Scenes from My Trip to Peru

{Missing the guy above already...sigh.}

Places we visited--all of which I would highly recommend:

• Cusco: If you go, you must eat at Limo + Chicha.
• Aguas Caliente
• Machu Picchu: Here we hiked up Machu Picchu mountain for an amazing view of the ruins + took a tour of the ruins. Feels like a dream. This place is one of the 7 wonders of the world for a reason!
• Huascarán National Park: We hiked up to Refugio Ishinca at 14,271 feet in the Cordillera Blanca (part of the Andes). We then spent two nights at a very rustic cabin in a valley before hiking down. We did a day hike on our second day here that took us up to a glacial lake and to the highest point that I've ever climbed, 16,000 feet (Higher than any mountain in the continental US!). I felt the altitude and moved like a snail, but it was incredible. Hardest thing I've ever done, for sure. 
  
• Huaraz
• Shirapucru: Small village where my brother lives. Here we saw his house + room, met his family, met his sweet dog and her two puppies, saw the solar panels he's recently installed in his local Community Center, visited the schoolroom where he teaches, ate some local delicacies (I skipped the Guinea Pig!), and saw his family's farm. 

Hardest/Saddest parts of the trip [Because Peru is a "developing country," I can't talk about the trip without mentioning these things, even though I loved the trip and the country]:

• All of the poverty: We saw a lot of poverty on this trip. It was everywhere--in the country, in the city, and all along the way. This was obviously very hard to see but also very eye-opening. It made me so grateful for where I was born and everything that I have and have been given. 
• The stray + homeless dogs EVERYWHERE: A big part of me wants to move to Peru and start a spaying/neutering nonprofit and dog shelter. The packs of homeless dogs that covered the streets, eating the garbage and begging for attention, broke my heart every day. I wanted to bring them all home. 
• The lack of modern amenities + basic creature comforts: I have never been so thankful for our toilet paper, warm water, and cleanliness in my life!
• The trash everywhere: Peru has a trash problem. They just pile it up on the streets, throw trash out the windows of their cars and buses, and allow to spill over into even the most beautiful places. It was really upsetting. 
• Driving our rental car in Lima: If you travel to Peru, I DO NOT recommend renting a rental car and driving in or out of Lima. We did this and it was the most harrowing drive of my life. I didn't drive, my dad did, but even so, it was horrifying. The traffic there is insane--and insane is an understatement. 

Thanks for your patience while I took a blogging break! I was really able to let go of everything back at home and just BE in Peru while I was traveling, which was such a gift. I'm refreshed ;) 

What. A. Trip.  I mean, wow. Have you been to Peru? If so, you know what I mean when I say that my trip there was life- changing. If not, you must add it to your list of places to visit someday. 

Because words cannot really capture or explain how special this trip was--and because I know that reading travelogues can become quite tedious and uninteresting--today I'm sharing the highlights of my experience through two of my fave methods: pictures +  lists...

What I loved the most: 

• Spending 10 days of quality time with my little brother and dad. We've never traveled together before (just the 3 of us), and we probably never will again. It was really special. 
• The overwhelming and astounding nature that we saw. I've never seen so many ecosystems in one country and I was blown away by the gorgeous mountains, glaciers, boulders, deserts, luscious green valleys, and ruins that surrounded us. 
• All of the animals! The burros, the wild horses + wild cows that we saw on our hikes, the farm animals (pigs, goats, lambs, cows, and sheep--hello!!!), the alpacas + llamas, the adorable dogs (more on that in my next list), and the birds. 
• The colors of Peru. I seriously couldn't get enough of the traditional clothing and textiles of this country. All of the bright colors, the woven patterns, and the handmade everything blew me away. I wanted to buy all of the things and decorate my entire house in Peruvian textiles. I did buy a few wall hangings and throw pillow covers, which I'll share once I have them hung/in use ;)
• The walking + hiking. Over the course of the trip, we walked 65 miles (thanks for keeping track, Fitbit!). That's an average of 8.14 miles per day! Our longest day was 12.62 miles and on our biggest hike we walked up 498 flights of stairs (again, according  to my Fitbit). All of this walking was at over 10,000 feet, which is pretty insane when you think about it. Since I love walking, this = bueno. 
• Seeing my little brother in his element! I was so impressed with my brother, Patrick. Not only does he speak fluent Spanish, but he's also become fluent in the local language of his area, Quechua. He was an incredible local tour guide and has really integrated himself into the culture where he lives. I was blown away by him. t