As you could probably tell from my last post, my original plans have changed quite a bit. Originally I intended to stay in Peru for 3 months, traveling a bit after I finished my volunteer work, and arriving home in time for the wedding of a close family friend. However, I realized quite quickly I would need more time abroad and decided to return to the marvelous city of Buenos Aires after my time in Peru. I found a cheap flight, arranged to stay with friends for at least a month and that was that. I leave for BA a week from Sunday and I am really looking forward to it!
For the moment, I am sitting in the courtyard of my hostal in Arequipa. Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru (3rd being Trujillo). It is located in the south and many people come here en route to Lake Titicaca and Cusco (Machu Picchu) in particular, which is exactly what i am doing. Arequipa, as far as I can tell, is a really beautiful city. The scenery is flanked by 3 large volcanoes that neighbor it. I was almost surprised by the beauty of Arequipa upon entering. The plaza de armas is full of large trees and white stone structures. After spending so much time in the desert, this is a very welcome change of scenery.
I'm feeling much more energized and less emotional than in my last post, excited for the journey that lay ahead. Tonight I will travel to Puno, which is the city closest to Lake Titicaca. Tomorrow I will take a day trip to the islands on the lake. After that I will travel again by bus to Cusco where I will spend the week. I'm really looking forward to being in one place for a substantial amount of time. Since Monday, I have traveled from the beach town of Mancora in the very north of Peru to Arequipa in the very south. Lots of busses to say the least. Thank goodness for bus cama (very comfy seats). When I arrive to Cusco I plan to book a 3-4 day trek to Machu Picchu. I didn't come very prepared for hiking and camping but am crossing my fingers that my gear is just fine.
I'm beginning to meet people in the hostals and fall into the groove of backpacking in South America. It's a way of life for a temporary period of time, but its amazing how many people are doing exactly the same thing. Sometimes when you are surrounded by thousands of people you can feel very lonely, and sometimes when you are all by yourself you can feel comforted with knowing you are really not alone at all.
Friday, November 5, 2010
On to the next chapter...
I have just arrived in Lima after 3 months in Trujillo. I am much, much sadder than I predicted I would be even days before leaving. I felt sad the week before I left. Sad to leave the friends I made, the city I came to know and the children at SKIP I grew to love. Not to mention some romance to boot.
At the same time, I was ready to leave. Although I enjoyed the work I was doing with SKIP I also grew a bit bored of it at the same time. Also, living in a house with nearly 20 people can be tiring at times.
However, as I sit here in my hostel in Lima, I feel a myriad of emotions. I am very sad to have left my life in Trujillo and the friends I made. I feel a bit lonely right now and I think it may be because I am used to having someone around me at all times. I'm nervous for the rest of my journey, as it will be a much more solitary experience. I often forget how difficult change is for me and become shocked at my emotions each and every time I experience a great change. It's hard to prepare yourself for an emotion you do not feel at that moment. Looking back, the people at SKIP were incredible and I feel so lucky to have met them all. I miss them so much already.
My experience at SKIP was about coming to know a new culture, meeting new friends from all over the world, and gaining experience working with children and families living in extreme poverty.
I am looking ahead to the rest of my journey and I am yearning for a friend by my side. Hopefully I will meet people while traveling and hopefully I will not feel lonely in Buenos Aires. I am reminding myself of the fortune I have to be able to travel like this. I am also reminding myself I have spent the last 24 hours traveling by bus and I am very, very tired. I do another 15 hours on bus tomorrow and I feel it is too much. Perhaps I will look into a flight. It is nearly 10pm and I am hoping for a good 9 hours of sleep (just enough to wake up in time for breakfast).
I'm looking forward to feeling refreshed tomorrow and continuing to reflect on past, present and future.
At the same time, I was ready to leave. Although I enjoyed the work I was doing with SKIP I also grew a bit bored of it at the same time. Also, living in a house with nearly 20 people can be tiring at times.
However, as I sit here in my hostel in Lima, I feel a myriad of emotions. I am very sad to have left my life in Trujillo and the friends I made. I feel a bit lonely right now and I think it may be because I am used to having someone around me at all times. I'm nervous for the rest of my journey, as it will be a much more solitary experience. I often forget how difficult change is for me and become shocked at my emotions each and every time I experience a great change. It's hard to prepare yourself for an emotion you do not feel at that moment. Looking back, the people at SKIP were incredible and I feel so lucky to have met them all. I miss them so much already.
My experience at SKIP was about coming to know a new culture, meeting new friends from all over the world, and gaining experience working with children and families living in extreme poverty.
I am looking ahead to the rest of my journey and I am yearning for a friend by my side. Hopefully I will meet people while traveling and hopefully I will not feel lonely in Buenos Aires. I am reminding myself of the fortune I have to be able to travel like this. I am also reminding myself I have spent the last 24 hours traveling by bus and I am very, very tired. I do another 15 hours on bus tomorrow and I feel it is too much. Perhaps I will look into a flight. It is nearly 10pm and I am hoping for a good 9 hours of sleep (just enough to wake up in time for breakfast).
I'm looking forward to feeling refreshed tomorrow and continuing to reflect on past, present and future.
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