Chachapoyas
Contemplating my decisions and changing my mind during the first week in Peru.
July 9, 09:22
I’m on the bus headed for Peru and the battery from my headphones just died. How annoying cause the trip to Jaén will take a full day - I probably won’t arrive before 18:00. And now I am forced to think about my life choices here. Especially after a heart-to-heart with Mike yesterday, it’s not easy. So I’m a little in my feels at the moment and wrote this poem:
when the battery dies
the music becomes silent
no one to listen to
but the sounds of your life
the screaming options
become a silent decision
was this the right thing to do
nothing to distract me
when the battery dies
July 10, 12:09
The border crossing yesterday was super easy and fast. And more fun than expected, cause I bumped into Mike there haha. I guess when you’re literally driving down the same road there’s really no escaping each other.
We were both in Jaén this morning so we met up again for breakfast before I took the bus to Chachapoyas. I’m excited to go there. It’s a smaller city between the Amazon and the Andes, so I’m planning to enjoy the surroundings and go hiking a lot. And I’m also happy to be out of Jaén this fast, cause that was just terrible. A whole new culture shock. People are shouting and there are so many motor taxis, who don’t look where they’re going. I just hope the rest of Peru is gonna be different. At least the bus ride is super beautiful! The northern part of this country is insane - just amazing! I am almost doubting my choice to go to Brazil. Maybe I should stay in this country longer.
July 11, 22:10
What a day. So much happened that I don’t even know where to start. I mean, I guess I’ll start at the beginning…
I went to a canyon, canon del Sonche, in the morning. Super nice hike from one mirador to another on the edge of the canyon. Just so beautiful, with the most amazing views. I did almost get attacked by wild horses and dogs, but I survived. Guess it was more their territory than it was mine, anyway. And in a situation like that, you just have to turn around and choose another path.
In the afternoon, I had such a great call with Simone. It’s always nice to dig a little deeper into why we make certain choices and Simone is just the best person to do that with. Usually, I am pretty clear on the what and why of my decisions, although I do tend to change my mind many times, it’s never out of uncertainty but usually just a change of opinion. This time I didn’t know what was best for me. A good talk with my best friend usually gives me the clarity I need, and so it did this time! So I am feeling very happy and grateful right now.
After the call I went to surprise Mike, who was working at a coffee shop, and asked if he still wanted to travel Peru together - and he did! So the rest of the day we spend working at coffee shops and thinking about a travel route for Peru. Another motorbike trip coming up! We’ll probably leave on Saturday and the whole trip will take about two and a half weeks, we think. So it looks like the trip through the Amazon will have to wait for another time.
Path along the edge of a canyon, outside of Chachapoyas, Peru.
July 12, 11:30
Coffee shop day! Full working day on Yellow Views and I am happy about it. I like these ‘working’ days. Also, yesterday was kind of a big day, activity- and decision wise, so an easy day like this, is very much appreciated. I am really happy that Mike and I are going to travel together some more. I think it’s gonna be good!
July 13, 15:28
I finished updating my website! So happy! Well, finished for now, cause I still want to write an ‘about me’ page, figure out how Google Analytics works, and work on the SEO. But that’s all future stuff. Now the first thing I am focussing on is sharing all of it on TikTok and Instagram. And once I have a rhythm doing that, I’ll find ways to make money. I have many ideas and I do think there are many possibilities, so I am super excited to get it all started.
And for the first time, I am not anxious about it. Cause at the start of my travel, finding ways to make money online was my main goal. But I was so obsessed with the whole thing and about finding a niece that would fit me, that it felt like I was forcing it, which did not help at all. In the last months, I shifted from obsession to enjoying where I am right now and choosing to do things that I love doing. So I kept writing and got into photography more and more. And when I decided to start sharing all of that, I felt much more at peace. So I have faith that the rest will work out, including the money thing.
July 14, 11:12
I’m sitting in a coffee shop, like every other day. The idea was to be active and go hiking and all that. But instead I, again, got too comfortable and am doing none of those things. I guess it’s a good thing that I get easily comfortable in new places. The downside is that I don’t like being too comfortable. I like the edge and the slightly uncomfortable feeling of not knowing what the day will bring. BUT tomorrow is the day we will leave for the motorbike trip through Peru. So I will feel less comfortable very soon and I am very happy about it.
