Currently, I have returned to the States and am working on a few things before....well, I have a little surprise. (keep reading to find out what it is :) )
1. Last days in Cusco/Mancora/Lima
Cusco
Saying goodbye to Cusco was tough. The spiritual city that served as my home for 2 1/2 months will always be in my heart. My bosses, colleagues, and friends made a notebook for me where everyone wrote me a message. Unfortunately when reading all of the messages something landed in my eye and made them water. ;)
My bosses and colleagues had a farewell/good luck dinner for both me and my colleague Angela who was about to give birth. A few friends from Amauta joined as well. :)
In the plane about to leave Cusco. :(
Mancora
Mancora, Mancora, Mancora! Before I arrived to Mancora I was warned that it was the party scene of Peru, and rightfully it is! Everyday was spent at the beach learning how to surf, and the nights were full of good drinks and music (I highly recommend the Kokopelli hostel in Mancora). While the food in Cusco was pretty good -- although it mostly consisted of potatoes, rice, and chicken everyday-- the food in Mancora was incomparable as it consisted of everything seafood! Aside from learning how to surf I also saw and learned a whole lot of other things as well. For instance, I am officially the darkest I have ever been in my life. Also, I can sunburn; it hurts!
Lima
People told me that Lima wasn't a beautiful city. They were right. I stayed with a few friends in Miraflores. At least the park/square in Miraflores was pretty and full of cats. Apparently you can go there to feed the stray cats and/or adopt them. The city was like any other typical city really; something I now try to avoid seeing when traveling. Lima did however have EXQUISITE food that is primarily based around seafood because of its proximity to the ocean. I found an amazing sandwich shop too. I feel like my words will only mock the deliciousness of the sandwich if I try to describe how good it was.
Best sandwich EVA!!!! In Miraflores.
(I took the following sandwich pics for you dad)
In Barranco, Lima...
This hippie guy was super sweet. He was the second person to propose to me this day. In the end, he made me a necklace that had the Ayahuasca vine.
2. Being Back Home
I hate it here! I miss the consistent challenge of first communicating effectively in another language and second, learning how to survive in a foreign culture. Yes, seeing my family and friends is awesome; I did miss them. However, I feel stagnant and like I regressed 10 paces in my life journey by being back home. I have even had panic attacks when I wake up and see where I'm at. And so, I made another meeting with my therapist (who after our meeting went on vacation hahahaha).
3. Dreams and Goals
I have always known what I wanted in life; I just let excuses hamper me from going where I wanted to be, or never prioritized what I will do first. This is why I originally started this blog when I decided that I had an opportunity to pursue my goals and dropped everything to leave to Peru and pursue them. Anyone that personally knows me knows that I have always wanted to live abroad and own my business (in truth, a few businesses and organizations), specifically an international entity that helps those in developing countries with various situations. While I am back, I have written out my goals and have begun to prioritize them and what needs to be done to accomplish them.
4. Where I'm headed
After speaking with my therapist before I left to Peru, with her help I had taught myself a new mentality. As mentioned before, I currently feel frustrated and stagnant being back in the States - primarily living with my parents. Also, knowing myself, I like to see results immediately. After writing down my goals, I have taken to the habit of writing out a list of things that need to be done to accomplish my goals and what I would need to do everyday to feel that I am one step closer to actualizing my goal. While previously, if I was to write out my goals and accomplish certain steps, I still wouldn't feel closer to them because I didn't feel like the steps I took were big enough; now everyday I feel like I have something to show for my work. For instance, since I came back I have been making prototypes and asking people to taste and critique chocolates I had made using ingredients I had brought back from Peru to sell. Friday, I had made and packaged the chocolates to sell for a flea market that I had heard about (I think it's interesting to note that before I came back from Peru, it was part of my list of goals to sell these chocolates at a flea or farmers market by last weekend. I didn't have a clue which one but upon my arrival the opportunity just presented itself). Saturday, I sold the chocolates with the help of my family. Today I successfully paid for and registered a business as an LLC with the State of Maryland. :D
My mentality is to be more action oriented, and so far it has been working!
While I have already bought a ticket to return to Peru on November 8th (haha surprise!). Now that I have successfully registered this business entity I am debating whether to return and continue to help my previous bosses with the operations of their business and help them grow a few of their ideas which align with my goals, or to stay in the States, grow this current business and stick to my original plan of going to Japan in January. The second option is starting to become more likely; I'll just need to cancel my plane ticket first.
Follow your dreams.
Selling at the Flea Market :) (here's a link to our Facebook page if you're interested: Sagna's Maca)
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