I don’t specifically include the name of the second Peruvian organization, where I volunteered. I do this by design. As I was writing a bit about this earlier, I don’t include it, because of some idiosyncrasies of the leadership. I want to be mindful. However, as I wholeheartedly support their mission and good intentions, I am happy to share details to get you there volunteering via email. cassandrajohnson@riskysafetravels.com.
The logo I had found, in literature and online, hovering over their wonderful mission statement to educate street children and other under-served children was exactly how the volunteer hostel appeared in real life. I had been making my way there since my challenging but magical time in Pisco, Peru, followed by my trip to Arequipa andmy harrowing journey to Machu Picchu and other intriguing sites. This would be my last hostel experience in Cusco, and it was ironic because this put me back in a not-so-safe area. As I wrote earlier, I began my time in a different risky part of the city. I later moved to a centrally safe location and now was finding myself back in dangerous territory. This time was different. I felt safe, 90% of the time. I was in my element and there is safety in numbers. I was also distracted by my new volunteer mission and spending time with more like-minded travelers.
The only oddity was the invisible
barrier between the long-time volunteers and us new ones. It is not to say they
didn’t take their time with us, explaining their methods and preferences and
even dining and dancing the night away with us. It was simply that there was an
energy almost as if they were more evolved. Understandably, they were more
indoctrinated into the organization and its… well…organization. Connections
came in fleeting moments. Some momentary concern for our safety or a physical
attraction (undeniable chemistry) between old and new. Game night and lunch fundraisers.
This was all. Admittedly, this includes a lot, but the boundary remained. If
they knew we were staying longer, certainly there would have been some more
softening.
My first day, I was to meet with one of the Directors who would explain some methods, some ground rules. He was nice. British and Indian. We sat down in the office/media room in front of one of a few community computers. He talked about how I would work alongside other co-teachers, how each grade level was charmingly represented by a different fruit. Each week would have a theme (I found this so cute because I digress mentally to how each episode of Sesame Street had a revolving theme). Every element of instruction would connect back to the main ideas, whether this was during the classroom instruction, game time, physical recreation, or art. At the end of the week, each class would put on a show according to the theme, one which they had practiced with the teachers and the school would be especially opened to families and other visitors for a celebratory performance.
Typically, each day, the children would come together, leaving their respective classrooms, as one of the Directors gave a values-based lesson. Good ethics were endlessly reiterated, and the children were reminded to behave as nice, respectful members of the community in and outside the classroom.
So, it went. I would have my initiation into a place with energy that was welcoming but with a protected heart (I don’t think the Directors wanted to be too open to temporary bodies passing through). We were appreciated for our time, but the Founder especially made a point of reminding us how we were not central to the structure. So very different from the open arms in Pisco.
In Cusco, we were only a link in a chain, a link that extended a bit of a distance. We taught and played. Mostly, we shared a lot of work and a single objective to grow the gifts the many children already possessed.
Back to the
trekking part of our mission. This included our journey on the bus to the bus
drop off for our hiking, lunch, sites along the way, dinner and settling into
our overnight lodging to get a bit of rest before our Machu Picchu visit the
next day: The long bus ride led us around some mountains that very much
reminded me of those cartoons with a vehicle traveling around cliffs just wide
enough to fit it. Dinner was included in the package. Our trek would consist of
a 4-hour walk to Ollayantambo, which was closer to 5 hours.
The curiosity was spilling over from the Argentinian young ladies sitting near me during dinner. I was waiting for the questions to begin. I know we looked quite different from each other and I get it and I more so welcome the appreciation of my journey versus quiet presumptions. Certain questions appeared to be more the norm during the touristy parts of my journeys rather than during the volunteer portions, although I was questioned there as well. I am good with being the ambassador, to represent all the brown American girls that can be backpackers too, but admittedly it sometimes does get tiring. You know how people are individuals and what not but it’s nice to represent as well. It’s also nice to be admired and respected as well for having some adventure in your heart and it’s quite fun to gradually share unexpected answers with people, as they try to find clever ways to ask where you’re from, why you’re traveling, what you’ve done and as you let them know that yes, you know Spanish. Quite crafty to show up in places you weren’t necessarily expected to be, when you were not even trying to be crafty at all.
Of all the places that I planned on touring and that I had the pleasure of seeing during my time in Peru, Machu Picchu could not be missed. I was determined to visit this Wonder of the World and was nearly 100% certain that it was going to happen. I believed this every time I heard Pisco volunteers talk about all the various treks to get there and their recent experiences. All the other tourist attractions I sought along the way were more so decided upon, once I had arrived.
The most popular trek I heard about was the Inca trail, a 4-5 day hiking trail in which you would mirror the path that the Incans did regularly. The Salkantay trek (Salcantay trail), that could include horseback riding, hiking and camping was another popular one. I didn’t feel as if I had a lot of time, so I embarked on what was known as the 1-day (mini) Inca trail. This involved touring and getting most of the way to the train line in which we would leave our bus and hike for about 4 to 5 hours to Ollantaytambo. We would have dinner (we had eaten lunch during a stopover on the bus) and we would spend the night in one of two no-frill hotels and continue up to the Machu Picchu the next morning. Even this mini Incan trail proved to be a bit strenuous for me. The 4-hour walk grew longer. Thank goodness to a Chilean, (now mostly Facebook) friend who would help me on one particularly steep juncture and thank goodness for coincidences which I will expand on later. (Additionally, having heard there is no such thing as mere coincidences, I can appreciate that what seemed just circumstances really did turn out to mean a lot more). At the time, however, I would be thanking all my lucky stars for what eventually unfolded.
