El fin, por fin
So here we are, my friends. The end of what I think has been the greatest adventure of my life thus far, and as my friend Sally says, the last bite of a truly delicious slice of pizza (8 semesters of college = one slice of college pizza per semester). I swam with the sharks, zip-lined through the jungle, climbed a few volcanoes, floated down a river in the Amazon, aced and bombed some Ecua tests, exited about 600 buses while they were in motion, found a new language, a new city and a new home. I am overwhelmed, to say the least and not quite sure how to describe what I feel now that I am alive and well at the end of it all.
Okay, so it’s not really the end. I do have 10 more days in Peru starting on Friday, but in between a five day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu and site seeing in Cusco without a computer, I’m going to have to make this my last post until I’m back safe and sound on United States soil. Thanks to all the readers out there for coming along for the ride. I wrote this blog as a way to share my experiences with family, friends and strangers and I feel so grateful that I now have memories and anecdotes of my time here, perfectly preserved forever on the worldwide web. Gotta love technology.
To my family that came to visit me in my new Ecua home, thanks for trusting me to go so far away and always reminding me that wherever I may travel, home is where you all are. To my Cornellian friends that spent their spring break and only week off on an Ecua adventure, you said you would come see me and you did! Nothing was better than seeing your faces in the Quito airport and being able to be your guia in this city of mine. To fellow students who are considering studying abroad: GO! Explore and travel and be unbelievably excited and extremely terrified for the time that lies ahead of you. Think outside the box and the country and the continent to truly push your limits. Every single day here contained a healthy and jarring dose of adventure and I am forever changed for having spent nearly five months on my toes. ¿Estás listo? (Are you ready?)
I guess that’s all I have to say about that. I’ll be home on the 25th of May and many of you will be getting calls saying that I have touched down safely and that I am excited for an incredible summer and amazing final year at Cornell. Please excuse my Spanglish, my stinginess, my soon-to-be bagel addiction and try not to be too jealous of my tan. Come visit this incredible country if you ever get a chance. Just be wary of blackouts and bug bites, don’t trust anyone to give you directions, remember not to tip, and bring a lot of small change. Tranquila, all. Que te vayas bien (take care) and nos vemos (we’ll be seeing each other) very soon, just un poco más allá. Amor, besos y saludos as always.
Your Ecua hija,
Ariel