Jessy, whose house we couch surfed at our first few nights in Peru and then again later in the trip, could not have been a more gracious host. We met up in Cuzco while she was there ringing in 2015 and she generously invited me to come spend even more time with her at her house in Lima. It was supposed to be another two weeks but ended up being three. Her family is the sweetest and included me in all family activities - parties, going out to eat and family dinners - and never complained about The Gringa That Wouldn't Leave or that I took up all of their daughter's time. Jessy and I spent plenty of time hanging out, dancing and eating ceviche, just as I'd hoped!
One night in Lima, Jessy and I went to her friends' house for a small get-together before we went out dancing. I hadn't met most of these friends of hers yet, but they graciously welcomed me in, fed me, included me in all their conversations and made me laugh a ton! At one point of the night, one of them asked Jessy how she had like New Year's in Cuzco. Of course, the obscene number of people in the Plaza de Armas at midnight also came up and someone consequently brought up the issue of pick-pocketing. Foreigners often get pick-pocketed there when it's crowded like that and especially when people are drinking. I told them that, yes, one of my friends actually did get pick-pocketed that night and came home without his phone or wallet. One of them said something along the lines of, "That's such a shame that that's what foreigners see when they come to our country."
My reply was something along the lines of "Well, he should've known not to take those things to the Plaza at midnight on New Year's Eve, while drinking and right after going to an ATM in public." However, looking back, I really wished I would've said more. I should've said,
Yes, every once in a while, someone gets pick-pocketed in your country. However, you don't need to worry because that is not what we'll remember when we look back on our time here. Looking back, I'll remember tonight and how you guys treated me like an old friend, even though you'd just met me. I'll remember Jessy and her family taking me in for over a month, out of nothing more than generosity. I'll remember all of the people who helped me on my way back to health in Cuzco. I'll remember people who gave me rides, invited me to meals or invited me into their homes. I'll remember the family of Peruvians and foreigners that I made in each city I went to. I'll remember the guides we met who taught us new skills and about your country and culture. I'll remember the people who gave me jobs when I needed them and patiently taught me how to do them. I'll remember my "Peruvian mom" who spent hours cooking for others every day and took time out of her day to spend with me. I'll remember Kevin and the group we did the San Pedro ceremony with. I'll remember every volunteer who stayed in our 12-person dorm. I'll remember the adorable kids Andrea and I played soccer with. I'll remember the friends who picked me up and dropped me off at the airport and the people who offered me a place to stay in their homes. I'll remember the bus rides, the beautiful landscapes, the trekking, the surfing, the sand-boarding, the dune buggies, the rock climbing and the dancing. I'll remember the beautiful people I met. No matter what material item is pick-pocketed from a friend or me, I guarantee that its value amounts to absolutely nothing when compared to the gift of getting to spend time in your country. It will be completely over-shadowed by the the long-lasting impression we'll forever have of the hospitality of your people and the beauty radiating out through the culture.
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