I bonded with 3 Brazilian guys that were a part of my tour group. Well, mainly I spoke to their “spokesperson” – who I suppose was the most outgoing one (the others would just smile and nod).
Primarily, I recall there being one large group of us heading towards Machu Picchu until they separated some of us out. First, they did it between two buses. The 3 Brazilian guys and a few other people were with me. Unlike us, most everyone on this trek was on holiday from Argentina or Chile. Similarly, I met a lot of Argentinian and Chilean people in various parts of Cusco, throughout my entire stay there. There were a lot of other various visitors – but just recalling especially that these two countries were well represented. That’s understandable, proximity wise. It also makes sense that I’d have a lot of interesting memories around them.
It was a wonder how they were dividing us up. I am not sure about the specifics behind it, but our group had fewer people and I almost felt like we were with the less popular tour leader. How that popularity was noted was beyond me. He seemed fine. My other thought, like another tour I had taken in Arequipa, was that they wanted to keep the Spanish speakers with one tour guide, and to put us, the mostly non-native/second language Spanish speakers with the other. I speak Spanish, as a second learned language. (which is interesting because they can’t just casually ask if I would prefer to go here and there, thinking that I will be welcoming about it. I end up coming off as indifferent). However, I’m guessing that may have been their best generalization of the easiest way to divide us up. Hotel choices were a bit similar, as far as just overnight lodging. Again, I remember there seemed to be fewer people assigned to my hotel versus the second choice that was a part of the trek package. That split was further random. The Brazilian gentlemen were not staying in my hotel and there were a couple of guys from Argentina staying in mine, as we three made plans to finish the hike up the rest of the way the following morning. (Everyone would do this from their respective hotels). Still, to me it would have made sense to just divide us more equally in half to make the groups manageable.
What if that was the intention, but people chose not to be with my group leader. I continued to find him likeable. I recall him being booed a little over dinner when he did his announcements. The mystery remained unsolved.
I quickly realized it was time to get back to just depending on me as I was preparing to travel from the Peruvian city of Arequipa to Cusco, Peru.
Although I was going to miss having a temporary travel partner, this was going to be a good change. Self-reliance had been my typical method to and from my South American destinations, though my clear intentions were to consistently meet up with people.
It
was especially important that I get back to solo traveling – because that
allowed me the freedom to diligently follow the paths that I found dear. This synced
with my call to community and volunteering. It has also added to the solo
travel tips I have to share with you (can’t forget those along with my random thoughts
and experiences).
There
was more that made me realize how important it was for me to get back to solo
destination travel. I realized it was also rather easy to develop codependency
(both lightweight and not so lightweight). I took note when my travel friend had
asked another adventurer if she was traveling alone. His question held the awe
of already sensing the answer, and I quickly needed to remind myself that, hey,
I too, had begun like her. (Naturally, like us, she was making friends along
the way). I reminded myself that this is also how I would continue to the next
spot and much later to the Bolivian cities of La Paz, Sucre and Cochabamba. It’s
sometimes too easy to dismiss your own journey. (literally and figuratively). Don’t
let others help you do it either, even when it’s not their intention.
Naturally (biologically),
we do depend on others to survive and participate properly in life, but a good
amount of self-reliance is important as well. An international travel partner
can provide a good buddy system. You can look out for one another’s safety, and
literally share the load of convenient travel gear you need like insect
repellent and sunscreen. You can provide each other with moral support and
crafty suggestions.
It was
simply that I needed to rediscover my own gumption. I needed a reminder of how self-assured,
friendly, outgoing and diligent I could be in a foreign country and so, although
I had enjoyed his company, I found that my preference was much more in line
with the comradery that came with forming bonds in the local and volunteering
community. This would be followed by challenging myself to do more. (Of course,
this is not to say that socializing and appreciating my surroundings was ever
overlooked. Additionally, this mostly just describes my persona during those South
American traveling days. I like to think of the modern me as a better more
well-rounded travel companion).
As
far as volunteer goals went in Cusco, I was planning to connect to a specific
organization that had captured my heart, one that I had already imagined assisting
with in some way. Unfortunately, once I did get to this point, I didn’t have
the benefit of connecting with its very long-time volunteers. This was the
complete opposite of the group I consider to be pretty much kinfolk – my fellow Pisco Sin
Fronteras volunteers. I found this to be a complete change to the
grittiness and beauty that mutually linked me to them, but due to that very bond,
however, I could easily understand how this group had underwent a similar
experience in Cusco.
Their
clique was really just about six people, but it was intriguingly tight. I respected
that. I became a lot closer to the newly arrived volunteers and this is not to
say that the several of us, newbies, did not connect on some level with the veterans.
We just laughingly noticed that there was a barrier we would not be crossing. Only
certain circumstances showcased their concern such as a physical attraction to
one of us or noting that we were about to traverse into some physically
dangerous situations. Never mind our group fundraising activities, nights out
dancing, laughing or chatting. Bonding was fleeting and I’m actually glad nothing can compare to what
I experienced in Pisco.
