slight bow the girl opens her hands to the store’s entrance. “Hay muchas mas cosas adentro.”
The untidy place looks like something out of a horror movie. Mounted animal heads glare at me with unseeing eyes, feathers and potions adorn the tables, herbs spill from their dirty bags onto the wooden floor as a dog sniffs the powerful smells. I examine the items in no particular order as the girl offers them. For luck with a new business enterprise I can buy a llama fetus burnt on a plate of sweets and herbs – too big to pack. The love amulet is to get married – don’t need that one. An amulet of a naked couple embracing to improve the sex life – hhhmmmmm.
Dried frogs for more money, armadillos to prevent thieves from entering the house, love potions, magic charms, animal skins, medicines and remedies used in Aymara traditions are all for sale – what should I choose?
I notice a large collection of different colored candles. Intent upon making several sales the girl provides me with an explanation of their powers. They are made of animal wax and when burned release their magical properties. The blue candle is for good luck with work, yellow – health, green – money, purple – happiness, black wards off evil spirits, only to be used in a cemetery covered by night, white – protection…
With reverence I pull the black candle off its shelf . “Look at this Vero! This is what we need.”
“Hey Indiana,” she looks up from the naked couple amulet. “I don’t think so.”
Where did I leave my bullwhip?
If the black candle is going to cause problems a few talismans will have to do. I load up ten more in my shoulder bag, making sure that I include the toad talisman for good luck with money, and