South America – Here I Come!

Tomorrow I leave for South America!! I am intrigued by the Andes, the llamas, the salsa and the snippets that I know of Incan history. And I am fascinated by what appears to be hearty and resilient people. People who not only survive in drastic climates and wild landscapes, but in fact appear to thrive and live joyfully. I used to teach school in Alberta and the kids learn about Peru in Grade 3. Learning about the Peruvian people through the eyes of the kids that I taught made an impression on me. It is such a dramatic difference in living and I am excited to spend 3 whole months in South America and especially, Peru.

This will be the 4th time that I have attempted to visit Peru (stories for another day). I am really hoping that the 4th time is the charm, as they say (no one says that, I know). First, I will be going to Colombia for a couple of weeks, and after Peru, I am planning to visit Bolivia. However, I am most excited about not only visiting, but living, in Cusco, Peru.

Why 3 months in Cusco? Truthfully, I was originally going to live and teach English in Cusco for 6 months. However, some annoying “life stuff” happened and I had to postpone my flight (flight #3). Sadly, the institute had to find another teacher. It was very disappointing but then I decided to silver line it and go anyways. I really want to experience living somewhere wildly different from what I am used to. Travelling to new places is always super exciting but I have discovered that what I really love is getting to know a new place intimately. I love to find the tiny and unique museum that most tourists don’t visit. I really love spending hours wandering around local neighborhoods and finding a great local bookstore. And I really, really love being somewhere long enough to find MY favorite coffeeshop and the cheapest place to have a really great lunch while people-watching.

I’m also excited to see who I am in South America, but especially Peru. One of the really cool things about travel, for me anyways, is that when I learn about how other people live and I am able to experience their culture, learn about their history, and get to know their values and traditions…. well, it makes me reflect on my own culture (or lack of), my beliefs, values and traditions, and simply how I move through the world. I can’t wait to see how Peru changes me. I am excited to see what lessons I will learn and how, if it does, it shifts my beliefs and values. Every time I leave a new place, I feel I am a different person than when I arrived and that’s pretty freaking awesome.

And truthfully, I am really looking forward to settle in one place for more than 2 weeks. To fully unpack my suitcases sounds absolutely divine. And setting up my teaching station and leaving it out will be a treat! Lastly, the time to figure out where everything is in the local grocery store (unfamiliar grocery stores is one of the lows of nomadic life) – well that will be a pleasure that may be hard for most people to understand but a pleasure it will be. And hopefully I will make some new friends there. I have been very happy to explore someplace new every 2 to 3 weeks for the past year but I am also really excited to plant myself in Cusco and see how I grow 🙂

But first, Colombia!! I am not sure why, but going to Colombia solo feels really bad-ass. Honestly, I am not sure if my ass is bad enough but I’ll keep you posted.

This is me at the top of Picaya Volcano in Guatemala, where I did indeed feel like a bad-ass 🙂

I hope you follow along my South American journey – I loved Bogota and Peru stole my heart.

https://theanalognomad.ca/bogota-and-leaving-kansas/

https://theanalognomad.ca/sacred-valley-always-finding-something-wondrous/

https://theanalognomad.ca/peru-with-parker-drenched-confused-delighted/