strangebrew Posted November 30, 2005 I've followed MSS's lead and been doing some searching and found this great little travelogue from Ecuador. It's got some very interesting photos and details the dilemma's of finding a good shaman and drug tourism. http://www.zuvuya.net/sites/babylontravel/...rame_spedro.htm I think they did the wisest thing of all in the end. Has anyone got the Lonely Planet guide to Ecuador to give the location? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strangebrew Posted November 30, 2005 I am in no doubt that Vilcabamba is the area this occurred in, a quick google showed a heap of sites linking san pedro with the area, probably mainly due to the mention in the Lonely Planet guide. Vilcabamba isn't too far away from Cuenca where the T. pachanoi in Britton & Rose was taken and judging by some of the photos turning up it really does look like the Backeberg clone is just an attractive sample of the species. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strangebrew Posted December 1, 2005 Brian Harding from Ireland has been lucky enough to get a grant to study Echinopsis pachanoi 'management & harvest' at Vilcabamba. http://www.globaldiversity.org.uk/aprjun05.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pisgah Posted December 1, 2005 A bizzare aside... There is a great movie called El Crimen de Cuenca, by Pilar Miro that deals with turture in South America. Cuenca, that's the only reason I bring it up. Lonely Planet, hmmmm. When I used to manage an independent travel book store (talk about a micro-niche) it seemed that there was an impulse to find the edgy angle (ie. drugs) and exploit it to seem as if they were a cutting edge publisher. What is refreshing is to hear that the people trying to play up the san pedro thing to garner tourism are coming off as worthless hucksters. Stream of consciousness... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
planthelper Posted December 1, 2005 cuenca, yep i've been there, time to go there once again, who else wants to? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShiningPlain Posted December 1, 2005 awesome strangebrew! cheers man. ecuador is actually at the top of my list for places to meet or become a shaman at. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strangebrew Posted December 1, 2005 You serious? Cool! The best of luck to you. I picked up a secondhand copy of the Peru guide, it mentions Huancabamba as a good place for shamen. But maybe now that should read 'was'. Actually I really like the Lonely Planet guides they're so comprehensive and informative but I agree they'll throw in the sensational as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate123 Posted December 8, 2005 I have a connection with a shaman in Cuzco whom is apparently extremely wary of every so called "shaman" down there.Despite being a very powerful, and very traditional shaman he does not dress in any type of traditional clothing, or speak of his profession to anyone. For him it must be understandibly embarrassing to be lumped in with all the other hoaksters in that part of the world who make a show of themselves and abuse anything they have by displaying it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyAmine. Posted December 8, 2005 I think the lonely plant guide could be partly blamed for the over backpackerization of Nimbin/Byron as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunter Posted December 8, 2005 It might be nice to stop in a market that carries San Pedro. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woof woof woof Posted December 8, 2005 cuenca, yep i've been there, time to go there once again, who else wants to? I have not settled on a destination to to go to yet! The high Andes mountains are sooooo danm nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
