September 4, 2012 2:40pm
I cannot believe that it has been less than 24 hours since I left my house in Skokie. So much has happened since then. Although my flights were all on time and were comfortable, the time before and after the flights were extremely stressful. When I got to Miami from Chicago, I had to take a 35 minute walk to my new gate, which was extremely unpleasant because I kept freaking out that I was going to miss my flight and because I was carrying an extremely heavy backpack and carry-on duffel. Speaking of that carry-on duffel - thank god I had it! When I got to Lima I was supposed to recheck my bag, but, of course, my bag was not there. So, I spent half an hour in line with ten other people that had flown through Chicago and had lost their bags. By the time I finally was able to talk to an airline representative it was 6:05 and my plane was supposed to board at 6:10, so at this point I was almost in tears. They helped me fill out all the paperwork and promised that my bags will be returned tomorrow…fingers crossed. Then, I had to go through security again and rush to my gate. But, of course, all of the screens showing departure gates and times were no longer showing any flights leaving before 7:06 and mine was supposed to depart at 7. I frantically asked several people working in the airport where to find my gate and they all said that they didn’t know and to check the screen. Finally, I found someone on the far side of the airport and she told me to go to Gate 4 and told me how to get there. By that time I felt like sobbing because I was so stressed and tired, so thankfully that’s right when I ran into my Mom’s friend Maria who happened to have been switched onto my flight. It was comforting to talk to someone I knew. Also, Maria’s daughter had lost her bag when she went to Chile last year and didn’t even bring an extra pair of clothes, so she comforted me in reminding me that I was still prepared even though I didn’t have my bag. And the plane hadn’t even started boarding when I got to my gate at 6:30.
The flight from Lima to Cusco was just over an hour and I fell asleep almost immediately after I sat down. Luckily I woke up feeling dehydrated right when the flight attendant came around with beverages and snacks. After I ate crackers and a chocolate wafer and drank some water, I felt much better and started to doze off again right when we started to fly over the Andes. It was so beautiful (side tip: if you’re ever flying from Lima to Cusco (hint Mom, Dad, and Matthew) try to book a window seat on the left side of the plane because you will see the most wonderful view of the mountains as well as Cusco) and I enjoyed most of the view, but could not keep my eyes open for all of it.
When I got off the plane in Cusco, I decided to make sure my bag didn’t somehow get on that flight so I stood by the baggage claim until all the bags had been collected…no such luck. So, I went outside to find the Projects Abroad staff person. Tatiana greeted me with a warm smile and told me the plan for the day as we walked to find our taxi. As we drove out of Cusco we saw Incan temples and monuments of Incan rulers, as well as people holding wads of soles offering to exchange them for foreign currency - Tatiana warned me that all of that money was fake and not to be fooled. Next we were on our way to Urubamba, which is an hour away from Cusco and is where the Projects Abroad offices are located. At the office I got to meet a couple more of the staff, use the bathroom, e-mail my parents to say that I had arrived, and see all the supplies I can take when I start teaching in the kindergarten. In Urubamba, Tatiana explained how to take a bus from Pisac (where I’ll be staying) and then a taxi to the offices. Next we drove to Pisac which was another 35 minutes from Urubamba. I kept dozing off on all of these car rides, despite my efforts to stay awake, and the taxi driver kept looking back and laughing at me every time I would jerk myself awake. Finally we arrived in Pisac, which is beautiful. It’s this tiny little town with a big market that is held every day and I live right in the center of town - just a block from the market and surrounded by gift shops, restaurants, and internet cafes. It seems perfect. My host family seems great. I have my own big room and there is another volunteer staying in the room next to mine. She has been here for three days now, so it was nice to have her here once she got back for lunch. Speaking of food, I have been here for three hours and already my host mother has given me a mango smoothie, papaya smoothie, and a delicious lunch of rice, lentils, and a fried egg. I will be well fed!
So, now I am lying in my bed typing this and as soon as I am done, I am going to take another nap (I already slept for an hour before lunch). I am exhausted, but happy.
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