Star Tours #4: The Dark Llamas

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2:16Thomas. Thank you so much for being here. This wonderful series that I'm continuing for you tonight was written by Kayla. In each episode we travel to the stars and visit a different constellation. Tonight's journey begins in South America in the Peruvian city of Kusko. After exploring the town, we'll travel into space and learn about an unusual constellation sometimes referred to as a dark constellation. In this one, the dark spaces between the stars are thought to resemble llamas, a mother and her baby. Long ago, these llamas in the sky inspired a charming Inca myth which we'll be hearing tonight.

3:23Before we begin, let's get settled in so we're cosy and relaxed and ready to accept the dreamy pull of sleep whenever it comes our way. If you need to adjust your position in bed to make yourself more comfortable, feel free to do so. And when you're ready, close your eyes and just begin to tune into your body. Allow the breath to flow naturally as it has done all day long, whether you've noticed it or not. Now is a good time to notice it, to pay attention to the wave like motion of the breath

4:29as it softly comes and goes. Use the breath to anchor yourself in the moment, to bring a greater sense of relaxation and calm. However you're feeling right now, just set the gentle flow of your breath, guide you towards rest. And while you do, I want you to know three facts about yourself, and to hear and absorb them without any sense of doubt. 1. Number one is that you are the only person capable of bringing all the unique qualities you possess to

5:30this world. Number two, you are an undeniable piece of this world, and you deserve to feel that you belong because you truly, truly do. And number three, because of facts one and two, you are loved and cherished by the world. And you ought to love and cherish yourself too. 2. I really do appreciate you being here, and I hope you're about to enjoy the deepest, most wonderful rest. Spend a final moment focusing on your breathing, drawing the air in slowly,

6:31and releasing it back out, softly. Now, let's travel to Peru in South America to embark on our next adventure into outer space. This is where our story begins. 3. Our adventure tonight begins in Cusco, Peru. Cusco sets at a high altitude in the Andes mountain range near the sacred valley.

7:38This region was of great importance to the Inca people, whose descendants still live in South America, in the countries known as Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. The area surrounding Peru's sacred valley includes Cusco, the historical capital of the Inca Empire, and Machu Picchu. The Inca citadel is famous for its well-preserved architecture, and the skillet took to build a town on such a high mountain ridge. The towns in the sacred valley are connected by an extensive road network,

8:39a mountainous route filled with marvelous sites which the Inca used to travel from town to town. High in the Andes, the hills around Cusco contain the scattered remnants of old Inca buildings. But the town centre where you're staying is a mix of old, new, and newer. From your guesthouse window, you can see the mountains that told the ancient ruins. The rise up behind Spanish colonial buildings, which are now filled with modern shops and restaurants. The evening sun lowers over the town, making the high arches smooth stones and grey cobbled streets

9:47shimmer in golden light. You can fill the muscles in your neck and back, starting to relax, knowing the sun will set soon. Then it will be time for your interstellar adventure. You pack your things for the night, and leave your guesthouse to make your way to the Cusco Observate Tree, the base for Star Tours in Peru. Stepping outside, you feel the fresh mountain breeze on your face. At this altitude, Cusco never gets too hot. Tonight, it feels like a late autumn day.

10:49You wander down the quiet street from your guesthouse to the main square, the centre of this lively town. Families and groups of friends are out for the evening, enjoying each other's company, as they go for a stroll or stop for a bite to eat. Street vendors push clanging metal carts along the cobblestone, offering traditional peruvian drinks. These include Chichamurada, a purple corn drink, Maté de Cocca or Cocati, which is thought to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness, and a Moliante, a herbal tea, believed to have healing properties.

11:56You stop at one of the carts and take in the fresh aromas of the different drinks, before ordering a warm Chichamurada to accompany your walk. Taking a sip, sweet and bitter tastes mingle together, creating a warming sensation through your whole body. On the way, you wander past shops selling intricate, lean-net textiles, clothing, stuffed llamas and other crafts. You enjoy taking in the local art of weaving, which was a major trade good in the Inca Rempire. It's still a popular art and export in the region today.