I purposely
don’t mention the name of the organization in Cusco, though its mission is equally
as outstanding as the ones held by PSF and Proyecto Horizonte.
(I can include special details if you are especially interested and inbox me here. I’m certain a lot
has changed since my time there. I can share what I know.)
Pausing for a moment, before I go deeper into my volunteer stint in Cusco, I will throw out an overview of my initial days in this breezy, coldish part of Peru (I was there during rainy season). My main plans included Machu Picchu, sites like Sacred Valley, cathedrals, museums, ruins and more. I would need to strategically structure my time before traveling into the more, not so safe area of Cusco where I would be volunteering as a teacher to underserved children. I think I did a pretty decent job of managing the time I had. Still I wished for more and I’ve thought about living there for a few months each year.
Mapping
out a decent bus ride from Arequipa was the first step. I was set with a nice
bus company (word-of-mouth reviews are gold), and having found a properly
reviewed hostel on hostel.com, I was even more set. I must include, however,
that while I was happy with the overall hostel amenities that included
cleanliness and hot water, I was a bit put off by its risky location. There was
a significant stretch from the Plaza de Armas (the main square) to my dwelling
and this also just happened to mean it was in a less safe area. I was always
reassured to see the tall guard standing stoic at the end of my street (and it didn’t
hurt that he was also handsome) but it would have been even more comforting if there
was another guard or two located along the way.
This
brings to mind some suggestions that I feel were beneficial to me and as I plan
to put together a more comprehensive list, I will share them here. My initial advice,
to an especially solo person, would be to always move with a purpose – even
when you are just a little bit acclimated to your surroundings. I think doing
that to the best of my ability while remaining cordial and open was key. Even
if my purpose was leisurely and given to the spontaneous track, I think it served
me well to walk steadily, not too slow, and as if I had a clear place to be. A
genuine friendliness with local people, exhibiting respect and having humility
seemed to create good vibes as well.
You find there are a considerable number of people who freely offer information and advice. You can compare notes from your encounters and unpack the lot of it for yourself. Amicable relationships with people from the area sometimes even translate into them looking after you in a familial way, but like anywhere in the world, being alone and a novice can also open you up to individuals that would never have your best interest in mind. Overall, politeness and greetings go a long way in the right circumstances. After all, you are in a place in which you most likely want to be immersed. The rule remains however to always be alert and don’t ever talk yourself out of your instincts.
My unease
with my hostel location did eventually settle my decision to find another place
within a few days. The local owner of the hostel, that I was leaving, was very
engaging. He had daily inquired about my travel and was taken with my previous
and future plans. (He was surprised that I had been staying in Pisco and not
the capital of Lima, prior to this). I just did not have the heart to tell him
that I was going to stay in another location for a few days, before my next
volunteer gig. He assumed I was going there straight away. As a host, he was great,
and his place was great, and I couldn’t offend him with just that one amenity
he could not offer. That would be feeling more secure.
I
found a really nice place near La Plaza de las Armas and it was more like a
hotel than a hostel. I was easily comfortable venturing out on nearby city
tours, visiting historic sites and viewing everyday tourist attractions. The
biggest trip I would take was my mini trek to Machu Picchu.
Upcoming: Adventures and Misadventures reaching my first Wonder
of the World
I kept my promise to myself about two things I said I would
do this week, one being to attend the stock trader meetup and the other to
attend the eCommerce event that focuses on financial freedom. You can visit my blog from last week that talks
about the fear that comes with embarking on a path that’s more about your
passions. More than a rant, the piece turned into more of a motivation to me (and
hopefully to anyone that can identify with it). I called it a rant, but I think
that was in response to momentarily being a little put off that I’m not fully immersed
into my translating and community organizing lifestyle. The truth is; however,
I have never not had my passions somehow incorporated into my life. I still
believe in so many things that mean people being good to each other and my connections for volunteering both here and abroad continue
to be revisited through my network of friends and second families. Sometimes,
it’s easy to forget when you get distracted by the supposed everyday obligations.
So, as I continue down this road of truer meanings, I find that it’s a drive not just for me but also for anybody that can identify with me on my journey. It won’t just be about my growth. It will mean even more of me expanding my reach and assisting others (however long or short distance my actions may go). Accordingly, I am going to keep putting one foot outside the box, a bit at a time.
I just finished up another freelance translating assignment.
It was quite interesting. It was easier than some of my previous ones. I find
that I really do enjoy the tourism and travel related ones. There were four
short pieces I did for a client that spoke to the beauty of Mexico’s beaches,
family-friendly hotels and even a piece about the skin and hair health benefits
of coconut extract. I can already tell how being my own boss and setting my own
varied work and community outreach schedule is going to be exhilarating. (I
have an opportunity to be a linguist with an organization – but it wouldn’t
exactly be freelancing – perhaps I can also work with them).
My experience at the day/swing trader meetup was quite empowering as well. It turns out that I am sufficiently learning the market and that I have a swing trade strategy that is similar to a few guys in the group. Some of the them trade equities. Some trade options. One does Forex (foreign exchange) and there were others. I have more to study. I give myself about a 70% understanding of what was going on that night. For some reason, I was the only lady within the group that attended this particular meeting. I’m pretty certain I saw some in the group on meetup.com. I guess they just couldn’t make it that night. I wasn’t intimidated at all and the guys were very cool. Still, I would love to meet the other ladies as well. Maybe next time.
