The Road to Bolivia

Let's GO!

The last of Peru . .

Sleeper bus

Immigration

Hello Bolivia!

 Bolivian Immigration 

La Paz, Bolivia

 Bus Station in Bolivia

I just got back to Cusco, Peru from a 2 week stay in Bolivia. It was a great trip. I went to La Paz, Quime, Copacabana and Isla del Sol, but more about that later. I just thought the road to Bolivia was pretty and interesting. . . I learned a lot about Evo Morales, the Bolivian President, the Aymaras and met a lot of cool people I hope to meet again someday. 

Traveling is nice, it opens up my perspective. I'm very thankful to have this opportunity and am trying not to feel guilty about it. Just trying to enjoy this time in my life because it's only happening once, now! Life is an open book, there are infinite options that lay before me. Being young is really nice- I'm unattached (no home, spouse, job or children), I have the momentum of dreams and goals that I've been working towards my entire life and I'm gaining greater perspective on this life experience in general- through traveling, accepting life's lessons with as much grace as I can and always seeking how I can make this life enjoyable, worthwhile, full of love, connection and opportunity. Being aware of my surroundings and knowing that everything around me is here for a reason, out of my attraction or to challenge me in my beliefs. I've been too interested in this life experience, since I was a child, to be completely involved in the physical aspect of it. What a great time it is be alive!

Happy ChristmaHannuKwanza and have a Merry New Year!!

Casa Cutural

I have been co-teaching dance the past week and 1/2 at the newly re-opened Casa Cutural de Aldea Yanapay. They offer Nutrition, Yoga, Meditation, English, Portuguese, Character Animation, Dance classes and more. So far in Dance we've taught Waltz, Foxtrot, Polka and most recently the Charleston! Usually we wouldn't teach such a difficult dance, but we had very few students and lots of time to spare.

Shift

Last Sunday all of the volunteers rented vespas and went on a mini tour outside of Cusco. We visited a bunch of tiny towns and it was relaxing and interesting. (Click Pictures to Enlarge)

Amazing how such a scenic change can happen in such a short distance. Gorgeous views everywhere. Lots of stops for authentic Chicharron, cuy and freshly baked bread. I witnessed the tail end of a funeral. The funeral goers marched the casket down the streets. It was raised above their heads and even doing spins in the air as a song was sung. What a beautiful sight. What a way to leave the world.

Chicharron Stop

Cuy Stop- guinea pig

Funeral

Back in Cusco- on our way to Saqsaywaman aka Sexy Woman

Saqsaywaman ruins from afar

Ruins

Cristo Blanco and ruins

 

This week I've been writing almost every day. I've also been nearing completion on my epic circle scarf that is now over 5 ft. With writing and knitting, I really love that I can spend time and energy working on them and when I'm done there's evidence of it. I'm used to having the work take place inside of me. I'm used to being the medium, the tool. It's nice to engage other tools. I'm working on things that I can step back from and figure out from a distance. It doesn't feel all mushed together. Everything isn't all touching inside of the machine like my thoughts and feelings are inside of me. The artist of the living experience. Actors.

Being creative has been wonderful, but it makes me miss my creative families and friends. The future and past are always romanticized, and now I see grand stories play out in my mind involving art parties, collaborative mind melding sessions, and creations. LA looks better on the internet.

All of these glorified lives on tumblr, romanticized promiscuity and drug use. This generation. Culture is so interesting. I'm excited to spend my life creating. Being around creative people. Where are the people that get high on art?