Summer's Ending as Summer's Beginning

Exactly three months ago, nine of my peers and I were stressed about finals, freaking out about our departure for Peru, and cramming as much Spanish in our heads as we could. Now, we're scattered across the country, our country, enjoying a mini summer vacation. How did that happen so fast?

As you probably know by now after visiting our blog (everyday, right?) as we traveled, learned, served, and grew alongside our Peruvian friends, we have had quite the summer. After returning to the U.S. days before the 4th of July, the ten of us hit the ground running and never really bothered to look back. We're always told to live in the moment, plan for the future, or do anything except look back, "because that's not the direction you're going." But, how can we not reflect on an incredible experience we had? It's been difficult to really comprehend everything we did in five quick weeks and talk about it in a coherent manner, especially while juggling three summer classes for the five weeks following. As the final assignments are being turned in this week, I've finally had some time to reflect on the gracious growth I've experienced this summer, and I welcome you to be enlightened!

1. It's okay to be uncomfortable; growth compliments vulnerability. Many, many times we were faced with uncomfortable situations or environments which were just unusual to us. It was absolutely heart-opening to see how the Peruvians lived and how their hearts just flowed with love. Not only for one another, but for us. Total strangers (at first). I miss all of the hugs and kisses, although I haven't minded hanging out in my comfort zone the last few weeks.

A place some people call "home"

Lauren leading an exercise class

2. I can't actually catch up on sleep when I'm dead; it needs to happen now. We had some ridiculous travel days that bookended our trip and while we learned to love each other in new ways, it made the following weeks really difficult. Which then made me think, how am I suppose to be a nurse in a few months? HA! I'm living in the moment and have chosen to deal with that sleep deprivation when it comes.

One of the wild yet normal fiestas

After some wild traveling from Milwaukee to Chicago to El Salvador and finally Lima. We almost caught the sun rise and set twice!

3. It's just fine to have fun, everywhere. We found fun where it was hiding and brought fun where it was lacking. We basked in fun where it flourished and bottled up the fun where it was exploding. Peruvians know how to have fun...they will throw a party for anything. It's Monday? ¡Fiesta! You just finished school? ¡Fiesta! You're leaving in three weeks? ¡Fiesta! You're from the United States? ¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! (one every week, no joke).

Marquette women beating the Peruvian men + Tobin in a fair game of fútbol

¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta!

4. Love beats language barriers. There's hardly anything to say to explain this. It's simple yet profoundly true. We struggled to get a grasp of the Spanish initially, especially at the rate they speak, but love won. Communication crept in later on, but I truly believe that without the verbal communication, it was almost easier to connect with the patients. We had to stare them in the eyes, pick up their physical cues, understand their motions. We loved them and they loved us; it was beautiful.

Sarah delivering a newborn after the real delivery!

Meghan, Jorge, and Asmita at Hospice

Kerry feeding lunch to Ines, a chronic malnutrition patient

5. Dance like no one's watching. I'm not a dancer. I've always been attracted to water sports and there's a reason why...coordination and I really haven't figured each other out. But in Peru? You have to dance. Everyone dances, everyone laughs, everyone sweats. I've never danced that hard in my life, but boy did they have some sweet moves!

Dr. Weis dancing with one of the niños

Gen and Anna dancing with Olympia at the nursing home

Some Peruvians putting on special dances for us

6. Pain is 100% subjective. I've never seen people handle pain like these incredible Peruvians did. Women laboring? Whatever, it's my sixth baby, I'll just walk it off. I had a heart attack yesterday? Oh, I'm okay but I hope my husband doesn't have one. I haven't been able to see in six years, but I've learned so much by listening. The lessons these people taught us students is invaluable. I hope to never forget them...thank goodness for the blog!

"Oh, there's a 4 inch needle in my eye?"

"This cataract is almost black."

"Hurry up so we can go home already."

7. The power of community is stronger than it seems. Not only did I learn plenty from watching the Peruvians love on one another, but I learned millions from my nine peers. It's challenging to spend five straight weeks, all 24 hours of everyday with the same ten people, but we were champs. It was such a blessing and honor to be able to serve with these incredible students. I've grown tons with them and can only hope the feeling is mutual. My heart has a special nook for the Peruvians and my classmates; all of them!!!!