There was another meetup happening at the restaurant that same night, helping to create some momentary misdirection. (By the way, the other meetups I belong to are related to embassy events, history and culture, one for English-Spanish conversation language exchange, and one known as Networking after Work). As I chatted a bit more with the incorrect contacts, it was revealed that they were not the investor group. I heard poly and want to guess a polyamorous group. I very sweetly dismissed myself. The guy that had previously been behind me in the checkout line was a part of this group and was motioning for me to keep my seat (not realizing that I wasn’t supposed to be there at all). They were all nice, but I had stock guidance to get to.
The guys in the area of the restaurant that was closed off
and reserved made more sense. Seeing them with their laptops and the premiere
slide of the organizer’s presentation up on the wall made it clear this is
where I belonged😉
though it was the first time I’d joined such an event.
I opened my laptop to the stock spreadsheet that is my watch list and I will say I felt extremely comfortable outside of my comfort zone for the rest of that evening. Everyone was informed and informative on various levels and I participated sporadically. Paying close attention, taking a few notes, networking for some tips and finishing off my mini lemon tart, I made a mental note to continue trading equities that represent my values and that I understand. I’m good with learning a bit more about this day by day.
My intention leans towards financial freedom while I focus
on my passions. I have my lifetime investments but am open to trying new
things. I’m fascinated with how others have created ideal lifestyles as I’m
married to the possibilities of spending more time on creating, volunteering
and sharing more time with family and friends.
As I briefly mentioned earlier, regarding my second act of
stepping outside the box, I was intrigued by this eCommerce event that my
friend and I attended. This was just a day after the meetup and both events caused
me to think that there is something to be said for steadily challenging your
mind in the proper ways.
I did agree with my friend on how the presentation of this
event had a very sales pitchy feel to it. However, since we both know the results
behind it are possible, I decided to sign up for the company’s upcoming 3-day
workshop. I’m interested in what they say could be a potential side business,
allowing me to focus more fully on writing, translation, volunteering and
travel.
Following my previously posted “rant”, this is my latest update. That was a “rant” that may have incidentally coincided with reminding myself to explore and then explore some more. My heart seemed to take over my writing for a while back there. I gratefully embrace that because I don’t ever want to forget what means the most to me and to everyone with whom I have had the pleasure of connecting. Thank you again for sharing your time with me. Always appreciated!
Share and like, if you like this. I hope to have you here
again soon!
Embarking on a path that is more about your passions is scary. Too often, we’ve been led to believe that feelings, desire and the drive for a calling is not what pays the bills or ensures a stable life, by any means. We might have been led to believe that we’re strange or even indecisive when all that is really happening is the perpetual getting back around to what really drives us. When the thoughts are, “isn’t there more” and “is this the life I really want”, then we can actually be thankful to all that is mighty that our persistent curiosity refuses to be stifled. You don’t ever want to be confused into losing this.
Compromising a couple of dreams for present security is not dire and I pause, because I don’t know if any of this is true for you, but it is a scenario with which I am all too familiar. I am describing me, so I don’t necessarily want to put this on others, but if you can identify, I am happy to be in good company. I know that all too often, it is the supposed order of the larger world beckoning us to fall in line.
However,
I have to take note that the larger world’s modern technology and on demand
access to certain principles have also helped fuel my focus. The nearly universal
access to social media platforms like YouTube has been a blessing. Though social
networks can be formidable with negativity, it has also provided the opportunity
to connect to enhanced ideas and greater intentions. Many of the entrepreneurs and
free thinkers I follow, (in addition to the books I’ve read and currently read)
have reopened my tired eyes. The positive thinkers and generous achievers know
the formula for being true to yourself, good to others and constantly striving
to be better day by day. The formula is not always perfect (for anyone) but the
right knowledge and intentions do help in staying grounded and again taking us forward
to where we really need to be.
I don’t have to readily dissolve every grain available but
putting together a lot of the ideas have gotten me back to some universal
truths. I realize I am not going to be satisfied until I try all the paths along
which my dreams are winding.
I plan on spending the rest of my time here, checking in on
my progress. I welcome it. I continue etching out time to write, translate,
travel and add in more activities as I go. One of the steps to drowning out the
so-called order of stability has been growing my life as a freelance translator.
I’m now happy to be translating and regularly taking part in events hosted by
the National Capital Area Translators Association.
I go to my premiere stock trading meeting next week. (I’ll see if my practice reading the market is paying off as much as I feel it is. So far, I’ve made an extremely modest profit.) Following that meeting, I will attend an eCommerce, eFreedom (see update) event with my colleague. We are aware that one of the big pieces helping us focus more on community and our passions is reaching financial freedom. (I have no problem being obsessed with that goal as it translates into more time to do more of what matters to me.) There is family. There is volunteering. There are friends. There is travel. There is the global community. There is bliss on the other side of our efforts and along the proper path as well.
There are many challenges but let them not be issues simply
for the sake of being a part of an ill fate, but rather let them be challenges
for the sake of growing past limitations. Propel us all towards our meaningful goals.
