I got kicked out of my apartment on the first night after returning to Dublin, as my flatmate thought that he’d surely die of the virus. Rewind back a few months and I would find myself accepted for who and what I was, in the Sacred Valley, Peru; amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic forced lockdowns.
End of February, I set off for a three-week trip to Peru in my quest for Machu Picchu, the Incas, and mainly, The Amazon. Little did I know that life would present me with an opportunity that I would be so grateful for. As there was worrying uncertainty about the global COVID-19 implications, I saw a lot of fellow travelers cut short their trips to get back home. However, I happened to have met a girl, and booked another flight.
Fast forward to the start of May, there existed a nationwide lock-down in Peru and I was living with that girl in the Sacred Valley. Canceled flight, finished money, and looking forward to life. I failed explaining to my worrying parents in India that I was in the best possible place, and, perhaps with the best possible people. Kachi Ccata, a small village near Ollantaytambo, is hard to locate on the maps. I lived a very basic and inexpensive life there for more than five weeks. The people here follow most of the Inca traditions and speak Quechua. They were afraid of the corona-virus. I spoke no Spanish or Quechua, and the fact that I was a foreigner didn’t help in the beginning.
However, it didn’t take long for things to get better. Often, the people would offer me chicha (traditional corn beer) and share a conversation regarding the cultural similarity between Peru and India, whenever they saw me returning from the cornfields in the evenings. They’d speak Spanish and I’d try not to speak English. I would do so many things that my grandparents used to do in India. Make q’oncha (traditional cook-stove made up of stones) for food, go fishing, work in cornfields, collect firewood, pick out fruits and vegetables, go swimming in the river, play volleyball, go grazing pigs and oxen, and more importantly, to love; were some of the things I’ve learned and rediscovered. At first, I felt that the kids invaded my space every day. Later, I would find themselves giving me unconditional hugs, just like that!
I have been fortunate to meet many kind-hearted people in my previous travels, but never have I ever been on the receiving end of wholeheartedness of such magnitude. I tried to say goodbye to as many people as possible before I left. “Don’t forget us”, her mama said with teary eyes, and I couldn’t help but cry. I felt like expressing a ‘thank you’ would be disrespectful as I value them as a family.
Never have I imagined that many of my perceptions about life would get reformed after Peru, let alone those unique experiences. Engaging in conversations with people in languages that I’ve never known made me realize that the language has never been a problem, but just an aid. I’ve had an opportunity to be a little more accepting and open-minded and in turn, allow myself to receive all the ‘good’ that is there in the world. My experience in Peru strengthened that belief of mine that there’s always more ‘good’ in the world than the ‘bad’, if not equal!
This blog is an attempt to share my reflections and grow along the journey. Thank you for reading and I would love to hear your thoughts as well.
Please share your wisdom and insights in the comments below.
Great one Monil 🥂to 🇵🇪
Thanks Pragnesh. Cheers. 🇵🇪
Wonderful experience shared with beauty of worth writing work. All the best for future endeavors and will wait to read about your upcoming experience.
Thank you very much. 🙌
Great one! Waiting for another one!
Cheers 🙌
Bonita experiencia 😊
Agradecido. 🙌
Me encantó!!! Un gusto Monil.
Me gusta que te encantó K’erenda 🙌❤️
Awesomely inspiring one brother.
thanks yo 🙌
bien dicho Hermano
Great one Brother 👍👍
Thanks brother 🙌
Very good experience…And good writing.
Thank you 🙌🙏❤️
Magnificent, adequately written great work brother.
Cheers brother 🙌
Good one, Monil. Fantabulous indeed. Looking forward to more such work from you, brother.
Thank you brother 🙌
Buen post. My friend un abrazo y éxito en todo lo que venga por delante.
Gracias amigo. 🙌
This is one of the best articles of yours.Great job bro!! cheers🥂
🙌❤️ happy Diwali Krishna
Happy diwali & happy new year Monil🙏🏼
This is such a sweet story ♡ I feel deeply happy and satisfied when I read experiences like this one form people from other countries. It’s such a nice example of how life is mostly about… Keeping it simple, smiling, laughing.
Thank you for sharing this, it made me smile and melted my heart.
I’m glad that you like it Patsy 🙌❤️
Amazing read. Just goes to show how a holiday turned in to a life experience for you to cherish forever.
Exactly 🙌
What a beautiful experience! I’m happy to read that you had these beautiful days in my beautiful country Perú!
Thanks for sharing us 😁❤️🇵🇪
Agradezco a María. Can’t wait to be back again. 🙌❤️
You described your experience beautifully, it was such a pleasure reading this post. In this day and age where we are so busy and life moves fast moments like these deserve to be captured!
Totally. Thanks Anna. I’m glad you liked it. 🙌❤️🇵🇪
Wow monil bhaiya it’s look like You had a very good experience about life…Loved your pos.. Whenever you come to India please let me know …..we will talk about your beautiful experience…
Sure bro 🙌❤️
Very good Monil , …
The people of South America for the most part are friendly and very happy, I love that you will visit this side of the world, and that in the future you will also visit Chile 🇨🇱 .. thanks for sharing
I would love to visit Chile as well. Me gusta que te guste. 🙌❤️
I love that you will visit this side of the world, and that in the future you will also visit Chile 🇨🇱 .. thanks for sharing
Wow 😯
Amazing..!
Keep it up brother..!
Wish to be there with you 😜😜
Next time bro 🙌
I remember, I messaged you while you were there. I was so excited to see you over Peru valleys and I showed my whole house-mates most of your Instagram posts. I am happy that you got a family over there with so much care and love. I always wished that I can travel as you did. But something is pulling me back every time, I am not sure it’s maybe my mind negativity or other sacred family responses.
I hope that One day I will go and enjoy every place in this world that recreates a real human being in me.
thanks to this blog and I am happy that I read it.
I am very glad that I happened to have this experience. I am also very happy that you related to something nice in this post, Bijin.
I would say it’s not as difficult as we think it is. But, you are the only one who could help you do it as well.
I also hope that one day you’ll allow yourself to have the kind of experiences you want. Hopefully soon. Look after yourself brother. 🙌❤️
Pingback: Giethoorn | Reflections on The Road - Wanderlust Magazine
What a beautiful story. Last night I saw photos of the Sacred Valley, because I’m going to live there. Your history has made my heart vibrate. I already want to be there. Thank you for your words for my country, for my closest brothers.
Gracias Veronika. I’m happy for you that you are moving to the Sacred Valley. Happy days 🙌❤️
🎉💫🙏
Pingback: Pachamanca - Celebrating mother earth with the traditional food of the Andes - The Roaming Llama
its. amazing🙌🙌🙌
🙌❤️
Pingback: Looking back at my 2020 reflections - A year like no ordinary. - The Roaming Llama