The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

As I write this, I'm teetering between feelings of "take me back to the homeland!" and "puuuhhhlease, I'm never coming back." I've decided that feeling homesick and never wanting to leave can happen simultaneously. I miss my bed, I miss allllll the foods, and most importantly I miss my family. At the same time, I don't want to leave. The people are so kind, class is just our excuse to be here, and sunny and 75 everyday will never get old. It's an odd mix of emotions that has hit me over and over again. Today's blog will feature the good, the bad, and the ugly of some past events here in Peru.

The Ugly

Because I love to end on a positive note, I'm going reversies on the order here. Today I was brought back to a hilarious memory of my brothers in a bathroom in Florida with a wire coat hanger. To spare some details, Lima's sewage system is subpar. I think us American girls could open up our own plumbing business when we get back. The only other "ugly" I can think of is nothing ugly at all. It was just the smell of bird poop and sea lions when we visited Isla Ballesta in Paracas this past weekend. We took a boat early Saturday morning, leaving behind our precious air conditioned rooms that our school provided for us. We were pleasantly surprised by several pods of dolphins on our way to the island, and upon arrival were greeted by the barks of numerous sea lions occupying a rocky beach. Isla Ballesta encompassed several of the most unique and breathtaking animals and scenery I've ever seen.

There was so many cool, rocky structures!

Sea Lions

I learned how to paddle board!

The Bad

If you've ever felt homesick you'll understand that no matter how much fun I'm having here, a part of me always wants to be in touch with my Nebraskan world, and I can't seem to shake it. I miss brownies and ice cream with my parents on a random weeknight. I actually MISS my brothers constantly making fun of me. However, we are pretty much at the halfway point, and I have so much more to learn and to see, so I'm pushing through. A couple of meals at the hotel this past weekend were spent doing "high-lows" which brought me peace and reminded me of home. To ease my homesickedness (not a word, english is getting harder), I've found comfort in hanging around at my CrossFit gym here. There's just something about a community that pushes you to be and do your best, day in and day out. I'll be doing the open here which makes me oooohhhh soooooo happy. I've also made a friend at my box who lives super close to me, so I'm going to start hitching a ride with her. Overall, the bad really isn't so bad.

My CrossFit Fam, celebrating a birthday together!

The Good

Last and definitely not least, there's so much good here. The people are so kind, and I almost always feel comfortable testing out my broken Spanish. They make me feel good for trying, and overall Peruvians just give off a good vibe. Several birthdays have been celebrated within the last week, and although the words to the spanish birthday song are not engraved in my general knowledge, the atmosphere is what matters. From everyone gathered around a table eating cake, coffee, and orange mimosas (YUM), to a night at the gringo bar, to burpees and cake at the gym, the birthday celebrations here are simple but so so so happy. I'm absolutely over the moon about the people here. They make me want to be a better person. Overall, my experiences here can never be replaced or replicated.

Shelby's birthday celebration! Such a fun night.

Celebrating Marki's host mom's birthday!