Let us not retreat into respective acceptable corners of stability with our
respective creature comforts. Let us yell out through our actions of being true
to ourselves and especially don’t let us be tricked because we are quite competent
at our everyday non-passions.
Now that I’ve committed to this in writing and posting, I likewise
challenge myself not to ride it out in the comfort zone. I have to also note when
that comfort zone is cleverly disguised as familiar obstacles. (“Why is a known hell
preferable to an unknown heaven?”)
It is going to be okay. It will be for me and for everyone
that feels this way. We need to work that balance of not being too critical as
well (of ourselves or others). It is only natural that the voices showing the
path to what is deemed clear and normal are all too easy to find. This is why
they are considered “normal” and they easily lay us upon the route of the least
resistance. It’s easy to get sidetracked.
The future is the question to be answered. My current (aka
past) goals are highlighted by my continued intentions to step outside the box.
We can help others by being true to our callings and though it may take us off the beaten track (a little or a lot), we can be forever grateful that our nagging dreaming feelings just won’t let us go.
Presently, I am happy to be participating and exploring a
lot of what I only previously wondered about and I’m equally happy that I’ve
taken some interesting chances with my adventures. Though I’ve been holding
back, I’m glad to be putting myself out there both physically and mentally. The
daring times have taught me the most about myself and what matters.
Like my post below (if
you’d like😊) and share me – @riskysafetravels.com
I hope you find some useful
and/or interesting information in the archives as well.
Update: eFreedom is something I do not recommend at all. It was a very costly and time-consuming experience and I would not want anyone to experience this as well. While I will spend money learning from entrepreneurs and teachers in various industries who are experts, this is one I would not revisit. It is very important that we make sure our sources are reputable and I want to let you know to do your due diligence.
I highly recommend sandboarding and dune buggy riding. This is what some of my co-volunteer friends and I did in Huacachinaand I would further recommend that if you are going to take part in some common but potentially harmful activities, do take all the recommended precautions, do them with friends and do not allow yourself time to talk your way out of it.
My friends and I especially chose this day for nearby bucket list activities since one of our closest friends would be leaving to volunteer elsewhere. Before being Huacachina-bound, however, I had to reconcile missing my normal Saturday volunteer task. It was a day that I wasn’t on a building project but rather teaching English. The reasons I leaned towards were the several other people teaching, and of course it being one of the last times I would see my friend. (Fortunately, we would get to meet up again later in Bolivia). I made my case to the project leader that day (and she, my sister from another mother) was more than lenient with me. However, our premiere disagreement was quite amusing. I think it made our bond even tighter. After all, who doesn’t eventually fight with family?
All set. The five of us got a collectivo (shared taxi) over to our mainly touristy destination (not on the Arequipa touristy scale, of course,but touristy still…) We took the fast, curvy dune buggy ride together and we each yelled out with joy during our respective sandboarding trips. It was prior to these steep slides, that we were also instructed not to have our hands, arms or legs out touching the sand. Long sleeves and long pants were recommended. Overall, you didn’t want any of your body hanging over the board.
This particular trip to the oasis was just for a day.{Visit Facebook Pics} We passed the rest of our time eating, laughing, and chatting while appreciating the simple and unique life. I love going places and getting involved in something unexpected. I know we had planned on doing everything that we did, but there was no preparation for the actual immersion and the very real satisfaction of completing it all.
Naturally, our trip initiated from Pisco, but I would say Paracas may more likely be the spot your passing through or headed towards, since it is well visited for its diverse bird and additional wildlife.
The lodging options in Huacachina can get you to feeling quite at home. I pause here to advise on hostels in general. There are some very inexpensive options. You can bring the price down even more by selecting to stay in a room for two or more people. People may go into this arrangement together, or simply share a place with other travelers who have been assigned there. The former is essentially what my friend and I did when we headed to Arequipa and the latter is what I usually did when I traveled through Bolivia. Many of your decisions can be made with the courtesy of a number of reviews and according to your personal objectives. When I knew I just needed a place to lay my head, (that I’d be out and about most of the time), I didn’t mind sharing and my main concerns centered around the availability of hot water and tidiness. When I needed more focus and regrouping, I would stay solo. This would also include reasonably priced, nice hotels.
I found all my best deals on Hostelworld.com. I know Airbnb is quite the force today but don’t sleep on Hostelworld, as you can feel its continued relevance from even just the landing page link which I’ve included above. I recall before I learned of Hostelworld, I knew of couchsurfing.com and this could range from camping out on someone’s couch to having a nice private room along with the run of the house. I didn’t do couch surfing. I cannot speak to it too personally, but I knew people who did (and I am seeing this company is still doing its thing as well). I did once stay with a friend who was in the midst of it. We were celebrating my birthday. We had been spending the majority of the day and evening together and it was a safer and gentler experience to crash with her and her host, rather than going back to my own hostel during the early morning hours.
Fortunately, I feel like reviews in general are the great self-correcting force to getting you the best deal and situation for your money. I would say don’t go cheap for cheap’s sake. Think about being in safe areas and again, also think of the other conveniences of life that you find valuable. I got to the point where I could even read in between the lines of travelers’ reviews. For example, if someone rated a hostel “boring”, it simply meant there wasn’t a party worthy environment on the premises. There were some hostels exactly popular for their party atmosphere. I would look deeper for the hot water confirmation. I do love dancing and there was always somewhere nearby to go. No need for this to be linked directly into my dwelling. Additionally, there were common areas for meeting and socializing. No need for this to be too intense, when there is most likely a night when you need to rest up before the following day’s adventures.
