Now, however, I've been living and working in Cuzco for a couple of weeks and I'm realizing again that this is exactly what I want. I only traveled to Ireland, Spain and England but I moved to Mexico, Italy and Korea. I only traveled through most of Peru but I actually moved to Cuzco. Boy, does it make a huge difference and I want it this way all the time.
Even though it will always be short-lived, I thoroughly enjoy setting up an entire life at each new place. It's the only way to truly get to know the people (of course speaking the language is necessary, too) and the culture of the place around you.
Now that I've been here a couple of weeks, I've gotten to know plenty of the people in the city. I have a Peruvian "mom" already who makes fantastic, two-course, hare kishna-style vegetarian food for about 2 USD. Every time I go, we chat about something different and her wisdom and advice have been extremely helpful to me. Then there are the people who work at the only restaurant I've found that sells gluten free bread. They asked why I needed it and then went to work to help me find tumeric and coconut oil for the cheapest price possible and taught me how to do a cleanse to further help my liver and gut health. Then there are my coworkers. Naibet, who works in housekeeping, and I have become great friends and she has invited me to come spend time at her family's house at some point. She also taught me some basic Quechua (the most widely spoken indigenous language that still remains in Peru) in exchange for me teaching her some basic Korean. Martín is the barman and I love him with all my heart. Unbelievably positive, friendly, patient, and kind, he's the perfect person to work for and learn from. Right now, we are seven volunteers-six guys and me-and we share a room and work behind the bar together. These guys are the BEST. It took only a day or two for us to become family and they will be my brothers forever. I feel so lucky to be working with them and will make the most of it because I know we only have a short time together. Then there are the guests; people from literally ALL over the world come and go from our hostel every day but everyone stays just long enough for me to get to know them a bit and I've made some great friends.
It's hard to keep track when you're asking new people every day about their stories-where they're from and why, where and for how long they're traveling-but it's fascinating. People have the most beautiful, inspiring stories and it all flows together just perfectly in this beautiful little lifestyle.
I've been on the road to health, as well. When you're looking for answers, life eventually hands them to you...every time. I saw a holistic doctor two weeks before I came to Peru and, within a week of seeing her and getting on her recommended all-natural supplements, my liver enzymes finally started to go down and, as of yesterday, they're almost back to normal. Beyond that, I've been talking to people about it here and have been getting great advice.
My friends found a free yoga class for us to go to in the mornings and I've been working out by running the stairs on Choquechaka which is a great workout (anything is at 11,000+ feet above sea level). Between running, yoga, walking around to the markets and to talk to the people I know in the city, walking with my friends to show each other new places, meeting inspiring people every day, speaking Spanish every day, finding great, new food everywhere I go, learning something new everyday, laughing tons and working with the greatest crew imaginable...I can honestly say that absolutely nothing could make me any happier or healthier in this moment.
This road, in unfamiliar places, to health and to learning is beautiful. I love Cuzco for everything it's teaching me and life for giving me this amazing opportunity.
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