A despacho, rather than gazpacho, is perfect for a summer evening

Kerry A. Thompson

​A​lthough garden abundance sometimes turns into the cold summer soup, gazpacho, Tom turned our garden gifts into a despacho tonight instead.

Reminiscent of the despachos (translated as "gifts") he offered in the Andes mountains of Peru when he studied with the Incan shamans, this despacho has three layers. ​The first layer, Uhupacha, represents what lies under the earth (potatoes), the middle layer, Kaypacha, represents the surface where we live (tomatoes and peppers), and the top layer, Hanaqpacha, uses lettuce to represent the clouds, Source, and universal knowledge that exist above the earth. 

Tom could feel the life energy of the recently picked vegetables emanating strongly. How lucky we are to be able to grow some of our own food!