Of course, hostels don’t need to be your choice at all and as I briefly mentioned, you can rest assured hotel reviews plus travel sites can also be your guide. I checked into a nice hotel on another group visit to Huacachina. I hung out with friends at one point and at another point I was shooting the breeze at the hotel bar (complimentary Pisco Sour in hand). There was this chance to meet locals and other tourists while enjoying friends as well.
By the way, a nice element about Huacachina are the options to stay a while or take in the area just for the day. You may want to do so while en route to your next destination.
The restaurants are varied, offering US, Peruvian and other cuisines. It makes it so you can wander within a few feet to find the perfect food you are craving, including ice cream. There are areas to swim. There is the nightlife, and the city shows itself to be one of those serene places where you can relax and get taken in by the ideal landscape. Incidentally, you may momentarily forget your everyday concerns.
These are just my collective fond memories from a time quite past and I’m glad to see that the tradition of the desert oasis lives on. Maybe you will visit and let me know what you think. Maybe, you will share one of your favorite places with me. I welcome it. Always feel free to email me at cassandrajohnson@riskysafetravels.com and to include questions or comments below. I want to note I did just recently learn of a dune buggy accident. I want to advise you to remain mindful and to continue taking care of yourselves and each other.
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I continue to travel. I continue to volunteer. This is both home and abroad. My heart is telling me where I’m drawn to next but I’m opening up the floor to your thoughts as well. From sharing my previous stories with me, you probably realize that I’m pretty laser-focused when I decide to head out, but this doesn’t mean I won’t keep adding suggestions to my list.
Feeling absolutely helpless is what came over me when I viewed Puerto Rico those many days and even months after Hurricane Maria hit. The same was true for the US Virgin Islands and I think I have a special propensity for hurt people who also seem to be getting second rate regards. That is an added devastation.
I became acquainted with the Friends of Puerto Ricothrough a 2017 fundraiser, held at a local DC architectural firm. It was so
well put together, offered so much and I was pleased that there was a place to
connect with others and participate a little for the time being. I won my
silent auction bid and was just recently feeling that I wanted to direct some
more energy that way.
I went back to some email updates. I found this store, which is Café Ama and read the story of the seeds that survived the hurricane and how one 10-year old little entrepreneur decided she would be sharing these and other gifts of Puerto Rico. I don’t consider myself a coffee drinker. I wouldn’t want to compare myself to the real ones since sweet versions like café mocha are my chosen selection and complimentary tea usually fills my cup at work. I was preparing to check with friends to whom I might gift these, yet suddenly I fell for the most adorable little espresso cup that proved to be even more delightful in person.
My mind is telling me that I want to fly to the island. I have
experience with continued
recovery after an initial disaster. I may be going. I may be helping in
another way. I like to be some part of various efforts that will aid people
with limited resources. I believe in giving in all its forms. I believe in
monetary help. I believe in physical help. I believe in kind words. I believe
in smiles. I believe in encouragement and I believe everybody needs somebody.
My apologies, Arequipa. The memory of you is etched in my mind but not as much as it should be. I’m sorry. Although I do remember exploring and going to sacred sites, I don’t recall the details as much as I would like.
I believe you threw me off initially with how you were oh so
touristy. I hadn’t yet been to such a touristy Peruvian city. I was fresh from
a city that was much more affected by us volunteers than tourists and while I
could see the definite effects that we outsiders had on the inside; I wasn’t
ready for how you; Arequipa could be so tourist centric. So, there I had it,
going from being a voluntaria (volunteer), navigating the city as one of many driven
helpers to suddenly bus-voyaging it to a place that primarily welcomed me as an
extranjera-foreigner, albeit not the everyday American one. The label came out morena
and it made for some intriguing twists.
Here we were. One of the co-volunteers from Pisco had taken
the bus trip with me. We had decided to leave from there together. This was
actually my first long experience pairing up with someone for my international
travel venture. So far, I had been going it alone on my major preparations and although
my destinations would be to networks of people, I had depended mainly on me for
prep and logistics. That is how I would later continue. My current fellow
traveler coincidentally happened to be one of the few American PSF volunteers. (Most of our new
PSF friends were from Europe, but that varied a little as well).
I rather liked having a travel partner. He had prompted me
to pull myself out of my second to last bout of Pisco belly. This would have
been my last experience with it, except that I was gifted with it again, a few
months ago as I was
revisiting the city. However, a little illness was more than worth all
the goodness that came with revisiting my old volunteer stomping ground and Pisqueño
friends. The recent trip would have been absolutely perfect save for me lackadaisically
eating or drinking the something that had made me ill.
When my travel-buddy-to-be suggested that we leave for
Arequipa together, he double checked to see if I might want to wait until I was
feeling better, but I told him Nah. I suspected that it didn’t make much
difference and like him I was ready to see some more Peruvian sites since I had
now let myself get pretty curious from the descriptions I continued to hear.