13:01In restaurants, people lean back in chairs, laughing and chatting in front of tables of fresh ceviche and chicken soup. You marvel at how relaxed the pace of life is here. At an elevation of over 3000 meters, everything moves slowly. It's easy to lose your breath if you rush up and down the hilly roads. So instead, you follow the locals, ambling at a slow pace and enjoying the pleasant evening. You follow the cobbled streets out of the town centre, where the stones turn to peeved and dirt roads.

14:02The planetarium is up one of the hills, just outside the centre. You want to take in as much as you can on the way there, to immerse yourself in the history and mythology of this magical place. Walking up hill, you find history everywhere. Ruins of old temples and villages are scattered throughout the hillsides. The last rays of the sun glitter on white stones, highlighting the architectural details that make travelling in this part of the world so spectacular.

15:03Soon, you see the dome of the observer tree. The building is perched in a clearing surrounded by trees, and the new moon in the dusky sky, blitters on the glass roof. Other passengers are arriving for the trip this evening. Some walking along the road like you, and others arriving by taxi or tuk-tuk. There's an excited bus passing around the outside of the observatory, as everyone gathers, mixing with that unique energy you feel when you're around stone structures from ancient times. It's the feeling that something magical has happened here,

16:05mingling with the sense that something magical is about to happen right now. You take a moment to enjoy the area, just like in Kusko's old town. On this hill, the old merges with the new, and yet, what seems old to you is only an instant in the life of the night sky. You can't wait to hear the stories that connect humans across thousands of years, and thousands of miles. A bell chimes, and you follow the crowd into the observatory, catching snippets of excited conversations.

17:08You love how the stories behind the stars are something that brings so many people together. Young and old, families, friends, and solo travellers, all speaking different languages, but drawn to the same night sky. Inside the observatory, glowing silver pictures light up dark walls. You notice a llama, a donkey, a frog, and other animals from stories in Inka mythology. But it's not the star shapes you've come to see tonight. It's the spaces in between. The Inka told stories not only about the glowing stars themselves, but also about the dark shapes

18:16between them. On the deck above the walls, you get a glimpse of the ship you'll be travelling in tonight. It is sleek and black with a silver racing stripe. It's not too big. There are only about 30 people on your tour. Just enough to feel like you're enjoying this experience with others, without feeling overwhelmed. The color of the moon is different. Wearing loose black trousers and a wide grin, a man steps out in front of the spaceship and addresses the crowd through a microphone. He introduces himself as Javier and explains that he'll be your guide and story teller for the evening.

19:23The crowd forms a line and you pull out your ticket. The line goes up a metal staircase to the platform where Havier is standing, which is also where you board to the ship. One by one, the guide helps each of the guests come aboard. You enjoy listening to the whispered excited chatter of your fellow guests, mixed with the sounds of wind and twittering birds outside the observatory. And it's your turn, Havier walks you to your private part. Like all Star Tours ships, there's a bet and nightstand with a heap of pillows and blankets

20:28for you to choose from. There are also windows everywhere, so no matter which position you lie in, you'll be able to see the show. The pillows range from firm to soft and you take your time to choose the ones that feel just right. You do the same with the blanket, sorting through light flannel sheets, big fluffy comfortes and weighted blankets before landing on the one that feels perfect to you. As you pull the blanket over yourself and snuggle into bed, you hear the last of the passengers boarding and the door of the ship closing.

21:30Havier returns to your pot and delivers you a soothing herbal tea. He lets you know there's a cafe at the back of the ship in case you'd like any more tea, water or a snack. Then he leaves you to rest. A few minutes later, Havier's voice over the speaker informs you that the ship is ready for takeoff. You fear the gentle rumble as the motor starts up. Then the ship offers off the dock and starts floating up higher and higher. The journey is smooth and while you know you're travelling at light speed, it feels like

22:35a slow amble into the night sky. As you watch Cusco get smaller below, you're soon completely surrounded by the dark sky and shining stars. You take in the glowing orbs among the darkness, feeling your body tingle with the excitement of adventure. With the southern hemisphere providing clear reviews of the galactic centre of the Milky Way, the skies reveal a magnificent display and it doesn't take long until you spot the glowing white streak across the sky. The ship finds a spot to hover with a clear view for tonight's tale.

