Project Renaco: Iquitos
Iquitos, Peru, is a city of vibrant life and natural beauty, nestled deep within the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. As the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road, it is truly a gateway to the wonders of the Amazon, accessible only by boat or plane. This unique isolation has preserved much of its charm and mystique, making it a hub of biodiversity and a cultural crossroads where indigenous traditions meet modern influences.
Despite its majestic setting and rich cultural tapestry, Iquitos faces significant economic challenges. Many residents live with limited access to essential resources and opportunities. Yet, the spirit of the people remains strong, with a deep connection to the land and a resilient community spirit. By supporting the people of Iquitos, you’re not only helping a community in need but also contributing to the preservation of one of the world's most precious ecosystems. Your generosity can make a real difference in the lives of those who call this remarkable city home.
Why Iquitos?
What was the inspiration for our involvement in Iquitos?
Project Renaco: Iquitos
Project Renaco: Iquitos
1. Welcome to Iquitos
2. Iquitos: A brief History
2a. Carlos Fitzcarrald: SS60
2b. Julio Arana SS60
Amigos en Iquitos
What started as an experiment in Astrocartography and exploration of spirituality quickly developed in to a series of events and relationships that could not be overlooked and will not soon be forgotten.
We could not embark on this cross-continental adventure without the help of our friend Oscar. Oscar set the tone for us in Iquitos and was quick to jump on board when we presented our plans.
The Plan for Iquitos
As mentioned in the recording above, Oscar, his wife, and other family members are incredible artists. They serve their communities and travelers like us with all of the needs and wants before heading in to the depths of the spiritual Mecca that is the Amazon Rainforest. Coming in September:
"Oscar's Amazon Art"
-Amazon purchases you can feel good about
Where does the money go?
The trip from Colorado Springs to Iquitos is about $1200. That includes the air time, lodging, and food.
The trips to Iquitos are "Full-Hands-in/Full-Hands-Out".
We bring along suitcases full of kids clothing, shoes, electronics, art supplies, and all the other necessities that we can fit.
Your donations help purchase all of this.
Then...
We purchase all of the artwork we can afford and return to the US market with our suitcases full.
We're contributing to our Iquitos friends and community by bringing down their needs and bringing back the ability for them to generate some more income and improve their quality of life.
The hope is to fill their cup with the compassion of our vastly larger network here in the states.
Then...
See how they're able to fill others cups and keep the trend moving forward!
Amigos en Iquitos
Oscar
Our friend Oscar has his boots on the ground, stationed at the front line in a city facing more than its fair share of challenges. He witnesses firsthand the struggles of a place with no interstate commerce, where networking beyond the immediate surroundings is nearly impossible.
The cost of shipping just one of his necklaces to the U.S. exceeds $200!
Oscar's only opportunity to showcase his talent and passion lies within his neighbors, local community, and a very small handful of tourists he'll interact with each day. .
By opening the door to the rest of the world, we can provide him with a chance to create and share more than just his art with those around him.
He will serve as our eyes and ears, offering invaluable insights on the next steps we can take to positively impact this critical piece of the globe.
This city is the gateway to the jungle, a starting point for spiritual retreats, and an integral hub for commerce within the rainforest. Yet, despite its significance and beauty, it is treated as a mere stopping point by tourists from around the world.
OJ
Time with "OJ" who actually goes by "Junior" was a surprise bonus addition to our September trip. He was there to meet us at the airport with Oscar and took an initial role of "translator". Over the span of a few days we had the opportunity to really connect with him and see where his heart is. OJ is extremely knowledgeable about the area and the struggles the city feels. He was able to provide so much insight and a deep look in to where help is needed.
OJ is providing the "Visions of the Jungle" series paintings in the shop. Although he is not the artist, he works directly with the painter and will be using all proceeds for the better of the community.
Augusto
What a treat it has been getting to know Augusto, and it stemmed from Elisa and I breaking the rules at the Ayahuasca retreat (Flower of Life). Augusto is another guide at Flower of Life, but he was not our guide. After we unknowingly abandoned a San Pedro ceremony earlier, Augusto was tasked with sticking with the disobedient outcasts. We had a few hours to sit and get to know each other, learn about the city, the villages, his wife and his son Ethan who turned 1 while we were there. It seems our unruliness created what I think will become a lifelong friendship.
During our September trip Augusto took time away from his job at Flower of Life to meet us and catch up (allow me to explain the significance of that: Asking the owner of the center if he could take 8 hours off work, asking the owner to arrange a 90 minute boat ride to Nauta, finding a taxi for a 2 hour drive to Iquitos, then a taxi for the 2 hour ride back, and finding a boat to take him 90 min back to the center: He traveled 7 hours to meet us for 1 hour!)
We stay in pretty consistent contact with Augusto and are working on some really wonderful plans to provide educational resources for his village.
Junior
Junior was one of the highlights of our June trip to the jungle. He was our dedicated guide for our 8 day Ayahuasca journey. He is a family man, and belongs to a local indigenous tribe. He has recently started a jungle touring service (JungleJim Tours) with his business partner Jaime.
The art in the shop under the "Bora Tribe" category was all created by the children of his village, and 80% of all proceeds from those sales go directly back to the village (Junior and his village don't know this yet. I bought up as much as I could but didn't tell them I'd be returning with the additional money from the sales. Don't tell him if you see him! We want it to be a surprise.) The other 20% goes to the Renaco travel fund, helping me get back down there soon!