El Peru Glorioso

Time flies! Two years have passed since I returned home from my eight month stint in Peru. Memories overwhelm the heart...the vibrancy of life, the daily community, the importance of family, the connection to the earth, powerful cultural identity, love for others, beauty and tragedy both an integral part of daily existence. Please indulge my reminiscing:)


Some kiddos in Trujillo, so full of life, energy, exuberance. No video games, tv, cable, or internet to turn them into mindless drones. The trappings of American culture are basically non-existent, such a different lifestyle. They play, work, love, live, and become some of the most present and aware people I have ever met.


I was tricked into climbing up to this mountain in Huaraz, the city itself has an elevation of 10,000 feet. The hike involved pretzel sticks, breathtaking views, a Peruvian sherpa (truly), altitude sickness, being lowered down the side of a cliff by a rope tied around my waist, an impending black angry thunderstorm, sleet, and sheer determination. There is nothing so empowering as being duped into an arduous challenge and conquering it.


My friends Mary, James, and Michelle flew down for a long weekend. We went to Cusco,

and Machu Picchu.


All the interns took a trip to Argentina to visit Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Iguazu. This whirlwind adventure was defined by mate de coca, tango, the best ice cream in the world, tango, a rainy midnight bus crash, a bicycling wine tour, tango, riding a speed boat under a waterfall, "seeing" Brazil, a million hours on the road, motion sickness, friendly butterflies, backpacking, etc.


My sweet friend Lucia. She always called me her twin because we were born on the same day. I miss her.