From Paracas, my last destination in Peru, to meeting with my parents in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

September 23, 12:15

I am sipping from my cappuccino while seated on a comfy couch in the corner of a restaurant with a view over the ocean. My happy place. It’s the last destination in Peru. I can’t believe how fast the last 2,5 months have flown by. I was able to see a lot of the Peruvian landscapes and it’s honestly the most impressive country I have ever visited. And I haven’t even been to the region of Cusco, the area where everybody goes to in Peru. So I have a very good reason so come back someday. And I have a feeling that I will!

September 24, 16:27

In half an hour it’s my brothers and sisters birthday in The Netherlands! For the past week I have been looking at the calendar on my phone soooo many times. I was afraid I was going to miss it. I kept thinking; okay four more days, three more days don’t forget, still three more days, almost the 25th, two more days, DON’T FORGET. And now I can almost safely say I didn’t forget. Almost.

Also, today I rented a motor scooter to drive around the national park of Paracas. The scooter was in terrible condition but it was so much fun and it reminded me of all the times Simone and I rented one in Asia. Mostly she drove and I sat behind her, cause more than ones, I fell or dropped the bike when I drove. But today I didn’t fell! I almost did, but that doesn’t count. Nevertheless, a lot of fun and a really beautiful area.

September 25, 09:29

Cappuccino. Ocean view.
That’s it. That’s really all I want AND all I have. Isn’t that amazing.

September 26, 11:08

Sometimes people can be so cute. Here in Paracas, in the morning, the boats leave to a small collection of islands off the Peruvian coast. Islands where there is nothing but wildlife. So many sea lions, penguins, bright red crabs, different species of birds. And we humans go there in our little boats, to look at the animals and take photos. And an hour later, after we circled around the islands, we go back to the mainland. Completely happy that we took this short little trip to look at animals on a rock. I absolutely love it.

12:56

I am physically so tired. On TikTok I have been seeing all this information about the menstrual cycle and corresponding hormone levels. I should be getting my period soon, so that means I am in the luteal, autumn phase. And this means you generally feel less motivated, less productive, less energetic. Exactly how I am feeling the past few days. Mentally I have been beating myself up about not doing enough and not being productive enough. So getting more information about the hormonal cycle is actually so interesting and affirmative. It’s normal to feel moody and it’s totally okay (note to self). So I am following the tips that I found online: take it slow, don’t be so hard on myself and enjoy that extra snack.

September 27, 15:50

Soooo, my period started. Aside from the cramps, I feel a lot better already. Less bloated and mentally just better. Still low on energy but that doesn’t matter today, cause it’s travel day anyway. And not just any travel day. Noooo, it’s travel day to Bolivia! Where I will see my parents! I am so excited!! They are already in a plane somewhere above the ocean. And I am in a bus on the way to Lima, to catch a flight that leaves after midnight. I can’t believe I’m gonna see them in about 13 hours! Super super excited! I don’t really care about Bolivia to be honest, I am just happy I get to see my parents again. YAAAYYYY!

September 28, 11:25

It’s coffee time! Both my parents and I arrived at the airport around 4:30 this morning, so we are TIRED. But also super happy to see each other, so that makes up for it! This afternoon we will go to an ecologic park to look at some animals, which is the perfect opportunity for me to test out my new lens! I got it as a late birthday present (or half of it actually) so super excited to start using it!

September 29, 14:35

We have arrived at Jardin de las Delicias, a waterfall in the national park Amboró. It was a whole thing to arrange it, cause we couldn’t really find a tour with normal pricing. So we decided to go by ourselves. An hour in an Uber to a town called El Torno and then we had to find a 4x4 that would bring us to the park. Once there we got assigned a guide, cause you’re not allowed to enter the park by yourself. A whole journey, but we did it! Only to find the stream of water to be kinda small haha. But as they say, it’s all about the journey, not the destination.

AND, on the way there I got the best compliment ever. Cause right before the entrance of the park, our chauffeur of the 4x4 told us we had to pay an entrance fee and asked if I were Boliviana, cause then the fee is lower. I said no, cause obviously. So he shrug his shoulders, said okay and kept driving, but only 2 minutes later he stopped the car again and told me that I should tell them that I am a Boliviana, cause my Spanish is definitely good enough. WHAT. He thinks my Spanish is good enough?! That’s insaaane! I really have been trying to learn and improve, but I thought it was going a bit slow. So to hear from a local that it’s good and even good enough to pass for someone living here, that’s just a great compliment and a good motivation to keep learning. So happy!