23:45Havier tells you that the Inca people paid close attention to the night sky. They lacked telescopes, clocks and modern technology, but by using the sun and stars, they still managed to build structures such as temples and observatories that told millions of people when to harvest and plant crops. The Milky Way was especially important to the Inca. They saw it as a river that started in the Velcono-Tar river in the sacred valley of Peru and run all the way from Earth to the realm of immortals in the night sky. While the Inca worshipped constellations of stars like many cultures around the world,

24:52they were also captivated by the dark shapes within the white strip of the Milky Way. From referred to as dark constellations, the animal shapes in the sky each had a role and story in the Inca world. Tonight, Havier will be telling the story of the llamas. This dark constellation contains two stars, alpha and beta centauri, which make up the adult llamas' eyes. Also included in the dark shape is a baby llama. It becomes more visible over Cusco in November.

25:57Put up here with the star to a ship finding the perfect vantage point. You're able to see this constellation any time of year. At first, when gazing at the Milky Way, you find it difficult to see the shape of the llama. But as you let your focus relax, suddenly the shape clicks into view. You can see the legs and ears of both the mother and baby llama sketched into the stars. Havier begins by telling you that llamas were very important animals to the ancient Inca. And they are still important to Peruvians and Undying Coaches today.

27:04It was said that the llamas in the sky looked out for the llamas on earth. But according to legend, the llamas looked out for the Inca people too. Like many cultures, the Inca have a floodmeth and it's said to be the llamas in the Milky Way that saved the people. This is the story Havier will tell this evening. As he starts the tale, lights project onto the shapes in the Milky Way, animating the characters in the story. The great llama in the sky lived in the river of the Milky Way.

28:06She had a beautiful daughter and they loved playing with the other animals who lived in the river. Their favourite activity was coming out at night to see what the people below had done during the day, designing beautiful textiles and chiseling perfect shapes out of stone. The baby llama dreamed of one day visiting the people who created such beautiful things. But her mother always told her it wasn't their place to go. They lived in separate worlds and while connected, the human realm wasn't a place for the creatures of the Milky Way.

29:07Then one day, the llamas got worked that a great flood might be coming to the land of the Inca. The baby llama wanted to go there to help the people. But her mother told her we are of the night sky and they are of the earth. Our job is to watch not help. Our daughter disagreed. How can we stand by and do nothing if we have a chance to help her? Besides we are not really so far from them. Isn't it true that the mouth of our river is on their land? We all share one world.

30:10The mother llama listened to her daughter's words and realized she was right. All beings in this world were connected and they should all help each other. Together, the two llamas left their spot in the Milky Way and swam upstream towards the land of the Inca. They swam and swam, hoov's paddling in the water, feeling the cool swirl of the sky on their fur. Until the creamy feel of the Milky Way transitioned into the refreshing wetness of water. The llamas had swam all the way to the earthly river in the land of the Inca.

31:17Now they could help their people. Having lived in outer space, the llamas had never felt water before. They played and splashed in the cool river, floating through towns with the gentle current. How different it was from being in the sky. Here on earth was a land full of sensations. They smelt the pollen from plants and the muddy scent of the river banks. They felt their fur getting heavy with liquid and marveled at the taste of fresh water in their mouths.

32:18After taking their first sip, the llamas realised they were thirsty. They drank from the river. The cool liquid was refreshing and exhilarating. The llamas drank and drank until they were finally satisfied. The local villages came out from their homes and took a break from farming to watch the llamas in the water. When the animals finished drinking, the people noticed the water levels had gone down. These animals were going to help keep the land safe. In celebration, the people brought food to the llamas for them to eat.

