Thanks for the links! I watched the Nature of Things episode, and it was very well-done. I'm from the area, and even got to meet David Suzuki a couple years ago. The man truly seems to know something about EVERYTHING.
The show really made me realize how important the ritual ceremony is. So much build-up, such a ritual of spiritual protection and clear-minded intention, and as well being part of a bonding communal group - quite a safety net. I've had mimosa root bark and syrian rue sitting in my cabinet for almost a year now - probably will never use it as it's far from fresh now. But it's probably for the better - i would have brewed it up on my stove and sipped it alone in my room on some random Saturday night. Perhaps I'll put a trip to Peru on my to-do list.
The Vanity Fair article was quite a read. I skimmed parts - hilarious story about the guy sneaking into the Great Pyramid of Giza with a bottle of ayahuasca that was boiled out of his underwear after he spilled it. He brings bag with him to puke into - which he does - and in front of Cheops' sarcophogus, deep within the pyramid, he sits on his puke-bag, bursting and spilling it all over his pants. It seems the man can't keep that damn ayahuasca out of his fuckin undies!
Also entertaining was essentially hearing a trip report written by a Vanity Fair writer.
"I wonder idly, given the strong prohibition against sexual activity before and after the ayahuasca experience—not to say during—whether it is possible to manage the act at all. I attempt to imagine a situation, circumstances, favorable to arousal. I get no help from the visions, but have the sense, though I’ve no hard evidence to back it, that sexual activity is possible, if challenging, given adequate quantities of mouthwash."
www.vanityfair.com
