpy.”
He laughed and gave me a thumbs up.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I fell back into my chair, put on a little Sigur Ros, and awaited my unfolding mystery.
