deporte y vida.

Well today I had to say goodbye to the kids and the 2 teachers that I volunteered with all semester at Deporte y Vida. It was definitely one of the hardest goodbyes I will make leaving Peru. I have learned so much from them, probably more than they learned from me, and it was really hard getting into the taxi knowing I may never see any of them ever again. Overall, I think that is going to be the hardest part about leaving Peru: not knowing when I will get to come back to the country that I have grown to love, and also not knowing when I will see all the friends I have made again.

They all are amazing people. The kids are so happy with life and what they have, which really isn't that much and it makes me think about how much I complain about the littlest things. Their part of Lima doesn't have running water and they have to go everyday to get their portion, and I complain when the water is too hot or too cold. Another thing I admire is how important their families are to them. Almost all of them start working pretty young and they do it because their families need them too and they don’t question it. I want to be more like them. I really want to spend more time with my family and try not to always be bothered by the stupid little things. And the teachers are the nicest women I have met in Peru. They barely knew me and yet they treated me like we had known each other for years. They thanked me for coming and spending my time there with them and, of course, I couldn’t stop crying long enough to thank them for being such wonderful people but I hope they know and that I wish them all the best.

We had a party today as a Christmas celebration and kind of as a farewell party for us volunteers. We got t-shirts made for the kids as their Christmas presents that say deporte y vida and then there is a sun. And there were extras so each of us girls got one too. I am really excited to have it to always remind me of what amazing kids they were. And Norma, one of the teachers, gave us a typical Peruvian keychain, super excited to put it on my keys when I get home, hopefully it will help to remind me to think of the kids every day.

A Peruvian friend told me last night “you will only be 3800 miles away, nothing more”, to which I replied 3800 millas es un montón, and he just laughed at me. Then he said, “no es un adios, es solo un hasta luego”, but that one is a little harder for me since I really don’t know when later will be, “pero así es la vida, no?”.

Gonna be a tough week of goodbyes and/or see you laters. I am really excited to come home, but also extremely sad to leave this place and its people. I am headed out of town on Tuesday to Arequipa/Puno/Lake Titicaca so I will blog when I get back.

hasta luego,
<3 aj

p.s. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes! It was a great birthday and one that I will never forget. I have the greatest friends and family a girl could ask for. I love you all very much!