“I am not a writer, so to be able to express with words the impact of our journey will be difficult. I do want to tell you that my heart is full. I will hold this experience in a sacred place. My perception of my immediate world has changed. I am looking at, and feeling people, plants, my dog, and nature very differently. I feel very humbled and blessed. Please receive my love”.

Teresa Valdes
2006 Peru Spiritual Journeyer 

“You were right -- our journey to Peru was the trip of a lifetime.   But when you first contacted me with an invitation to join you and other Bombshells for this unique experience, all I knew is that traipsing through underbrush in the Amazon and hiking up mountain terrain in Machu Picchu was not my idea of a "vacation."  Yet, in some corner of my brain, the whole idea appealed to me from the start. I can't explain why ... just as there are so many things connected with this trip that have no earthly explanation.  

Before leaving for Peru, you asked us to tell you what we were looking for... what we hoped to get out of it.  I recall my response was focused on the direction needed for a special project I'd been working on -- a campaign related to hearing loss.   Since this was billed as a spiritual journey, I was thinking prayer could be the route to help see where I should be going with it. Didn't know what the deal was with Bombshell Circles but, wondered whether it might be the kind of problem-solving support that could benefit all of us.  Jackpot!”

“Almost from the beginning I realized this trip was not going to be about the mundane day-to-day stuff we left at home... except as we allowed those things to shape and change our lives.  In our new surroundings, we looked at clothes, makeup, homes, careers, relationships from a different perspective.  We opened to one another in a basic way -- nothing to hide behind ... no makeup, clothes uniform in their simplicity.  Just the seven of us.  And each brought something different to the equation.

Our access to spiritual leaders was amazing...  learning expeditions in the jungle and on Monkey Island... daily ceremonies in the Sacred Valley...up close and personal time with the revered Q'eros... personal healing sessions... quiet time with famous author / psychologist Alberto Villoldo whose insights throughout were invaluable.

For my part, I was actually happy to share thoughts and experiences that left me painfully vulnerable.  It drew me closer to the group and allowed the healing to begin.  These thoughts and experiences were nothing new to me, but the group dynamic did much to soften their hardness and make it all easier to deal with.   As for the campaign, I like the Bombshells’ advice to pause and concentrate on taking "baby steps" for now.  

There was magic everywhere.  Maybe not magic, actually, but happenings that gave us pause and made us wonder why:

• Lost my journal the 4th day and didn't find it again until I returned home -- found it in my daypack, which I must have searched 30 times!
• One of us lost the use of her camera for several days until it just started working again.
• Another lost her camera for almost a full day until it turned up in the small fanny pack she'd searched through countless times.
• I lost my fear of heights, thanks to one of us who urged me to release it and, by some miracle, I did.
• My large duffle bag didn't make it home until 2 days after me.

I think those happenings encouraged us to look beyond the trappings of our lives; to open our minds to what was happening in the moment... not to rely on journals and cameras to do it for us and, perhaps above all, to release the fears we may harbor that keep us from fully interconnecting with the world around us.  As for my missing duffle bag, I was forced to admit there wasn't a thing in it that mattered to my trip... if I never got it back again, I would still have my memories of the journey.  

So.... to Mercedes, Gilda, Pat, Patricia, Sherry and Tere I express my deepest thanks for sharing this journey and helping to create the trip of a lifetime for me and, I think, for all of us.  And a special, loving salute to those of you who will always occupy a part of my heart and soul....”

Kathlyn Maguire
2006 Peru Spiritual Journeyer

“I met the Miami Bombshells last year when I went with a good friend to their first Camp in the Poconos. We had so much fun that weekend! Mercedes and Pat mentioned the possibility of a trip to Machu Picchu... this was in my travel wish list and I thought this could be a fun group with whom I could go with.  So, when Mercedes made the formal invitation, I did not hesitate and signed up. I had no clue at this point, how significant this trip would be.

I had been feeling for a while already that emptiness you get when your children are grown and gone, when you have achieved so many other goals in your professional life and you realize there is so much more but it involves nothing from the material world.  Some personal crisis, my mother's illness and the death of a very dear cousin, brought me closer to God, and the great need to nourish my soul! But I was not too sure how to fill that emptiness; going back to church felt very comfortable and familiar. And then Mercedes started writing to us about this Spiritual Journey. I had read their book so I knew both Mercedes and Pat had very "special" experiences in Peru, but I really did not know how they were planning to take us on this kind of journey.” 
“There are no coincidences in life, I was meant to go on this trip, it was the right time, the right moment ! With an open mind, heart and soul we started a WONDERFUL JOURNEY that took us first to the heart of the jungle: the AMAZON, overwhelmingly beautiful, rich, powerful! And our introduction to the Shaman "culture". A bit skeptic at the beginning, I started listening and watching everything. And what I was finding was a marvelous way to see, touch and feel life with all it's richness and goodness!

Then we traveled to the amazing ANDES and I have no words to describe the majesty of these mountains touching the clouds, the simplicity of its scenery, and its people, always smiling and willing to be helpful.  Day after day we went to different archeological sites, our little Bombshell group, visiting these amazing Inca ruins that transport you to other times.

Our Shaman friends held ceremonies for us and the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to me happened: I learned to PRAY, really pray with my mind, my heart and my soul, with tears and my full intention! This was MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY! The energy that we received, the joy our hearts felt, the cleanliness of intent that we received from all the wonderful people we met and we shared with, was not just refreshing, it was inspiring and a gift for the rest of our lives!

I can not thank Mercedes and Pat enough for inviting us to be their companions on this amazing trip.! Sharing this experience with six women that I did not know, bonding the way we did, talking about our lives, our problems, our past, and leaving the past behind... to open ourselves to this beauty and goodness that life gives us is marvelous. I am back to work, 2 weeks later and I am so energized, so happy, so positive, people have told me I glow! I can't think of enough ways to give and to share my joy with everybody!

Thank you to my new best friends Tere, Sherri, Kathlyn, Patricia, and last
but not least Pat and Mercedes, I LOVE YOU!”

Gilda Alonzo
2006 Peru Spiritual Journeyer

“Our trip to Peru - the Amazon and Andes was more than any of us expected and could have imagined. It was truly a journey and one which, personally, lead me to a higher ground. Spiritually I've been re-awakened to the beauty of believing in myself, the beauty of the world and the beauty of giving and receiving in its purest form - love. It also reminded or helped me realize the power that lies in believing and trusting - and relinquishing the need to control.

The Andes were like nothing I had ever seen. The depth of it's energy and magic was all inspiring and encompassing. Compounded by the fortune of being able to be near, pray and hold sacred ceremonies with the Q'uero shamans who deeply cared and passed down the meaning of intent was the closest feeling to being in a heavenly sphere.”

“Not only did my spirit flourish but our Bombshell Circle blossomed and expanded as each day passed. Just as the original Bombshells came together as basically strangers, so did we. And just as the Bombshells healed one another and formed strong bonds, so did we. Mercedes was an outstanding generously strong and dedicated leader along with Patricia whose shining qualities enlightened and enthused us all. Patricia, Lee, Kathlyn, Terri and Gilda were also amazingly nurturing, fun and fearless. There may be other trips, but I'm glad I made this one mine. Thanks to each and everyone of you for every glorious moment that helped me learn more about myself, you and the universe. Sending lots of love and positive energy.”

Most sincerely,

Sherri Savad
2006 Peru Spiritual Journeyer