Go for a long, mountainous rock climb

Have you ever looked at your shoes and thought about the grounds they have walked? Have your soles gone as far as the closest city or country next door? Have the laces dragged on the pavements of people-laden New York City? San Francisco? London? Do you remember that Summer day when you stepped in liquid-like gum on a hot, paved sidewalk? Were you headed to a museum, to a concert or to visit a friend? And why stop at shoes? Your favorite scarf? T-shirt? Hat? Where have they gone? What, like your eyes, have they seen?   

My body and my articles of wear recently went on my long, mountainous rock climb, which I did not even remember I had put on this list. I've always been one to enjoy a good hike, preferring the climbs and diverse terrain over flatland so I pushed really hard for the trip to a peak called Canchón about 4 hours away from Pampas Grande on the second weekend since my arrival to the town.  Waking up at 5:30 a.m. and heading off less than an hour later with Diego, Eduardo, three of my students, and a dog, I had no idea what to expect. The kids, all of whom I thought would set us at a moderate pace being younger, sprinted ahead from the beginning and kept that pace throughout. Well, so much for that idea, I thought as I realized I would be the weakest link. Inclines are challenging but when you start out at 13,000-14,000 ft. above sea level and climb higher, with unaccustomed lungs, you tend to feel it a bit more. But, it was all too spectacular, I could not stop. And of course, during the hike, in true Diana-fashion, I managed to have a few casualties, the most humorous being putting my hand on a little cactus as I was climbing, about 2 hours into the trip, and having cactus needles sticking out of me. 

I will admit that at perhaps hour 3 of the journey, after the last 45 minutes being one of intense heaving-one's-body-up climbing, when we arrived at the base of the peak, I started to think that I would be okay stopping here. And then I looked at where I'd come from and where I was headed and WHERE I WAS and made the decision to keep going. It is like waiting for hours to get to the base of the Statue of Liberty and then being told the crown just opened up and you are first in line. You have to go! And then I got to the point where I was "in" Canchón, I had the option of climbing a bit more, A LOT higher and considerably more dangerous. I had that moment of hesitation but, just as you would, if you got a chance to move from the crown to the torch in Lady Liberty, I took that chance! Except we were above the clouds! BREATHTAKING!

At the top of a "mini" peak on my trek to Canchón, I let my feet hang over a huge boulder I was sitting on and looked down to the ground no more than 100 feet below me. And I looked at my boots. You have been in my suitcase on the travel to Perú, my friends. Your "passport" has been stamped. You have walked in the muddy roads of Pampas Grande and now you are climbing/hiking/walking some amazing terrain. And so are you fleece jacket.  And it's not to say that I talk to my shoes and clothing often, but I do think about where they have been. And it's a reminder to me that when you go somewhere or do something (whether in your town or another country) you aren't just taking yourself but, just like your clothing, also affecting those you meet, those you left, creating a memory for them too just as you did with your clothing. 

Visit Each Continent: South America

So have you been checking Pashunfroot for the last 40+ days wondering why there hasn't been a new post? I applaud your dedication to following my life. I left for Peru at the end of March and returned to the U.S. at the beginning of May. And since my return, I have been trying to figure out how to sumarize 40 days of my life into a semi-short post. I am currently writing up a more in-depth version which I'd be happy to share with you if you'd like. So here we go:

                                                    

Things I Did/What I Learned/Fun Facts about Pampas Grande:

1. The town in which I lived, Pampas Grande, is situated among the Andes Mountains. The entire town is on an incline.

2. I was at an elevation point between 13,000 and 14,000 feet. (Mt. Kilimanjaro is 15,000 ft high)

3. I ate guinea pig, multiple times. Known as cuy, it is a popular food in Peru. It was...interesting

4. Practically everyone only listened to Spanish music and danced Spanish steps...they looked at me as if I was crazy when I danced "American" and/or jammed to my music. Dejected much?

5. I bathed in Hot Springs that smelled like sulphur.

6. I hiked the Andes that very few people do as they don't make it to PG

7. I rode a motorcylce...and proceeded to crash it. I was told no more lessons for me.

8. The town of Pampas Grande does not have a police station.

9. I was the ONLY person who spoke English, which meant I HAD TO SPEAK SPANISH.

10. I witnessed my first rainbow in the sky  in Pampas Grande.

11. I now LOVE beets, never had before.

12. Among other things, I primarily taught English to students, ages ranging 11-21.

13. Teaching English is not easy. The English language has ridiculous "exceptions to the rules" that can be frustrating to anyone learning. Nonetheless, when my students started greeted me and trying to talk to me in English it put a smile on my face.

14. I ABHOR the mosquitos in Peru...they are HUGE and terrified me. I got laughed at. By kids.

15. I think Under Armour cold gear and Timberland waterproof boots as well as Sleeping bags are the best things ever! HUGE PLUG. Go out and buy them.

16. I wore shorts...basketball shorts at that...on a really rare, nice day and never felt more self-conscious in my life! It is uncommon in PG for the chicks to wear shorts other than for sports. Americana Tonta!

And on a more serious note, I have never enjoyed such sweet solitude as I did in Peru. While I was never really alone, other than when I was asleep, being alone in a foreign country where noone speaks your language was unforgettable. While I was caught up taking it all in and doing and eating things I'd never before, I still had moments of reflection. Have I come to concrete decisions about my life? Certainly not, but I do know some things that I DO NOT want to do. And I know that I want to do something that allows me to travel and volunteer and help others for more than just 2 weeks a year. I know I was silly to think that I would travel to Peru do my volunteer thing and return and move forward with my life without the people I met in my life.. I think it is awesome to know that I came away with friends in a foreign country.

Most importantly, the humble land of Pampas Grande has taught me about time and effort. Everyday, at least 3 times, I walked up some STEEP, seeming never-ending hills that leaves one out-of-breath. Most times, I would charge the hills as fast as I can, slow down a bit in the middle and charge ahead for the last leg determined to make it a workout. However, one time close toward the end of my trip, I was walking up the hill alongside the house I stayed in. I started thinking about the other people I have seen walking up this hill. Toddlers, Kids, Teenagers, Adults and Senior Citizens as well as donkeys, pigs and sheep alike all climb this hill. All of them, like myself, walk at a different pace but they all make it to the top, or to the bottom, and still have juice to keep going. And that's when I realized what Pampas Grande has most taught me. We are all walking the same roads, headed for different destinations, at our own paces, but if we keep our feet to the path and keep remembering to take that next step we will get to where we want to be. While some may get to the destination ahead of us or a bit slower, time is virtually inconsequential. Just remember to keep walking and take in the beautiful scenery and don't say no to opportunities along the way. And sure enough while thinking about this I made it to the top of the hill and to my destination. But I'm sure you all knew that already, right? It just took me going to Peru to figure it out. Different paces!