Lessons Learned

Going into this trip I knew I would learn alot of things. When my study abroad office described the emotional roller coaster that studying abroad is they couldn't have been more right. The first 2 weeks are vacation- everything is exciting and new, you are so open to new experiences, friends and fun. About the third week in you miss home and will do almost anything to talk to friends from home and feel normalcy- eat Mcdonalds, lay in bed and watch netflix and speak your native language. This was my first time out of North America and the longest I've spent away from home. But I have to say I'm so incredibly thankful for this experience as it has taught me much more than I could've imagined. So- here are some lessons I've learned
1. The US is a place ruled by many laws and amenities that most of us don't even think about or appreciate on a daily basis. People selling things on the street (especially food) without a permit and a DEHEC inspection, women with lambs charging for you to take pictures with them, dogs running through the streets in packs, police officers fighting against crime (no matter how small) and walls thick enough to provide privacy.
2. Other countries have incredibly unique and beautiful cultures. I have to say that one of the best experiences I have had here was for a photography project called "a day in the life". I followed a woman named Valentina who was a housekeeper at the "Casa Grande" where Mike and I stayed for a few nights. I don't think I've ever met a more admirable woman in my life. Most people in the US with blue collar jobs find it hard to smile and laugh. While trying to take Valentina's picture it was near impossible to not catch her laughing or cracking a joke. She and her friend invited me to lunch with them and on the way she gave a homeless man food. I was in tears. How could someone who probably makes less than $20 usd a day be so humble and selfless? I don't think I'll forget the joy this project brought to my life and the lesson of appreciating the small things.
3. Patience. Patience. Patience. Waiting for a bus or taxi. Hoping you'll have internet, water, and lights when you get home. Being served at a restuarant after waiting an hour and a half for food. Not letting your host family/ little sister get the best of you. In photography we learned to be patient for a good shot- usually you just want to jump on it and take a million pictures of an interesting subject but not before you change your white balance, ISO number, check your shutter speed and depth of field and make sure there aren't people picking their nose in the foreground. Also- being patient when everything you planned is closed or the information you were given was not accurate. When in Aguas Calientes (outside of Machu Picchu) we expected to visit natural hot springs- they smelled like chicken broth and wearing a bikini was asking for alot of strange looks, also the hiking trail we wanted to take had been under construction for over a year apparently. It takes the patience of a saint to not loose youre cool in situations like this.
4. Hard work. Cusquenans are some of the hardest working people I've seen. There is no high class in Cusco. My host parents are probably middle to high class and have a small 3 bedroom apartment 2 km from the city center. They have a kitchen similar to one you'd find in a nice hotel in the US but have nice things here. I was incredibly lucky to have a wonderful family and nice place to live. We have a maid named Marina who is constantly running about and accepting orders with a smile. We became quite good friends, I will miss her. When I leave my house here I pass many shops owned by locals, people on the streets selling candy and drinks to make a living, I take a taxi or bus that cost less than $1.50 no matter the distance or price of gas. At my small university the professors strive to make connections with students and are truly great teachers. The maid at school smiles and asks what you're doing. In La Plaza de Armas there are more vendors selling "gratis massajes", inviting you to their club, braiding bracelets, artists basically giving away their hard work and blind men playing flutes. Being solicited to by things gets very frustrating and I snapped a few times but thinking back on it I would do the same thing to feed my children.
5. Good friends and good times. Our session at USIL had less than 15 students in it. A diverse group that somehow blended almost seamlessly. I'm so thankful to have met these people. From mornings in the school court yard to 4am trips to get some drunchies- I will miss our group like crazy.

Its crazy how after a month away from home I feel like I know myself so much more. Limits and boundries, likes and dislikes, patience and the value of "fast" friends. Me va a extrañar Cusco, Peru- la gente, los lugares, la comida, y la cultura.

Tomorrow I leave for Puno and Lake Titicaca then La Paz Bolivia. Hopefully I will be able to blog once or twice more before leaving but if not- see you in America.