She´s ALIVE!

Well, Dana and Jo’s whirlwind trip has come and gone and now I’m really down to the wire with my own time here in Peru…I wake up every day knowing I have one day less to spend in this beautiful, magical place. Of course this makes me appreciate it all the more but sometimes the sadness of leaving this experience strikes at random times and its hard to fight the tears which come with leaving my life here.

I think when I came it was with the least expectation possible and for the most part that has worked well. I had some hard times but the good (if not amazing) far outweighed those times when being away from home was trying, overwhelming or difficult. The most pleasant surprise is how at home I feel here now- it hasn’t just been an extended holiday or immersion experience its been an extension of myself and my life. I had always seen myself living abroad and traveling but to come to Peru to live for a while and find a life for myself here has been the greatest reward imaginable, while also making my departure practically impossible.

I still have two weeks, but only one of those will be in Cusco, wrapping up loose ends, saying goodbye to my wonderful friends and trying to live Cusco life to the fullest while I still can. Next week I leave for a week of traveling to Lima via Arequipa, Colca Canyon and the Nazca Lines. I’ll have a few days in Lima and then, well who knows when I’ll be back. I am telling myself that it will be sooner than I think and that time will fly once I’m back in the routine of school, work and life in the insanity of NOVA. We shall see.

Now, aside from the inner dwellings of my mind these days, I have to say what an amazing time I had with Dana and Jo while they were here (I think they should just be about making it back as I write this). We did and saw more than I did with any visitor yet, shared lots of laughs (including the biggest beer ever- yum Chicha and Jo actually liked it!)
and caught up as only old friends can do. From the second they got here we were off and running, to the Sunday market in Pisac, the last of the Fiestas Patrias in Poroy at Action Valley with all my friends hiking all over the ruins in Cusco, cruising the Sacred Valley in the worlds most unreliable, old and ugly car, hiking more than I ever thought possible (imagine what they thought!), mountain climbing and all this BEFORE Machu Picchu. It was quite a week and it certainly flew by but obviously not without a fair share of everything Cusco has to offer and I am so glad I could share that with them!

Things wound down with what was a fabulous meal at my favorite restaurant in Cusco but regrettably we were all reminded of it by being sick all day yesterday. Fortunately for me I was at home but poor Dana and Jo were stuck in Lima all day waiting for their plane and sick to boot…hopefully they ride hope wasn’t so eventful as the day preceding it.

In case I didn’t mention before this as I hadn’t posted in awhile, but the Fiestas Patrias were amazing after my return from Bolivia and every night found us at a different party with good friends, sharing fun times. I also made it to Action Valley twice and while I didn’t bungee jump I did the catapult which slings you from the ground 600 feet up into the air- CAH-RAZY! As soon as I reached the zero point my legs just started running on their own, as if I had anywhere to go! The day also included lots of dancing, BBQ and friends. Fortunately for Dana and Jo we were so tired by Saturday that we stayed in which meant we were somewhat in one piece by their arrival last Sunday. Now, keeping with my theory that Peruvians, especially in the Andes will always look for an excuse to party this weekend (and week it seems) is the birthday of Saint Christopher after which my neighborhood and church (500 feet from my house) is named and there have been celebrations all weekend long, including the obligatory marching bands and fireworks. Maybe it seems like the parties are constant because it rains the other half of the year and they have to get the celebrations out of the way before the rain starts. Certainly when I was here in January I didn’t see one marching band and they have become a daily affair.

I’ll try to keep updating as I head back to Lima and leave my lovely little house here in Cusco and hopefully the next posts won’t be so backwards as well...Until then, stay safe and see you soon :)




(Yes, Dana and Jo mountain climbing!!)


See Bolivia post (two below) for lots of very belated but cool pics!