A cleansing in the market

Neil woke up with a fever today.  (He's recuperating, so please don't worry about him!)  As it turns out, my tutor brought me to a special market today where indigenous women bring healing herbs twice a week.  For added insurance for my own health, I did the whole treatment. 

First, I smelled a bunch of intensely fragrant medicinal flowers and herbs.  

Next, she whacked me with the bouquet while muttering a Quechua word that sounds like "shshhsh," and means "get out."

Then, she ran an intact raw egg all over my face, scalp, torso and arms.  It felt surprisingly soothing.

Next, she poured a pungent liquid (maybe water with essential oils) into my hand and had me smell, then rub that liquid all over my face.

The next step was a shock.  She drank a similar potion and then spat it on my belly, back and head.  Yes, it's drink and spit three times. 

Next, dabbed ash on my forehead, belly and back to protect me from bad forces.  

Finally, she broke the egg into a bag and read it.  Mine said I had "mucho malo viento," lots of bad air.  But now, I'm limpia (clean).

The whole thing took less than 10 minutes and cost $2.50.  I'm happy to have tried an age-old treatment that has cured colick, colds, depression, infertility, and many other ailments.  

Maybe I'll bring Neil once he feels better...