As I see a majority of the people I
invested time in depart I realize that the shared elements of this trip: the
water cooler we clung to (as if the only clean source of water), the hikes
around the local mountains, and the locations where a large portion of our
service occurred such as 711 (the local elementary school), the office, and
parts of the more rural mountainous regions, all trigger the longing I feel for
my fellow volunteers, my friends. These locations, aside from holding amazing
memories, almost reflect my favorite part of the people who I worked with; they’re
very much dynamic. Full of life and constantly changing these places remind me
of my newfound relationships growing and changing and as a result I try to
ascertain these amazing individuals intervention in this experience, at this
stage of my life. Every encounter is an opportunity to learn so what I will
attempt to acquire from these individuals is a greater understanding of myself.
First I want to thank them for great
memories, tolerance for my abrasive sometimes to blunt methods of
communication, but most importantly their presence in my life. Knowing I can be
appreciated, wanted, and even in some rare cases loved by the most perfect of
strangers has profoundly affected my hope and confidence in myself. As if their
presence has refilled my tazá with the maté that warms my soul, these people,
who clearly all have touches of something divine within them, have enhanced my
faith. Now I explore Peru to reminisce on the moments I miss most, the ones in
local café’s divulging our deepest struggles, the brief moments on the roof
where the only conversation we have is about getting to another place, and the
brief glimpses of Mars in the late nights. I rationalize my remaining time as
potential to invest in my host family and few remaining friends. I think of my
project and service I originally came here with the intentions of doing and try
to redirect my aims on making them into a representation of the worthwhile time
I’ve had.
With a long to-do list and new perspective
Mateo
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