I've never been one to go back - I don't even like driving home the same way I drove somewhere.
So I was a bit nervous going back to Peru. I mean, I loved it the first time, but who's to say that the second time could be as good? Mostly I was afraid that I wouldn't love it as much the second time.
Of course, it was going to be different.
The first time, I arrived alone, stayed for two months, and left with a small army of truly wonderful friends.This time? For the first time ever, I was travelling with a partner, and we only had two weeks.
Back in June, it was winter there. But December brings Christmas in summer and falls right in the middle of Cusco's rainy season.
My first visit included a homestay with a Peruvian family, lots of Spanish practice, lots of Salsa lessons, daily excursions into new streets, markets, and stores, volunteering at an orphanage, relaxing afternoons trying out a new cafe with friends, new friends arriving every week, frigid nights just trying to sleep, taking pictures of every new thing I discovered, and attempting to determine if it was a place I'd go back to...
My most recent visit consisted mainly of looking for balances...between relaxing and doing everything, practicing Spanish and translating for Jo, trying new things and showing off the old ones I loved so much the first time, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, hitting the tourist attractions and living a normal Cusqueñan life, spending time together and having our own adventures, and eating at our favorite place every night or venturing some place new.
Added to all the new things we did together, the experience took on a totally new and exciting flavor as I vicariously experienced again the wonder of discovering Cusco for the first time through my sister. The surprises, the pictures, the questions, and the unexpected reactions.
Never has "going back" felt like such an entirely new experience.
And my fears regarding liking it less the second time - totally unfounded! If anything, falling in love for the second time increases the sentiment exponentially.
So, yes, I'm going back. Again.
So I was a bit nervous going back to Peru. I mean, I loved it the first time, but who's to say that the second time could be as good? Mostly I was afraid that I wouldn't love it as much the second time.
Of course, it was going to be different.
The first time, I arrived alone, stayed for two months, and left with a small army of truly wonderful friends.This time? For the first time ever, I was travelling with a partner, and we only had two weeks.
Back in June, it was winter there. But December brings Christmas in summer and falls right in the middle of Cusco's rainy season.
My first visit included a homestay with a Peruvian family, lots of Spanish practice, lots of Salsa lessons, daily excursions into new streets, markets, and stores, volunteering at an orphanage, relaxing afternoons trying out a new cafe with friends, new friends arriving every week, frigid nights just trying to sleep, taking pictures of every new thing I discovered, and attempting to determine if it was a place I'd go back to...
My most recent visit consisted mainly of looking for balances...between relaxing and doing everything, practicing Spanish and translating for Jo, trying new things and showing off the old ones I loved so much the first time, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, hitting the tourist attractions and living a normal Cusqueñan life, spending time together and having our own adventures, and eating at our favorite place every night or venturing some place new.
Added to all the new things we did together, the experience took on a totally new and exciting flavor as I vicariously experienced again the wonder of discovering Cusco for the first time through my sister. The surprises, the pictures, the questions, and the unexpected reactions.
Never has "going back" felt like such an entirely new experience.
And my fears regarding liking it less the second time - totally unfounded! If anything, falling in love for the second time increases the sentiment exponentially.
So, yes, I'm going back. Again.
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