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Location: Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
It’s almost unbelievable that three weeks has passed. Looking back, thinking of everything that we’ve done – all of the laughs, singing on the bus, every little thing we shared – those moments make the time fly faster than you can ever expect. It seems like only two days ago we all met at the airport. I looked through my journal seeing that I wrote, “We all met, I think this is going to be great”…oh it is so much better than that. This experience topped every expectation.
Looking at Cuzco, thinking that I know my way around is so absurd and amazing. Walking around feels like this is the place where you’re supposed to be. Where everyone on the street says hi and ask if they can help, where smiling for not having a reason at all is the best reason to smile. And trust me, the smiles never left our faces. Laughing together, being together, it all feels like we have known each other for so long, yet it went by so fast.
The days are passing – each one is more exciting than the other, each day brings with it so much to every one of us.
Today we went white water rafting, and had the time of our lives, the smile never left my face, singing in the rafts, talking, looking at the breath-taking views is a once in a lifetime experience together. Seeing Veronica, the huge mountains, beautiful birds, seeing everybody paddle together, that is all I need. In case you wondered, our team most definitely won!
After a great lunch, we started our way back to Cuzco, proving once again that Willy is the best driver there is. The drives are a lot of fun, talking, getting to know each other better, laughing, laughing a lot, singing, singing a lot.
It’s an amazing reminder for me to see how much we all have in common, no matter where we are from, no matter if we even speak the same language, it’s an amazing opportunity. I feel like we are all the same and so different at the same time.
Writing this is so hard because there are so many things I want to write about, so many things I want to share. If I had to pick only one last thing to share I’d say thank you, to all of our parents and friends back home. A huge thank you to everyone who shared this experience with us, all of the people we were fortunate to meet and talk to, to our unbelievably amazing leaders who have been there every step of the way (you guys rock), and to everyone who made this a reality. For me, this was most definitely an experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I have so many amazing stories that somehow I was fortunate to be a part of. Thank you so much for letting my smile get wider.
Dear future Lifeworks Peru student:
First of all, you are awesome! You are going to have the time of your life. Don’t forget to write things down; you’re going to want to remember every little moment. Now thinking of going back home is weird, because how can I leave all of this behind. But the fact is that it all became a huge part of me. Be open, help one another, be you, you are awesome. Be careful with this wheelbarrow, don’t underestimate them! Trust me. Have the best time ever. It’s as simple as that.