Sibundoy; time for some medicine

I had strange dreams last night that perhaps portend the days to come.

Every trip needs a spark, a linchpin around which the adventure will be formed. This is how I find myself in the town of Sibundoy, Putumayo, Colombia.

I was aware of the name Putumayo from my days working at HMV, an international record/CD chain (remember those?) that had stores in Canada. It was there that I first discovered the wonderful record label called Putumayo. They specialized in world music, and it was through them that I first discovered many of the beautiful sounds from diverse cultures around the world that expanded my musical knowledge and appreciation, as well as pique my curiosity about far away lands.

But Sibundoy only hit my radar when I decided a few months ago to finally try an experience that had been years in the making.

About 10 years ago, I picked up a fascinating book called Supernatural: Meetings with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind by Graham Hancock. His description of ayahuasca experiences planted a seed that never really went away, and a few months ago, I decided to finally take the plunge.

I looked into one of those retreats that have become almost common now in Costa Rica and some South American countries since Michael Pollan helped ignite the latest psychedelic renaissance with his 2018 book, How to Change Your Mind. But they seemed a bit too chichi and geared towards affluent foreigners.

So I did a little research and found that the Sibundoy Valley is an area where the Kamentsa Biyang Indigenous People have been practicing yagé (ayahuasca) ceremonies for hundreds of years. Through my Colombian connections, I was put in touch with a taita (shaman) from Sibundoy, Taita Miguel Angel Jamioy. I even found a YouTube video of an interview he gave, https://youtu.be/pB5ylg72c-o?si=7uGFxOFPLB7hiFNU

I'm checking out of my accommodations on Sibundoy now and walking over to his place about 30 minutes away, somewhere in the jungle, I'm guessing. I might be alone, or there might be two other people doing the ceremony, he advised me last night.

I'm a little nervous. I've read a fair amount about the taste, the effects, the physical toll it can sometimes take. But wtf, and with all due respect to Buddhists, you only live once.

See y'all on the other side!Read more