This weekend us volunteers got the chance to live up to that tourist stamp we all have on our visas. Saturday morning we left for Ollantaytambo where we checked out some pretty sweet ruins, did a bit of hiking/walking, and learned a whole bunch about the amazing history and culture here. These people were crazy genius! We came back to Urubamba for lunch and then headed out to Saqsaywaman, another set of ruins. They had quite a bit there including an amazing view of Cusco, a gigantic statue of Jesus who overlooks the city, and these sweet natural slides! If you haven't heard me say it enough, it's all just so gorgeous!On our way from Urubamba to Cusco I seriously got mad at my camera. I know, it
sounds ridiculous, but I just wanted it to do more. It wasn't capturing all that I was seeing and feeling. It wasn't capturing even half of it. The pictures don't do the place justice. I know, so cliche. But oh-so-true. I want to somehow put my experiences, feelings, amazing views, etc, in my pocket and bring them home for you. I want to share them. I was telling Jon, the things I'm seeing and witnessing right now are things that I don't want to share with those here. They're too intense. I feel like my heart is forced to open up and be passionate here and I want to share it with those who already know, or even have part of my heart, for those who aren't just new friends. It's one of those experiences that makes your heart and soul just want to explode out of your body. Constantly. Just being surrounded by all those gigantic, majestic mountains does something to a person. I think it's different for everyone. I was sitting there, above the ruins in Pisac, and just looking out off of this perfect rock. I realized that in all this amazingness, I am content. Looking at these enormous, God-created moutains in front of me, I did not have the desire to conquer them. I did not want to see more, or do more. I wanted to somehow tuck myself up into the side of the mountain and just be safe. Secure. It's hard to explain really. I wanted to be beneath it, but next to it at the same time. As close as I could get. I wanted to accept it's greatness and be okay with just that. Just being near it. And protected by it. Just knowing it is there and it is beyond comprehension. It really relates quite a bit to my relationship with God. I just want to accept that He is there, and He is taking care of me. I desire to know more, and be closer, but I don't often have the desire to understand Him. And although I know that it is possible to conquer a mountain, and impossible to do the same with God, I think my feelings about the two are quite similar. I just want to be there, as close as possible, taken care of by something too great to understand.
I get this weird feeling being here. It's impossible to understand, impossible to explain. I feel more whole than I have ever felt, in peace, looking out at the mountains. And yet at the same time, I think I have more desire than I have ever had. There's this constant fight in my mind of complete satisfaction, and complete yearning. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses: "However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor 2:9) I think, looking out at the mountains, I can see what God has created for us, and in that I know everything is good. Everything will be right. And yet, at the same time, it reminds me that there is more out there for us. More than we can ever imagine.Anyway. Lot's of thoughts this weekend. We also spent Saturday night in Cusco and it was a blast. We went to 3 different discotecas and danced until like 4:15 am. I haven't danced like that in forever. Salsa and merengue was the style until like 2, and then the US style dancing started up. I had a lot of fun with the other volunteers and met a few Peruvians and some other travellers.
My legs are killing me now. Not only from the dancing, but the hiking as well.
But all-in-all, it was a great weekend. And I'm looking forward to a bunch more.
Hasta luego amigos.
3 comments:
Hi Kelsey,
He estado leyendo tu blog. No puedo creer todas las cosas que van a por ti. Suena como si se están adaptando bien. Me alegro de ver que usted está tomando algún tiempo para explorar. Yo estaba triste de oír acerca de su madre de acogida de perder a su bebé.
No puedo creer que ya has estado allí durante un par de semanas. Yo no sabía acerca de su blog hasta que tuve la oportunidad de hablar con usted mamá. Espero que no le importa, pero me dio la dirección de Steven. Quería ver lo que tenía que decir. Voy a terminar por ahora, pero voy a escribir más pronto. Tenga cuidado y me encanta ya. Tía Kathy
Hi Honey,
I'm so very excited for you and all you are experiencing...already. The pictures are fantastic. I completely understand what you mean when you write "It's one of those experiences that makes your heart and soul just want to explode out of your body". You may not believe this but your explanation of your unexplainable feelings and emotions you are experiencing explains your feelings and emotions very well. I understand very well what the mountains are doing to you. Maybe not quite the level of intensity but certainly the sensations.
I was deeply sadened by the news about your Mom (Martha) and will certainly continue to pray for her and your family there. Knowing the carring, loving, compassionate person that you are, you are doing everything within your power to help them get through their pain. I'm certain they are grateful for your presence and all you are doing to help them through.
I'm so happy and excited for you. Sounds like you are starting to blend a little better and be a part of the culture instead of being apart from the culture.
Love ya tons!!
Dad
P.S. When I read your most recent post it put tears in my eyes. I cannot really explain these tears except to say they are not tears of sadness but tears of understanding, of relating, of knowing exactly what you were talking about and perhaps "feeling" a little of your experiences myself. Thanks for sharing.
Love some more, Dad
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