Tinted Glasses

Here I am.  It's me.  Standing right in front of you.  The girl you've known so long; almost three years now.  The girl you think you know so well; better than almost anyone.  It's me.  The girl who doesn't dance very well; who lacks a certain rhythm.  The girl who cannot sing, at least not in front of a crowd.  The girl who can't let go and has trouble being free.  The girl who seems so shy, you never know what's on her mind.
Here I am. It's me.  Standing right in front of you.  You look into my eyes, deeper than most ever try. Your gaze makes me believe that you really do see me, the girl you think you know so well.  But is the girl you see really me?  Or is she the girl your tinted glasses make me out to be?  The things you see in me are true.  But they are only pieces of the puzzle; most certainly not the whole picture.  Take off the glasses and you're mind will be blown by what you find.
Here I am.  It's me.  Standing right in front of you.  The girl you don't know at all.  The girls who loves to let loose on an afternoon drive or in a cold mountain stream.  The girl who would drop everything just to go on a crazy adventure with you.  The girl who's wittier than you'll ever realize because often it's over your head.  The girl who doesn't need to be crazy, because she's comfortable with herself .  The girl who can get along with anybody as long as they can get along with her.
Here I am.  It's me.  Standing right in front of you.  But I won't be here for long if you can't learn to see me right. I won't be here for long if you can only see the qualities I lack instead of the ones I possess.  If you can't love me for me, the real me, not just the one you see, then I will no longer be here, standing in front of you.  Take off the tinted glasses or watch me walk away.  There you'll be.  Just you.  Standing alone as I walk away from you.

One Thousand Words

They say one picture can be worth one thousand words, and up until this point I believed it was true.  But as I stood upon that great hill, engulfed in wondrous nature and timeless history, I thought to myself that if a picture is truly worth only one thousand words, than a even a million pictures could not do justice to the scene before my eyes.  
Our adventure began with breakfast at the wee hour of 4:45 a.m. Forty-five minutes later we were lined up along the streets, tickets in hand, waiting to load the buses that would take us to Machu Picchu.  Hundreds of people were waiting in line with us, just as eager and just as tired.  The line we waited in was moving faster than the sun was rising and we were lucky to have made it onto a bus shortly after entering the line.  The bus ride was an adventure in and of itself and of the thirty minutes that it took to get to the top, I had visions of dying a terrible death during every single one of them.  The roads were nothing but packed dirt and loose pebbles that snaked sharply on the side of the steep hill like neglected vines overtaking a home.  The American mind is inclined to believe that there would be room for only one bus on the road at a time, however the Peruvian mind is inclined to think otherwise.  We passed multiple other buses on our bumpy journey to the top, each time praying we would scrape by without tipping over the sheer edge.  By the time we reached our destination at the top, we were met with a rush of relief.  Our adrenaline levels were soaring higher than the altitude as we waited in line to enter one of the world wonders.   As we walked through the gates, hearts racing and minds excited, it took only seconds to understand why this is in fact a wonder of the world.  
The morning sun was still hiding behind the towering mountains waiting to make its debut for the day’s new crowd of tourists.  Waiting for the sun’s arrival, the ruins were faintly lit by a light dusk but was clouded by the morning mist.   The mist hung around the valley and the ruins while it encircled the peaks, providing an extra dampness to the already humid climate.  We walked briskly through the ancient, hilltop town and made friends with some of the llamas on our way to the other side.  At the other side it was time to wait in line again for our entrance to the main event, our hike to Huaynapicchu.  While we waited for our turn to pass through the gate, we were accompanied by many others as well as the rising sun.  Waiting in lines has never been as peaceful and beautiful as this was.  We watched anxiously as we could see the tiny rays creep over the top of the giant, rigid hills and expand every second.  A few minutes later the whole valley of Machu Picchu, was fully illuminated by the white-hot rays of the sun and it felt as if the real action of our day could begin.  Shortly after the arrival of light, we were able to begin our journey to the top of the main peak and we set off excitedly.   Hiking to the top required much concentration as it was incredibly steep.  The side of the hill was laced with an uneven and decaying staircase that weaved its way along the outer shell of the mountain.  With each step you could feel the burn in your calves and thighs, but knowing that each step was bringing you closer to the top made the burning sensation worth it.   At any given moment you could not only stop to take in a breath, but also to take in an impeccable view of gigantic, skeletal mountains surrounding and protecting the heart of the valley, one of the world’s breathtaking wonders.  With every step closer to the top, the beauty and wonder were only compounded.  When we had finally lunged our way to the top it was only to discover that the top was quite literally just a pile of rocks being held together at the peak by invisible forces.  With one wrong move one could easily find the quickest way back to the bottom.   Up there on what felt like the top of the world, we sat on the edge of rocks and enjoyed a scene that would seem impossible if not right in front of our eyes.  To call it breathtaking seems harshly inadequate because of the intricacy of God’s creation but also because of the high altitude.  
Our journey back down the mountain gave new light to the phrase, “it’s all downhill from here.”  Physically it was obviously all downhill but metaphorically it seemed that nothing could trump the view our eyes had just been blessed with.  Almost halfway down I stopped at some ruins that looked as if they could have been an ancient home.  It was small and humble and falling apart, but the view from the window beheld a priceless overlook of Machu Picchu.  Machu Picchu is a fairly large civilization but from this high up it was merely the size of my palm.  Looking down on that wondrous culture I was looking forward to getting back down there to immerse myself in the history and the view I had enjoyed from the top.  We continued crawling back down the mountain and into the city of the Incas, this time illuminated by the afternoon sun and free from the morning mist.  The afternoon was spent immersed in Incan culture and stunning beauty.    Words and pictures can never be enough to fully describe the events and grandeur of that day.  Just in case, in an effort to help you see the beauty, in conjunction with a few pictures, here are my one thousand words.   

