This morning, Lauren and I gave bigs hugs good-bye as it is time for us to go our separate ways to start our volunteer experiences. As I write this, I am in the Juliaca airport waiting for my flight to Lima and then on to Trujillo. As a rode in the taxi here, the same anxiety that gripped me as we left Colorado started again. It’s been a long time since I have traveled alone internationally (as Lauren’s journey continued by bus) so the fear of navigating this tiny airport (where only Spanish is spoken) paired with the unknown about what Trujillo will bring again triggered my nerves. But, I made it to the gate and there is something empowering about knowing that I can do this. (Plus,nthey are playing soothing Peruvian music on a boombox at the gate so what’s not to love!)

Five hours later and a confusing layover in Lima (as you have to exit and go through security again), I’m here! The flights went smoothly, and I made it to Trujillo. Rosmery, the program director, met me at the airport with big hugs, and it felt like it was a warm welcome home to see one’s grandma. It was the perfect way to calm my nerves and give me the courage to carry on a conversation in Spanish as we drove back to the volunteer house. Arriving here, there are 11 volunteers in total and I am by far the oldest by at least 20 years. (Good thing I like hanging out with my kids and their friends!) I am the only volunteer from America- the rest are from Canada, Switzerland, Spain, and at least half from France- so quite a mix of people. Right now, as the “mom” of the group, they gave me my own room (pictured below- continuing my analog, it looks like a summer camp cabin.). Tomorrow, I start at the school so more to come…