The guide books had nothing on what was relayed in person. I previously had planned
to spend the majority of my time volunteering and only visit Machu Picchu and
nearby areas. However, I was now drawn towards the ruins, magnificent nature,
and additional sites now within a country’s reach. Though Huacachina was touristy
and just a few visits away, while in Pisco, it didn’t have the feel of Arequipa.
Now, imagine how it suddenly startled my system and you can easily imagine how
the feel of tourism in Cusco’s main square blew me away. Fortunately, I had
many opportunities to get off that beaten track.
As far as me only partially remembering the Arequipa region
– I do especially recall touring Colca Canyon with my new travel friend. We had
also been taken on a deeper tour that acquainted us with the little Incan girl,
now deemed the Frozen Ice Maiden. She had been one of the young child sacrifices.
She was raised for this. She needed to be a virgin, treated nobly, and following
her uphill journey to pacify the Gods, she would be given her last portions of
coca leaves and other intoxicants, with the intent of dulling her final moments.
Her body had been discovered by an anthropologist. With the melting of her ice
tomb (via a nearby erupting volcano), she became another microscope to the
history of a premiere civilization.
We watched a short film, before viewing the maiden. (Her
body is usually displayed in the Museo Santuarios Andinos but sometimes others sit
in her place). There are the additional mummies to be seen there as well. My
mind wondered and wandered about her because with all these adornments around
her resting place and the accompanying rituals, I knew that her community had
not anticipated that she would appear anywhere else other than where they had
placed her. Yet, I knew this was a huge piece of what connects us all. I wondered
about the ritual itself – what her community wanted versus what she would have
wanted. There is a lot to think about, relating to how we all move about the
world, now as well, and I would know little, if anything, had she not been
discovered. Coming to occupy a space that shares infinite energy and stories serves
to rock me from time to time. It could be in the hometowns of my sweet departed
parents or somewhere like this, only just hearing a story.
I took an additional city tour by myself one day. I was
taking this abbreviated one since my friend would be taking a longer one that
involved hiking the canyon. (Suddenly I’m recalling he and I also wandering
through the intricate structure of a former monastery – but then again there’s
that vagueness creeping in). I chose the additional half-day city tour to
facilitate my stopover in Arequipa since I didn’t have much time. I would be staying
in my next destination of Cusco for a couple of months, where I would be volunteering
and taking in an even more picturesque environment that meant unique animals,
ruins, city tours, live music, and gracious and mutually curious encounters.
My expedited half-day venture began with the bus just
seemingly materializing outside my hostel in the early morning hours. (It is
quite nice, however, that these tour groups typically include a pick up at every
purchaser’s various hostel or hotel and I’m intrigued by how patient the
drivers seem as they get out and knock at the doors of delayed trip goers). I
was ready already. This was probably because I had some unhealthy paranoia of
being left.
I had quietly left my temporary travel partner who would be
venturing out later. He was still asleep and talking in it. It was quite fascinating
that he did have full unconscious conversations (He had forewarned me.) Every
time I tried to get involved in one, it was quite clear that him suddenly thinking
I was within his dream wasn’t how that worked at all. Darn.
Here, I end my somewhat vague Arequipa-stay with some final apologies. Sorry for just an acquaintanceship. Though I want to think a part of you is etched in my mind, I fear that sometimes when I picture your Plaza de las Armas (your main square), I am actually inserting pictures of my life in Cusco, (understandably so, since it came to be more of a temporary home to me). Yet, I pause here to thank you for indulging me for one of my New Year’s Eve’s and giving me the chance to pass some extended time with a PSF friend. I appreciate you being the place that dissipated some lasting ill feelings and showing me my first rental hostels where I could chillax. I’m glad I came to pass the time with even more people who shifted from being strangers in a matter of minutes to being adventurous partners and kindred spirits. Indeed, I am grateful you gave me one more life chapter to write.
My preferred route to recovering from my latest bout of Pisco belly continued to be fasting rather than laying around. My next priority was spending time with my friend, Cris and succumbing to sickness would never do. He was finally free from the work that had held him up the first two days. We share a special bond that was cemented by our now dearly departed friend who first connected us. The same is true for our friend, Chela, making us a forever trio.
Cris had sent me an update while I was still in Tupac Amaru. This was after Felipe and I had finished lunch with Iris and her family and said our goodbyes. We thought we might be back to the district again, possibly the next day, but thank goodness we had done our loving hugs and see-you-laters to them then. A third day wasn’t in the cards so our lovingly extended visit had grown my gratitude even more. Leaving their house and walking towards the district square, I could pick up a publicly accessible Wi-Fi signal. It seemed to cover a small area but had a strong signal and this is where I had picked up Cris’ incoming update.
Thank goodness for Felipe. I don’t know that I would have additionally made it to the park after leaving Iris’s place, before we worked to get a collectivo back. I definitely had to sit down for a bit, before I could take that ride. I was dizzy from the sun and my new sickness. Still I was determined. I would make it back and meet up with Cris for the rest of the day. The original plan was to connect in Pisco’s Plaza de las Armas (the main square) but he was so kind. He would end up waiting downstairs in my hostel lobby, just a little later that day. This meant he was actually sitting sort of diagonal from Felipe who was sitting, resting downstairs after we returned. I was back upstairs, refreshing and working not to keep either of my friends waiting too long. Felipe was dozing when I returned. That made total sense. Our morning and afternoon had been fruitful with bustling activity that was also delicately peaceful.
