August 30, 2024 by Cassandra Johnson
I have a better definition of my criteria for moving abroad (which by the way, I am finishing this post from a point of recovering from an illness so it may not be so thorough).
This is more of my recent thoughts combined with previous rough drafts plus remnants of wild dreams while I slept and recovered.
My more considerate definition for moving abroad seemed to be taken shape before I came back to Cusco. I guess I should have known that after about 3 months revisiting and living in Lima, I, of course was getting more accustomed to that city lifestyle.
Primarily, my heart did fall heavily for Cusco as it my second time here. On the other hand, I completely underestimated that how I once dealt with the extreme altitude about 11 plus years ago was completely different than how I have been dealing with it now.
I chose an AirBnB that seemed rather safe and nice but got my wind immediately taken away when I attempted to take my first walk around the steeply inclined neighborhood. Since, I was not in the main square and not in a more tourist-like area, I felt the much more steep drop offs from the surrounding sidewalks were seemingly created out of function, more convenience that rather called for us walkers to make the necessary adjustments. I noticed some people seem to have quite a rhythm to it. I also noticed others breathing heavily, especially those who shared the aparthotel like building where we must have all been renting the AirBnB space. I suddenly wondered how long 10 days in this particular area would seem. Fast or not soon enough. This was not the dream apartment (Air BnB) I rented in the Surquillo neighborhood in Lima for one of those 3 months. It also was not that among the convenience of the Lima hostels.
On the upside, I do think this was a good beginning for Cusco, so that once I checked into a hostel (okay, 2 days earlier), I was incredibly grateful. I was grateful for the very hot water the AirBnB did not have plus breakfast and other amenities that were a given. I could literally be warm and have community. 😊
Community is really what I have been getting to here as I have made this journey. I realized that the major part of my criteria has not only been about becoming more in tune with my material likes but also appreciating the connections I make and the connections I have already had for so long. I more readily see how I underestimated how much easier it was to navigate abroad while spending time with other people volunteering.
Sure, I needed my moments of solitude, but I simultaneously must have taken the built-in camaraderie for granted. For as long as my volunteer time in South America the first time around and for as short as my half week volunteering in San Juan, there were people to connect with. Going back and revisiting those places has shown me how natural it became to find a couple or 10 people here or there to spend a lot of extra time with shooting the breeze, eating out, sharing stories and listening.
I have enjoyed connecting with people here in between just working as a digital nomad. I just want to admit to myself how less fluid I have been. It is especially less fluid for me when staying solo in rentals. I have to put in more research, more time on the next move I make. Notably, the goal gets even easier when sharing a hostel and though not the same, I now can see even more why having the expat and traveling groups online is helpful during and prior to travels.
What I have done can be done successfully. I know people who do. It seems just getting so sick and reflecting on some rough patches had me realizing how much I appreciate the community I have already had and the people I have been able to meet during my progress now.
So as I come to focus on how much I value community overall, I know it includes the one I have had for so many years including my family and friends back home and whoever I may add this way. I am thankful for the peace and support that goes with my brothers and family as well as the friends I have enjoyed while I was in DC and Ohio. I am thankful for the people who genuinely enter my circle too.
An additional plus, I must note, is that being more travel ready has helped me see some friends and family more often but overall, there is a tinge in my heart in which I continuously wish they were all no more than just 10 minutes away. Still learning.