Staying in Vamoss

• When it’s work time, it matters to work: to produce, to take on tasks, to finish what we start—to not fall into laziness. (In Inca and Quechua culture, there are said to be three sins: lying, stealing, and laziness.)
• Before starting a task, we ask for input.
• We aim to do every task with care, and we complete it—or ensure that it is completed.
• On days we can’t begin with love, we move with responsibility—and we trust that love will meet us once the task is done.
• A task doesn’t end until the work, the materials we used, and the space we worked in are left even cleaner and more orderly than we found them

• We don’t keep personal belongings in shared spaces, nor shared items in personal spaces for long periods.
• Those who create an alcoholic or smoky environment in shared spaces meet their need quietly—without making it conspicuous, and without trying to “expand the circle” around it.
• Everyone has their own diet. We respect each other’s diet and private space—and beyond that, we support it. You may offer; you do not insist.

• Fully equipped. You can cook and eat as you wish.
• And of course, we keep it clean. (:
• We label personal items with “Privado.” We do not use “Privado” items— even for a shared meal—without asking.

• Room and kitchen trash goes into the blue bin in front of the workshop.
• Trash bags are under the kitchen counter.
• We don’t throw away reusable materials.
• We always take out trash bagged, and we replace bags neatly.
• Organic waste goes into the kitchen’s organic bin; when full, it goes to compost.
• Coffee, tea, and mate leftovers go to the base of the flowers—it enriches the soil.
• Used batteries and glass bottles are collected separately—thank you for checking.
• Truly-paper waste is collected separately and burned in the outdoor fire.

• The washing machine is in the downstairs bathroom; it can be used anytime there is enough laundry.
• Natural detergent is right next to it; one full spoon is enough.
• We usually use QuickWash and hang laundry on the garden lines.
• Rooms are handed over clean by Vamoss.
• Each of us is responsible for our own room and linens.
• After using the shared bathroom, we check the shower, toilet, and sink.
• We don’t let dishes pile up in rooms. We wash personal dishes as soon as we bring them into the kitchen.
• The house is cleaned once a week by Vamoss.

• Our taps run with mountain water from Chuecamayo. After filtering, we can drink it directly—may it nourish you.
• Our infrastructure is based on a bio-digester system. This means we only put what comes from our bodies into the drains. Because of this, we live organically and do not use chemical detergents in the house.
• We have hot water 24 hours a day (including the kitchen).
• It may take a few minutes for hot water to reach the tap.
• As throughout South America, we do not throw any trash into the toilet—including toilet paper.
• If you need towels, as with everything, please feel free to ask.

• At sunrise, we open the windows and invite fresh, warm air inside.
• After the evening sun passes behind the mountain, we keep all windows and room doors closed.
• During or after a shower, we open the bathroom window.
• We keep the mosquito screens closed.
• If the wood stove is burning inside, all windows and doors remain closed.

• Before lighting a fire, we make sure no window or door is left open.
• We do not put anything into the stove other than wood (no trash, cigarette butts, seeds, paper, plastic, ash).
• We use the stove’s ash to make soap, so we don’t use paper to start the fire. We begin it with eucalyptus kindling.
• We light the stove with the air intake open; once it catches, we keep the intake low. (The air intake is just above.)
• At the outdoor fire spot, we can burn non-plastic trash.
• Firewood is included in the shared fund; when appropriate, we can take wood from the woodpile as needed.
• If we lit an outdoor fire, we secure it before leaving: we extinguish flames, spread out embers, pour water if there’s wind, and tidy the area.
• We never leave any fire unattended—even a candle.
• The fire extinguisher is right at the entrance.

• We try to give the earth the value it deserves.
• If you’re interested, please reach out. If not, at least support with watering. You’ll see—it’s good for you.
• If you’re unsure, please ask before pruning, harvesting, or similar actions.
• The “Nefs” in us loves bringing everything into the garden; we keep the garden clean and orderly.
• We don’t place metal tools (axe, shears) on the grass so they don’t rust.

