So Many Places

I have left my heart in so many places. 

I haven't quite wrapped my mind around it, but it's time to say goodbye to this semester, to all of the amazing people I've come to know and love, and to this crazy beautiful, diverse, troubled, and wonderful place that is Peru. I will miss it all. And yet, I am so excited to return home, to see my family, friends, and fiance, and to prepare for whatever new adventure life throws for me. 

This has, without a doubt, been the semester of a lifetime: 

I watched the sun set over the ocean.

I settled into a new house and university.

I played in magical fountains.

I swam in the Pacific.

I saw sea lions and penguins at the Islas Palominos.

I went sandboarding and dune-buggy riding in the desert and watched the most beautiful sunset.

I flew over the Nazca Lines.

I saw mummies. 

I visited the oldest civilization in the Americas. 

I celebrated Semana Santa with festivals, bull pulls, and enormous candle-lit floats.

I was proposed to in the most magical spot in the world. 

I visited ruins in the heart of the city.

I traveled to Machu Picchu and hiked this mountain.

I ventured off the beaten path and had my breath taken away.

I volunteered in a city built on a sand dune and met some of the strongest people I know.

                                                 

I wandered into the jungle and spent a week learning and volunteering.

I celebrated my 20th birthday.

I made it back to the jungle where I saw river dolphins, held a sloth, and swam in the Amazon.

I learned about Afro-Peruvian culture in El Carmen.

I celebrated Inti Raymi in Incan ruins.

I flew over Lima as a goodbye.

I traveled to Cieneguilla and went horseback riding.

I visited the girls' shelter in Cusco one last time.

I toured Cusco on my own for a day.

I visited a yacht club in Chorrillos with my host family.

And I said goodbye to some of the best friends I've ever had! 

*Apologies. This post was written months ago and I never got around to posting it*

Excited

This week has gone by in a blur and, unfortunately, I haven't been very good at taking pictures! I completed my first week of classes at PUCP! That in itself feels like an accomplishment. I got myself to and from the university on combi four days in a row and sat through more classes than I have ever sat through in one week because it was "shopping week" when we got to give classes a trial run before registering. Another big accomplishment this week: I finally made the decision and committed to being an RA next year! Not a Nobel Prize or an ultramarathon, maybe, but it feels like a successful week to me! 

PUCP!

Classes were: intimidating, interesting, overwhelming, intriguing, and boring all at the same time. I narrowed down my choices and know which classes I'm going to attempt to register for tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have to leave for the university at 6 a.m.-- yikes! 


Thursday afternoon, I arrived home from classes and shortly after relatives began arriving for a birthday party for my Peruvian dad Ramón! We had cake and ice cream and sang "Happy Birthday" to him! My "host sister" Paige also arrived. She lived with the Vargas-Murillo's a year ago and was back for a few days to visit! It was nice meeting her and having a tour guide/trip advisor for a few days! 

The whole family celebrating the "santo" for Ramón! 

Thursday evening, Paige and I walked to Parque Kennedy to visit a native artisan market and then strolled through some other markets nearby. I bought a few little things and got some ideas for the future! Friday, after a morning run, Paige, Ignacio, and I headed to the beach to swim and relax! After dinner with the family, I headed out for my first experience of Lima nightlife with a bunch of the other IFSA students! We didn't go too crazy-- just had a drink at a bar called "El Tayta" near Parque Kennedy, but it was fun to hang out and meet some Peruvians as well! I tried a "Chilcano"-- the famous Peruvian Pisco with ginger ale and lemon! It was pretty tasty and I got to cross off one more "Peruvian to-do"! 


Saturday morning meant getting up early to head out with six other students to the port of Callao where we boarded a boat to tour the Islas Palominos! I wasn't sure if the tour would be worth the money, but it was way better than I expected! First of all, we had the most beautiful day-- there was literally not a cloud in the sky for most of it, quite unusual in Lima! We not only got to see zillions of sea lions (lobos del mar) and penguins, but as we were cruising through the islands, five or six dolphins decided to come swim alongside our boat! That was pretty incredible! The islands were beautiful-- desert-like, rocky, and almost other-worldly. If you're ever in Lima, I definitely recommend taking a day to do experience these islands! 

Sea lions, or lobos del mar, on the Islas Palominos. 

I thought the rocky islands were incredibly beautiful! They're covered in guano, which used to be one of Peru's top exports! Hooray for bird poo! 

Humboldt penguins, the only type of penguins in Peru.

I also got to meet with two NGOs this weekend: Building Dignity and Casa de Panchita. They both seem like incredible organizations, but I'm leaning towards working with Building Dignity in Villa El Salvador. I have a few ideas for projects I might do with them... more to come soon! 


I'm so excited for all of the upcoming events, trips, and fun! Next weekend, we're planning to head to Huacachina, a desert oasis, then it's Caral, Ayacucho, Huaca Pucllana, and Cusco back to back! On top of that, I'll start work with an NGO, start training for a half-marathon, and am going to be cooking for my host family in a couple weeks! It's going to be so busy and fun! I just have to squeeze in a little schoolwork too!