The long and short of today is that I left Cusco and arrived a couple hours later in Lima.
It sounds so simple when you say it like that, and it is simple. But that doesn't mean it was easy. Because I spend 7 week in Cusco, I had a life there, I had friends there, I knew where all the right restaurants were, all the Mini Markets and how late they were open, all the public restrooms, all the best (and worst) Wi-Fi spots, all the markets, I was even starting to get a handle on where the ice cream vendors parked, hospitals, travel agencies, the dried fruit store, the best place to find chocolate, where to buy which type of souvenir, which roads to avoid after dark and which were safe, which clubs to go to with whom and on which night, which stores had refrigerated (safe) drinkable yogurt, and to top it all off I knew the cheapest places to get chicken, tres leches, soap, water, and the cheapest international ATMs.
In short, I was comfortable in Cusco. From the first day I felt at home, by the end of my third day I was done getting lost, and by the end of my first week I could accurately predict where any road would come out. After one afternoon in Lima I feel like I could live here for the rest of my life and see something new every day. (That's oddly exciting, but hardly comforting.)
I knew the people in the school, and they all knew me. I knew the people in my house, and they all knew me. I knew all the people in one of the clubs, and all the people in every club knew me. (I'd rather not explain that here... But it's good, I'm sure!) Here, I know no one. Literally, there is no one in Lima who knows or cares that I am here, let alone who would go out of their way to do anything for me. (I also find the anonymity of this predicament oddly exciting, but not at all reassuring.)
Cusco was sunny and warm and full of tourists. Lima is gray and rainy and full of Peruvians. Which is actually pretty awesome. I'd never seen a black Peruvian before today. Or a blond one. So Lima's not so bad. But really, what's which these clouds? Cusco seemed welcoming even in all of it's brownness. The flowers here in Lima are shockingly colorful compared to the gray that seems to permeate not only the sky but even the air.
I went out to look for food tonight, strangely several of the places were familiar: Burger King, Subway, McDonalds, and even Pizza Hut. But why?!?! Who wanted that crap anyway - where is my Pollería, Cafe and Chocolate, and Jugería? Lima is obviously a whole new playing field. And I miss my Cusco.
There's no one to show me around here, I guess I'll have to brave it myself.
There's no one to show me how to use the buses here. I guess I'll just stay within walking distance.
There's no one to go salsa dancing with me, I guess I'll actually sleep a little here!
Ok, so Lima's not all bad. Getting here is a wonderful thing and I think the next few days could be great. But I still miss Cusco.
It sounds so simple when you say it like that, and it is simple. But that doesn't mean it was easy. Because I spend 7 week in Cusco, I had a life there, I had friends there, I knew where all the right restaurants were, all the Mini Markets and how late they were open, all the public restrooms, all the best (and worst) Wi-Fi spots, all the markets, I was even starting to get a handle on where the ice cream vendors parked, hospitals, travel agencies, the dried fruit store, the best place to find chocolate, where to buy which type of souvenir, which roads to avoid after dark and which were safe, which clubs to go to with whom and on which night, which stores had refrigerated (safe) drinkable yogurt, and to top it all off I knew the cheapest places to get chicken, tres leches, soap, water, and the cheapest international ATMs.
In short, I was comfortable in Cusco. From the first day I felt at home, by the end of my third day I was done getting lost, and by the end of my first week I could accurately predict where any road would come out. After one afternoon in Lima I feel like I could live here for the rest of my life and see something new every day. (That's oddly exciting, but hardly comforting.)
I knew the people in the school, and they all knew me. I knew the people in my house, and they all knew me. I knew all the people in one of the clubs, and all the people in every club knew me. (I'd rather not explain that here... But it's good, I'm sure!) Here, I know no one. Literally, there is no one in Lima who knows or cares that I am here, let alone who would go out of their way to do anything for me. (I also find the anonymity of this predicament oddly exciting, but not at all reassuring.)
Cusco was sunny and warm and full of tourists. Lima is gray and rainy and full of Peruvians. Which is actually pretty awesome. I'd never seen a black Peruvian before today. Or a blond one. So Lima's not so bad. But really, what's which these clouds? Cusco seemed welcoming even in all of it's brownness. The flowers here in Lima are shockingly colorful compared to the gray that seems to permeate not only the sky but even the air.
I went out to look for food tonight, strangely several of the places were familiar: Burger King, Subway, McDonalds, and even Pizza Hut. But why?!?! Who wanted that crap anyway - where is my Pollería, Cafe and Chocolate, and Jugería? Lima is obviously a whole new playing field. And I miss my Cusco.
There's no one to show me around here, I guess I'll have to brave it myself.
There's no one to show me how to use the buses here. I guess I'll just stay within walking distance.
There's no one to go salsa dancing with me, I guess I'll actually sleep a little here!
Ok, so Lima's not all bad. Getting here is a wonderful thing and I think the next few days could be great. But I still miss Cusco.
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