Tobin, Asmita, Kerry, and Sarah with our Marquette Family!

A super warm welcome into an out-of-town village

Women's group at the hospital

Community: the heart and soul of this culture

Pre-fútbol game

Marquette students out on the town

A casual afternoon luncheon for the seniors

8. Beauty is found everywhere. These people are beautiful. The sights were beautiful. The hospitality was beautiful. The community was beautiful. The spiritual growth was beautiful. Everything...so beautiful.

The cutest little lady at the nursing home with me

Embracing the differences

A patient at the nursing home showing Stef and me the love he had for his passed wife

It's fun to know we're all watching the same sun set regardless of where we are

The most beautiful niñas ever

I know there are a million more things I could say here, but I wanted to have a sort of closure with the blog. I reached out to my follow classmates and asked them quick thoughts about our trip. Of course those don't really exist (quick thoughts), but here's a synopsis of the comments:

"We would weather the cold showers, sweltering heat, chicken and rice, irregular sewage system, stressful assignments, GI disorders, and pesky mosquitoes so we could go back tomorrow to see our friends."

It's been such a delight of mine to transcribe our journey here for all of you to vicariously live, and for us to revisit later on as well. What a journey we went on, one that at times felt like it would never end but at the same time would keep getting faster. We are blessed, we are thankful, and we are passionate. Thank you, dear readers, for following along with us this summer. We loved your feedback and truly enjoyed sharing slices of our life with you!!!!!!! We appreciate your continued support and prayers throughout travels and one last semester of nursing school! Wooooo, bring it on!!

Sending love and giants hugs,

Alex & the gang

Before the journey began...our first day in Lima

Hemos Venido, Vimos, Hemos Conquistado

Eight days ago we left Piura and since then we have been on total vacation mode!!!!! It's been awesome. Piura was incredible and we thoroughly enjoyed caring for the people there, but the hard work definitely elicited a vacation!

Last weekend we were found wandering the sights and streets of Lima having the time of our lives. It was so peaceful and nice to simply walk around without any schedule or commitments after four weeks of a regimented schedule. We almost didn't know what to do with ourselves, but we figured it out! Below are a few pictures of our fun! :)

This man was excited to pose for a picture while he painted some goods for his store. The markets in Lima are unreal!! It truly seemed like they never ended. Thousands of handmade goods from jewelry to sandals to scarves to leather bags. Incredible!

Kerry checking out some pretty paintings in a market.

Found this familiar little number on our adventures!

Me hanging out in MiraFlores (obviously post-market trip hence the bags)- one of the districts of Lima. 

We all split up on Saturday during the day and did whatever we wanted to since it was our only full day in Lima. Anna and Meghan went to a historic Peruvian museum where Incan pottery was a big hit!!

Anna and Meghan 

Kerry and I were all over but spent the afternoon walking around the boardwalk and bonding with the Pacific Ocean. 

Saturday night we reunited as a group and went out for dinner and drinks as a team! Here we are L to R: Meghan, Stef, Asmita, Anna, Lauren, Alex, Tobin, *GEN*, Kerry, and Sarah. Since Gen had to leave us after Piura, we've been carrying around her little name sign--we miss her tons!

After dinner we went out for Karaoke and it was the hardest we had laughed in a while!!!! Which says a lot because there's always something to laugh about in our quirky group. (Anna, Asmita, Sarah)

Sunday afternoon we caught a quick flight from Lima to Cusco. Here's part of the gang getting ready for that!

When we got to Cusco Sunday evening it felt like we had just landed back in Wisconsin!!!! I never believed Peru had a winter season until we landed there. :)

(L to R: Sarah, Asmita, Stef, Anna, Tobin, Lauren, Kerry)

The fearsome, tired travelers! We packed and unpacked our bags more in the last eight days than we did all trip! (L to R: Asmita, Stef, Anna, Tobin, Alex, Lauren, Kerry, Meghan, Sarah)

Cusco rocks. After we settled into our hostel, we ventured around the city square. As the sun went down, it only got colder!!! But look at those mountains!!! If only this was my view every morning and evening.

