That´s right, I am taking my Catracho lifestyle on the road... to Appleton, WI, USA!
The next six weeks I will be based out of Appleton, while spending time with family and friends and possibly even doing some job searching. This trip was not necessarily part of the ¨master plan;¨ however, my time here has helped me to learn, that while having a plan is important, it is even more important to know when and how to break it... and so it is that I found myself walking through downtown Orocuina this afternoon, making the rounds to explain where I am going and to say goodbye.
Planes, trains, and automobiles will all be part of the ride home... along with buses and taxis... and everything short of a bicycle
While six weeks isn`t all that long in the grand scope of things, much can happen in the life of a small town, where everyone knows everything, and common courtesies, like letting people know you are headed out, save lots of explaining (and appologizing) on the way back in. Taking the time to pass by many of the friends I have made has reminded me how many amazing people there are here, and just how easy it is to show up at someone`s doorstep and spend the afternoon. (I should explain, when I say ¨pass by,¨ I mean sit down in the front room or lean against the outside of the building, talking and watching people walk by, for at least half an hour... because that is how things are done here. :)) I wish I would have planned to leave weeks ago just so that I would have made time to get out and talk to people, and am glad to know that I will have more time to aprovechar when I get back!!
Don´t get me wrong, I cannot wait to to go home and take advantage of all the states has to offer: farmers´ markets, yoga classes, unitarian universalist churches, the freedom to go out after 7pm, nice dogs, dark beer!!- and most importantly- family and friends less than 2 days of travel away!!!
I am also thankful for all that I have been given and grown during my time here: friends, a family, hazy mountain views in the afternoon, bird wake up calls, fresh coconut water for breakfast, kisses and hugs hello and goodbye, and an openness that never ceases to catch me off guard.
My work with AMDV and CASEP will continue. I will be researching and developing grant proposals, while spending time with and supporting family- I couldn`t ask for more!! In addition to work and family, I hope to better keep up with the blog, sharing funny and provacative stories that just never made it online, as well as the perspectives of an international traveler ¨coming home.¨
At my last visit to ¨say good bye,¨ I was on my way to the street when the old man of the house shouted, ¨No es adios, es hasta pronto,¨ It`s not good bye, it`s see you soon. The sweet irony rippled through me as I thought of all those in the states I refused to say goodbye to, saying only ¨see you soon.¨ Headed home and looking forward to coming back, he couldn`t have been more right!
Hasta Pronto!
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