I just got back to Peru after an 18-day trip to the US for the holidays. I spent the first half in Atlanta with my boyfriend and with old friends. I managed to sneak in some yoga classes at some of my favorite studios in Atlanta, hit the amazing DeKalb farmers market, and ate at some of my favorite restaurants like the Flying Biscuit Cafe and Antico (pictured below). I then headed to DC where I saw my family and had a quick reunion with my best friends from college.
It was a lot easier to make the adjustment back to the US than I expected. The first days were a little rough and included a moment where I shed a few tears when I saw my first water fountain at the airport and watched cold, clean water come out for free.
Back at one of my old favorites: Atlantico Pizza in Atlanta
Me with my boyfriend Brendt and brother Max on New Year's Eve
Rebecca, me, Ilana, and Emily: best friends from college days, all doing work on social justice projects
Me with Max, uncle David, aunt Nancy, uncle Steve, and grandparents Mischa and Charlotte meeting up in New York
So what big revelations did I have?
Everything is the same. Okay not everything, but most of the things that I miss the most while in Peru (i.e., yoga classes, farmers markets, long runs around Atlanta and DC), are all still there waiting for me. It was also neat to discover that I have adapted many of these hobbies to my Peruvian context. My yoga practice in Peru has become a practice outside in a large field surrounded by mountains instead of inside a studio. My runs in Peru are on curvy rocky roads where I pass the moms I work with instead of on busy streets or in large parks.
What else did I figure out? I am glad I have another year in Peru. Yes, I miss my parents, brother, boyfriend, and friends like crazy and the level of communication with these people when in different continents really sucks. BUT, being back in the US made me realize how important my Peruvian community and the people in my community have become to me and the work I am doing there. Towards the end of my trip as sad as it was to say goodbye to these people, it was almost refreshing and inspiring to feel that I wanted to go back and pour myself into the people and the work I am doing in Llama for the next 10 months and then come back to the incredible community that I have in the US. And yes, knowing that I only have 10 months left to spend here helps A LOT!
So upon reflection, the trip was probably one of the best things I could have done for myself and my loved ones during my service in Peru. Now back in Peru, I have a few months of building improved cooking stoves ahead of me. We have finally reached the final stage of the healthy homes project! Exciting and a little scary; I have a lot of work ahead of me!
Sara in Peru 