This silly woman approached us in the square and shoved her baby alpaca in our faces. Of course we couldn't say no--look at that little thing and its freaking hat!!!! It can even smile :) (Top to Bottom: Kerry, Asmita, Alex)

Monday was our day to explore Cusco as Tuesday we would leave for our Machu Picchu jungle trek! When we left the hostel to check out the square, it was PACKED with Peruvians for a Winter Solstice celebration parade. It was insane. Here are some of us checking out the parade that morning. (L to R: Anna, Sarah, Meghan, Asmita, Kerry)

The parade lasted the ENTIRE day. It was so much excitement and craziness. The summer and winter solstice in Peru is a big celebration indicating a change in their calendar. Apparently the winter solstice is the biggest party of the year- we were just in time!

Later on Monday, the girls took a hike to the top of one of the mountains there which is home to a large Jesus statue. The hike was tough as we were also acclimating to the elevation here in Cusco, about 11,000 feet. Just the landscape reminds me of San Francisco--hills, hills everywhere! The view just got better and better the higher we got!

A quick lesson I learned on this hike: don't get too close to an alpaca with guard dogs. We tried getting some pictures but I was reminded about how being last in a line can have negative consequences. I was last and the dogs got me!

Oops! The dogs did a great job at protecting the freaking alpaca, that's for sure! Immediately after the attack, the owner came out and showed me immunization records and assured me that none of his dogs have rabies! Phew. Five days later it's still pretty ugly but no other concerns. Yay!!

Here we are at the top with Jesus!!! (Alex, Asmita, Meghan, Sarah, Lauren, Anna, Stef)

It was SUCH a gorgeous view of Cusco City from up there. (Stef, Alex, Anna)

At the crack of dawn Tuesday, our jungle trek began!!!! We were all totally looking forward to it, obviously, as this was the grand finale of a wonderful trip!!! Our trek was conducted by Lorenzo Expeditions out of Cusco and it was absolutely phenomenal!!!!! I can't say a single bad word about our 4-day trek. The accommodations, food, adventures, etc. were all incredible. I was floored each day at how well organized everything was!!! If you ever find yourself in Cusco, I highly suggest planning a trip through them--very well priced also! Below are many, many highlights from the week--I apologize in advance for the overwhelming load; I don't even have all the pictures!!! :) Enjoy!

Kicking off the trek with breakfast Tuesday morning! They served us in their private house in Cusco. (Sarah, Asmita, Anna, Meghan, Lauren, Stef, Kerry)

Tuesday's main highlight was our biking excursion through the Andes! I can't even explain nor do the photos do justice to how beautiful the Andes Mountains are. Stunningly breath-taking. 

Some of the gang before the start of our bike ride! (Kerry, Alex, Stef, Lauren, Anna, Meghan)

We ended up riding for about three hours, 35 km, and 9000 feet in elevation (mostly downhill- phew!). We started at 15,000 feet and went down to 6,000 where we spent our first night in the Lorenzo lodge located in Santa Teresa. 

Alex, Lauren, Anna, Meghan, and Stef during one of our breaks. Look at that freaking view!!!!

Once we got to the hostel on Tuesday afternoon, we immediately ate a 4-course lunch and got ready for water rafting!!!! It was the most incredible experience I've ever had rafting, and others have said the same thing!!!! I unfortunately don't have any photos because of the water, but a few people have GoPro videos that you may be able to peak at in the future. We rafted about 14 km down the Amazon tributary and it was absolutely amazing, per usual. 

Wednesday we got an early start in preparation for our day of intense hiking! We hiked 35 km through the Andes, most of it uphill. Great exercise!!!! During the hike we ventured through part of the Inca Trail and saw some incredible views of the mountains. 

Here's "The Family" during one little pit stop. Our tour group had a total of 19 people and we had so much fun together!