• A beautiful dog who lives with us.
• Our baby is born March 2014.
• He happily joins our walks.
• We don’t feed him raw meat. He eats once a day, around 5–6 pm.
• His food is stored in a bucket at the entrance of the house above; his bowl is on the veranda.
• We place his food in his bowl. You can fill the red cup in the bucket to the top. We don’t feed him from our own pots or dishes.
• We treat him like a person: we talk, we explain. Even when loving him, we don’t hurt him, and we don’t force him into anything. We never hit him—under any circumstances.
• We named him “Nefs” to remind ourselves that the adjectives we assign often belong to us more than to him.
• Nefs doesn’t like violence, but he may nip sometimes.
• If you are walking up toward the mountain or the village center and Nefs is with you, please don’t let him wander off—walk while calling him close (“Come Nefs, come!”).
• We didn’t train him formally, but when we speak calmly he understands; he knows words like: No, vamos, come, run, espera (wait).

• We don’t call them names we wouldn’t want said to our own child (like “crazy,” “mad,” “sick”). (“Bandit” is allowed.)
• They are cats—affection on their terms, in their timing (usually slow and gentle).
• We try not to disturb them, and we don’t treat animals as toys or entertainment.
• If their bowl is empty, fill a handful from the food stored under the stairs. If the water bowl is empty, you’ll know—they’ll complain.
• We don’t allow them inside the house.

• In the mornings, we boil water in a pot and fill the thermos; if possible, we tidy up a little.
• At night, before sleeping, we turn off all lights and the sound system; we clear the tables, wish Nefs good night, give him water, and secure the fire.
• If it looks like it may rain, we check outside.

• We usually listen to music on portable speakers.
• If it feels appropriate, we can change the music freely.
• We can make sound and music between 8 am and 9 pm.
• We don’t turn the volume up unnecessarily, and we don’t stay on the same genre for too long.
• We honor the value of a circle formed for making music.

• In our early years, the village’s only internet provider would shut the connection off at night; now we have 24-hour connection.
• Wi-Fi password: ElMensajeeselAmor
• In shared spaces, we go online only briefly. We don’t spend long stretches in common areas with a phone in hand or a laptop on the lap.
• As long as we are using devices to work, of course we may use them anywhere.
• We don’t leave computers or devices in shared spaces; we keep them in our rooms.

• Each room has shelves, a desk, a chair, and a desk lamp.
• If we damage something, we report it and arrange replacement.
• Toilet paper, hand soap, dish detergent, firewood, and laundry detergent are included in the shared fund.
• Hot drinks are always available.
• Thank you for using incense holders for incense, candle holders for candles, and ashtrays for ash. (:

If you notice something missing at home, you can write it in the WhatsApp group—or you can buy it yourself and let us know. To learn what to buy, where, and at what price, please reach out.

• Parents share their parenting approach and anything they want others to be mindful of whenever they feel it’s needed.
• We meet this with the highest respect and care.
• If there is a child under two nearby, or a child who is sleeping, we are especially attentive in our movements and volume.
• We listen to children. We explain things to them. We take them seriously. We learn with them. We play with them. (:
• Children are not the “center” of our community—and yet, yes, they are at its center.
• Without checking with the parents, children should not be given any packaged foods; sugary foods; foods containing dairy; foods containing pork; or foods containing gluten.
• Without the parents’ knowledge, no one leaves the village.

It feels to us that Vamoss has emerged—above all—for people who can sense their intention, choose to walk that path, honor the diet they have committed to, and show full respect for (and even support) the diets of others.

Please do not talk in the house about “different types of getting high,” altered states, or drugs. And if you absolutely must speak about such things, try not to carry the topic through life in those words.

For ten years, the only “warnings” on the wall of Vamoss Home were these:

• Please do not download online. This type of connection is limited in Peru (:
• Please smoke your joint in privacy so that you can take its responsibility and you do not invade people’s privacy.
• Yes, our house is great but do not forget to go outside. There are great paths to walk.

Thanks to our hearts, we know that what we are looking for, is neither on internet, nor what we consume, nor inside the house.

Thank you,