33:24Freshly roasted squash and corn with sweet and spicy sauces. The llamas gratefully accepted the gifts and took their first bite of earthly food. Other people brushed much off their coats and celebrated them being on earth. The mother llamas smiled at her daughter. They had made the right decision to help the people and they wouldn't go home until they made sure they could keep everyone safe. The llamas decided they would travel across the Inca Empire and drink from every river, stream and lake, keeping the water levels low.

34:30Just leaving the sacred valley, the llamas followed mountainous trails, dirt paths winding through the rocky mountainside with beautiful views of the valleys below. When they saw a river or stream, they'd descend to it and drink the water until they weren't thirsty anymore. Once they were done drinking, the townspeople would come out to celebrate, sharing food, drink and stories. Rock faces created stunning silhouettes against the sun as the llamas continued walking and swimming. But they knew that to get to the root of the problem, they had to go to the source of the

35:35water. The llamas travelled west across the Empire following dirt paths down the Andes mountains. They turned to night and night to day as the llamas moved downhill. They passed through small towns nestled in the sides of mountains and lush green hillsides with neat farmland. Everywhere they went, the people celebrated their arrival. Children came out to play with the llamas at rivers and streams and everyone would bring a gift of food or art or a tale to share.

36:39As the llamas made their way closer to the coast, the air got thicker with the sense of flowers and fruit trees which lined the winding path. They passed through canyons and gorges and a dust-filled valley where herds of llamas ran back and forth from land to river. Soon, the llamas started to smell the salty air which meant they were getting closer to the coast. The path widened and became a little bit muddy. When the llamas finally made it to the ocean, they paused for a moment to take in the stunning views all around them.

37:42For miles in every direction, dramatic cliffs looked over the blue water. The waves crashed in sweet song and the light danced on the surface. The llamas had seen the blue water of the earth from their home in the night sky but they'd never been so close to it before. It was one of the most beautiful things they'd ever seen. The llamas walked down to the beach, the warm, grainy sand packing together under their hooves. Then they went into the water and drank.

38:44They drank and they drank. The salty water would be harmful to llamas who resided on earth. But since they belonged to the celestial world, the salt nourished them. While they were drinking, all the people from the nearby towns came to watch. They cheered and danced when the llamas finally left the sea. And the llamas knew they'd be leaving the people safe and healthy when they made their journey back to the Milky Way. The people here not only gave them food but gifts of woven art and clothing to adorn

39:47the llamas. After the celebrations, the llamas travelled back from the coast, passed the rocky hillside through valleys and canyons and back to the high mountains of the Andes. They reented to the sacred river and swam and swam until the wetness left them and they could feel the cool creaminess of the Milky Way. There they shook their fur dry. The wet droplets floating out among the stars as they made their way back to their spot on the river.

40:49When the stars came out that night, the llamas could see the people below dancing and celebrating. They were honouring all of the llamas on earth in thanks for what the llamas from the sky had done. The mother looked to her child and said, you were right about helping the people. Since we have our own home here, we all share this world and it's important that we help each other. The baby llamas snuggled up to her mother and replied, the water from earth is now in the Milky Way. We will always be connected and it was true.

41:57The llamas assisted to the people when they could, helping them understand when to plant crops and when to harvest. The people continued to honour the llamas on earth giving them beautiful woven gifts. And in return, the creatures gave all those who honoured them the finest wool on earth. The llamas in the sky loved when the sun set on Cusco and the Milky Way came out. As their shapes were framed by the glowing white and silver around them, they knew that the people below were looking up at them and smiling.

43:03As Havier finishes the story, the lights that were animating the tale fade away and you're left with a magnificent view of the Milky Way. You can see the llamas so clearly now that dark shapes nestled among the white. Soon the ship starts to move again, giving everyone on board a chance to fall asleep or to enjoy the view of the night sky from different angles. As the ship glides through space, you find yourself getting sleepy. You tuck yourself into the blanket and let your eyes close.

44:07Havier lets you know you'll be there throughout the night if you need anything. You're in a perfectly safe and comfortable place to sink into a deep rest. With your eyes still shut, you can hear the gentle humming and fairer sight rocking of the ship. As you fall asleep, dreaming of the dark shapes in the sky.