On one stop we went through a little home clearly catered to hikers/tourists. There were stations in which we could try their homemade chocolate, tequila, coffee beans, and wear Peruvian outfits!!! Here's Anna, Meghan, Lauren and Alex dawning some pretty spiffy clothing. 

We were also treated to some special makeup commonly sported by the Incans. Here's my do, requested to "fit" around my sunglasses!

Lauren and Kerry hiking around a corner of the Inca Trail

Our family approaching the highest point of the Inca Trail

Meghan doing some critical reflection on the Inca Trail

One point of our hike found us crossing this sweet bridge--some found it sweeter than others. :)

The rest of Wednesday we spent hiking and then at a natural hot springs! It was so perfect after 10-11 hours of hiking!!!!! We were all quite pleased. I don't have photos of that either--boo!

Thursday morning we got to sleep in until almost 7:00!!!! It felt glorious. We spent the first three hours of our day zip-lining through the Andes and it was as gorgeous and spectacular as it sounds. I have a few photos of that on a different camera because carrying cameras on the lines was a bit risky!

One photo I do have from zip-lining is the view from the bathroom at the base camp!!! This overlooks the river; I could have spent hours on that toilet.

The remainder of Thursday was spent hiking about another 14 km and getting to bed early in preparation for Machu Picchu Friday morning!!!

Here's The Family at the base of Machu Picchu where we slept on Thursday night in Aguas Calientes.

Friday morning we were up at 4:00am in prep for our big day!!!!! The hike began at 4:30 and was one of the hardest things I've ever done. 1,700 stairs compiled the hike up to the Machu Picchu ruin site and BOY did it feel like so many more. So tough, and even tougher in the pitch black morning. But of course, so worth it.

Here's the gang first thing in the morning before the sun peaked over the mountains. Machu Picchu is SPECTACULAR!!!! Everyone needs to go, go, go!!!! (L to R: Tobin, Asmita, Sarah, Kerry, Stef, Anna, Lauren, Meghan, *GEN*, Alex)

Kerry and Alex "bright" and early!

See that tall mountain in the background? After our Machu Picchu tour, we then hiked up that mountain!!! Another killer. It's called Waynapicchu and had an incredible view of Machu Picchu from the top as seen below.

Here's the cute gang plus two other family members overlooking the Machu Picchu site. (L to R: Allison, Maureen, Meghan, Lauren, Stef, Anna, Kerry, Sarah, Asmita, Alex, and Tobin in front)

Gen got her own moment of fame during the hike!!!!

Last night we caught a train back to Cusco and this afternoon a flight back to Lima. It's incredible how fast that week went!!!!!! I clearly left out a TON of details and photos, but I'm afraid this is already a bit overwhelming!

Stef, Anna, Asmita, Tobin and I are now camped out at the airport waiting for our flight back to the States. We have a 10-hour layover so we've been spending lots of time eating, browsing, laughing, sleeping, etc. Sarah and I were zapped with a quick bug this morning but we are thankful to be feeling better tonight as travels begin!!!! That would not have been a fun time. We all traveled to Lima together earlier this evening, but from here we split into smaller groups for different flights.

It's now time for the sad moment which I haven't been looking forward to the last 5 weeks. It's back to traffic laws and tame animals, summer and school, clean water and cozy beds, English and personal space, flushing toilets and consistent schedules. There's no possible way that we could be leaving Peru more thankful then we are right now. The last five and a half weeks have been absolutely life-changing in so many ways, influencing so many different aspects of our lives. We've learned so much and look forward to immersing ourselves back into our home culture while still holding the cultures of Peru near and dear to our hearts. Thank you millions for continuing our journey with us!!!!! We have been abundantly blessed and honored to share as many experiences as possible with you and hope you've enjoyed them as best you can. It's cheaper to travel via the blog anyhow! :)

As we sign off tonight, we send our biggest hugs, warmest laughter, and friendliest smiles your way. Thank you for the continuous support and never-ending optimism as we've ventured along the last month. We are so appreciative of all the love, so we send it on back!!!!

Love always,

Alex & the gang