My intention had been not to keep my latest visitor and old-time friend waiting at all but I really did need to take some extra time because of the looming stomach issues. Like Felipe, Cris looked the same to me. I had to think and mention how we were all just aging like fine wine. I introduced the two of them and we walked out together. We invited Felipe along on our journey (our program) but he mentioned needing to meet up with a friend. He parted ways with us outside and us two, Cris and I, were just primarily in awe of the passage of time and the surrealness that we friends were back here together again.
We are close in age and have a lot in common. We would spend the next several hours walking, chatting and reviewing the city of Pisco. We started at our dear friend’s resting place. It was so hard to believe that he wouldn’t be walking about with us this time. He would have been laughing, teasing and endlessly making sure we were fed at his home with his wife and 2 boys. Cris and I reflected in the cemetery. We stood there, reminiscing, loving, thinking. I felt a peace and a pain. He had been such an integral help to all the volunteers and treated my roommate (at the time) and me to some additional special times. This is family. Cris and I know this, and we decided that he is still here. Energy never disappears, only transforms.
We walked to the new mall area, where I was treated to his favorite ice cream, flavored lucuma, and I wondered if my dessert taste buds existed before this. We sat chatting, savoring and then walked back towards the main square. We would then visit the newly refinished Malecón (waterfront) but first I needed to make a pit stop at the hostel, because as I noted, I am sick. I am very happy but my body knows it is still not ok. I was teasing Cris along the way because it seemed like someone knew him at every turn and knowing now that he is a huge Beyoncé fan, I teased him that he is the one that is actually a pop star. Then I thought, wait, and posed the question whether he would actually be her or Jay Z. He confirmed that it would be the both of them, combined.
Clever that my illness which had momentarily brought me back to my hostel, would put us back outside just in time to unexpectedly see our friend Chela walking up the street towards us. It’s a small world, but life is also more magical than coincidental. She was able to join us as we headed towards the water. We stopped at a store along the way, but I filled her in that I shouldn’t and couldn’t be ingesting anything more that day. It was the safest bet. We reached the beach. The boardwalk was the only mainstay of my time there. Cris confirmed this when I wondered out loud and he cautioned me to watch my step. There were gaps in the wood that you could step into, some quite large. The other walkers were enjoying but minding their steps just the same. We looked for a convenient spot to step off. The boardwalk extended over the ground and then further over the water. There were no step like structures off the sides but we watched as a young guy stepped down into a fallen broken side that dipped back to the land. It was both hard wood and reed like. It was perfect. Cris went first and we all had to jump a little to get back to the flat surface. He held his arms up in case we needed a hand down, but we made it smoothly.
They had built so much commercial activity out here now. My! I can only imagine what more interesting moments that us volunteers could have cooked up here had all of this been in place 9 or so years ago. We had entertainment, both existing and self-produced, at the time, but having this and the mall area would have opened up all kinds of new possibilities.
The three of us chatted back towards the square. We came upon the large elevated Pisco sign as the night enveloped us. Chela would depart from here, right after we said our goodbyes and took our last group pictures for now. Cris walked me back to my door. How sweet it is to be taken from point A all around back to point A again. My healthcare-app pedometer put me at well over 15,000 lovely steps that day.
I spent the next day and a half not eating (still being considerably sick) and wrapping up tasks. I had one outstanding translation assignment that was to be due shortly. I would submit it from Pisco, making me officially a digital nomad in my mind (though I still have a full-time day job).
Felipe and I had actually been invited back to Villa Tupac Amaru for a third day for the community celebration, but I realized that I really needed the day to let myself continue healing while I simultaneously took care of business. One special errand was for another local friend who I only got to see a little and who wasn’t doing so well. I also needed to organize my possessions, both old and new, and finally, I wanted to pick up some quality Pisco liquor to bring back to my dear friend in the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia). Cris had given me the name of two high-level brands. I recall that I had my first Pisco Sour when I lived in Pisco (per it being the city of its origin despite Chile’s protest) and I had my best Pisco Sours there. I wondered if they were made with Portón or Biondi.
My go to stop didn’t have the proper brands, but the cashier here directed me to an alternative stop
My last day was successful with task completion although sickness was still threatening to overtake me. There was the heat, the dizziness, and the lack of food (because I didn’t want to risk eating). Still I needed to persevere, and I had faith that I’d be normal again soon. At first, I felt like I wasn’t going to make it through the local bank line (I stepped out twice.) The standing for so long was getting the better of me but I kept thinking of this other local friend who was unlike the ones who had been treating me over the last few days. I made it through. Mission complete.
Though I hadn’t been able to see everyone, I thought how I had reconnected under the very eyes of some very dear friends. I had visited the former area of the Pisco Sin Fronteras house and walked by the doors of our former home. I had seen our spot when I wasn’t sure I would. I walked along much of the city, much of our old stomping grounds. I was here and there and feeling complete. A life full circle was reminding me more of my goals. I was finally there again when I knew there was no way I couldn’t be.
Pisco, Peru. I love you dearly. I hold you closely and I’ll see you later. You made me more of who I am and who I plan to be. Thank you, reader, for sharing it with me.
June 29, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
