As the soft breeze pushed me into another phase, all the nature that surrounded me began to expand. The trees rose higher and their branches grew denser, while its leaves turned into a very dark green. I could feel them connecting from underneath me, their roots creating a humming sound…

Once Mother Ayahuasca invaded my being , there was no turning back. No will. No control. No power of any kind. I was entirely hers, and she was to be my guide for the next 10 hours of my life. I must make it very clear that while I was…

I had the perfect shamaness — one I trusted. I had followed each and every single step to prepare my body and spirit to receive the sacred brew: I cleared myself from toxins that might affect Ayahuasca’s powers, by doing a special diet for some weeks. I began by eliminating…

MOTHER’S DAY Today is Mother’s day in most countries. Not in Costa Rica, though. Here, where I live, we celebrate it in August. But since I’m Venezuelan, I have been receiving many wishes and congratulations. How nice…! I’ve never given too much weight or importance to what I refer to…

WHAT REALLY MATTERS We are part of a major historical event. We live it, not read about it or watch it on Netflix. We have friends who have friends, who have either gotten very sick, or have died from Covid. We hear about countries suffering from a lack of an…

Green Velvet I have always seen my mother as an elegant creature. Yes, creature. She was slender, yet shapeless — European, after all: long skinny legs, no hips, no tiny waist, no outstanding features. Her hands and nails very well kept, her hair thin and always kindly arranged. Her nose…

FEATHERS • CANDLES • COFFEE READINGS• Every fifteen days I have a date night with one of my kids. We get dressed up, and the kid who has its turn, chooses the restaurant. It can be anything they’d like to do, such as going to the movies, going for a…

ROOTS The tallest tress have the deepest roots. That is common knowledge. Coming from a Russian family, being raised in Venezuelan soil while being separated from my Venezuelan dad and his family, having part of my childhood memories from North America, and living amongst an Orthodox religious culture, only to…

Pain, pain, Go Away… Come Again Another Day This year my third kid graduates from school. He’s brilliant, tender, easygoing, has an exquisite taste for fine food, he’s the silent type, and very artistic (his ability to play any instrument blows my mind). He’s an avid reader, and a skillful…