Cusco, a continuation

Yesterday I met Jen and Monique to hang out in DC for the day. Jen just moved from California and is living here now and Monique, who's from Holland, has been in DC visiting for most of May. It was so great to see them and the day ended up being so much fun. We took the metro in to Eastern Market and got brunch and then explored the farmer's market and flea market. Afterwards Jen took us to Georgetown because neither Monique nor I had ever been. The highlight was Georgetown Cupcake where the line was pretty far down the sidewalk. About a minute after we started waiting, the rain began. We waited about 15 minutes but it was absolutely worth it. The cupcakes looked amazing and when I took my first bite of my peanut butter fudge one I had somewhat of a religious experience. I'm already planning in my head the next time I'll be able to go back. The rain, thankfully, was shortlived (and therefore like the South American storms) and so we walked around Georgetown for a while. There are adorable streets with canals and locks and we sat and relaxed in front of the fountain down near the Potomac. Our final event was the Machu Picchu restaurant in Falls Church. It felt so exciting to be back with my friends from Cusco, sharing really rico Peruvian food. We all shared cebiche as an appetizer and then I had pollo saltado for my main course. It was great and they even had jugo de maracuya which really made me happy. On the way back to the metro to pick up my car we listened (and danced to) some of our favorite discoteca favorites. The entire day was pretty perfect.

Dia 123: Ultimo Dia en el Imperio Inca

Technically, I'm no longer in the Imperio Inca anymore. I'm a bit further north, at the Lima airport to be exact. I have 4 more hours until my flight. I'll be back in the U.S. around 8:30 tomorrow morning and then in Washington DC around noon. It's completely surreal to be leaving Cusco, to know I'll be back home tomorrow. It's not that I don't want to see my family or friends, but right now I'm really bummed to leave. Saying goodbye to so many wonderful people was really difficult. To the beautiful little girls at Buen Pastor orphanage who have shared their skills and stories with me the past month and half, to my familia cusqueña who have taken care of me (as a parting gift, my family bought me a really beautiful scarf made of alpaca. I gave my dad Casablanca and bought flowers for my mom) to the professors at school who helped me learn a great deal of Spanish and who have been my friends, and to all of my other crazy friends from countries all over the world who have made the experience what it's been. It's always hard when experiences like this end, because it comes with the knowledge that it can never be recreated. I'm not afraid to never see Cusco again or even to not see so many of the great people I've met becase I know I'll return to Cusco and I have very high hopes for seeing my friends again. I do know that it just won't be the same though. But despite the sadness over leaving, I am so grateful for all that I've seen and done the past four months. I think and hope that I've grown a lot.
Last week, we went to a picanteria with our professor Edwin and drank chicha. Drinking with a professor is always fun, especially when you're given details about his losing his virginity. Last week we also had our final presentations. We had to write 5 pages and do a 20 minute presentation. I chose the topic of machismo and I was proud of my paper. My presentation, unfortunately, was not my finest hour. I gave my presentation and then proceeded to faint as soon as Carolina, one of the administrators at the school, asked me a question. I'm disappointed that I let my nerves get the best of me, but there's nothing I can do about it now. Last night for my final dinner in Cusco, we went to the Muse and I had anticuchos de alpaca (kebabs) and shared a large beer with another professor, who, it will suffice to say, I have a very special place in my heart for. I think it's been a good ending to a wonderful trip. I'm happy with how things ended, but I wish I had more time here. Hasta luego, Cusco. Has sido increible.