Sacred Valley

It's no wonder they call the valley sacred.  With it's majestic mountains and it's ancient ruins, it truly is a place of wonder.  The mountains stand taller than any I've ever seen and act as protectors of the valleys and their inhabitants.  the valleys are filled with farmers who work tirelessly to harvest the plethora of crops around and peddlers who spend their days in their tiendas at the markets waiting for the tourists to come crawling through.  The Urubamba River weaves its way through, bringing life and refreshment to the beautiful sacred valley.  It is considered sacred not only for its stunning beauty but also because it is saturated with the history of the people of this country.  here in this valley are many ancient ruins of the once powerful empire of the Incas.  The Incas spent years constructing their dwellings out of rocks and the structures thereof are something of a spectacular feat., well beyond their time.  Thanks to time and the Spanish Conquistadors, sadly all that is left of these marvelous wonders is ruins.  But as one walks through these ruins it is not difficult to see the elegance that was once there and see the fruits of their hard labor.  being in these ruins was the closest to time travel I´ve ever been.  Touching those perfectly chiseled rocks that have stood immovable for hundreds of years, each one with a story to tell, felt almost as if we'd gone back in time.  People may wonder where it gets its name, but if you visit yourself you'll understand that it truly is a sacred valley.

Knights in Peru

As knights in Peru we've been blessed with many amazing experiences.  At 11,000 feet high, in an ancient imperial city, it often feels as though we're on top of the world.  From the culture to the scenery our minds and our eyes are never left for want.  There is so much history, from which we are learning and with cultural differences our eyes are being opened to a whole new world.   Majestic mountains with thousands of years worth of secrets, surround the city and watch over its inhabitants.  Each day I see them my heart grows fuller and prays that the image will stay fresh in my mind forever.  They say traveling is the only thing you buy that can make you richer, and I truly believe it.  For although my bank account is now empty, my heart and my mind are full.  

Although many lessons have been learned the most important of them all has nothing to do with history, culture or natural beauty.  The most important lesson learned was in the most unlikely state.  Over the past few days many of us have fallen ill and being sick in foreign country can open up a whole new level of discomfort.  It was during this discomfort that I was reminded that the gospel is true on no matter which continent.   During my weak and fallen state I was brought back to comfort with the power of the priesthood.  Oh how blessed I am to have been reminded that no matter what continent I am on, or what language is being spoken around me, Christ's love and gospel is steadfast and immovable.  The same yesterday, today and forever... no matter where you are!  My heart is full of gratitude for my worthy knights in Peru.

My Mountain

From the bottom to the top, from the canyon to the face, my mountain is mine, and in my heart has a place.   My Mountain stands tall, just the way I like, up there so high, I can’t wait to hike. My mountain is jagged, and has weathered many storms, though some are rough, I love all its forms.  My mountain has been burned but it never crumbles, instead it cleanses, and remains so humble.  My mountain is home to many animals around, and a plethora of plants, to it are bound.  My mountain is laced with many rivers and streams, replenishing the earth and everyone it seems.  My mountain is peppered and dotted with lakes, some are big, some are small, but none of them fake.  My mountain is capped with pure, white snow, feeding the rivers and lakes down below.  My mountain is strong and this valley protects, from multiple storms standing high, so elect.  My mountain can be cold, but with the right gear, warmth can be found with no reason to fear.  My mountain has secrets, some I have found, others not yet, but surely I’m bound.  My mountain lets me trod all over its tracks, and never complains only smiles right back.  My mountain waits for me to get to the top, and when I am there, I sit and I stop.  My mountain shares with me a spectacular view, a view I wish I could share with you.  My mountain is not perfect, but I have discovered, its beauty and grace with much more to uncover.  From the bottom to the top, my mountain I have climbed, my mountain is mine because I’ve given it my time.  

From the bottom to the top, from the heart to the face, we are all mountains, in our own special case.  I am not very tall and that’s quite okay, I’m just the right size in my own special way.  I am quite jagged, and I’ve seen many storms, but they’ve made me who I am, in all ways, shapes and forms.  I have sadly been burned but I try not to crumble, I learn from the bad and try to stay humble.  I keep inside a home for those I love, and pray for them always to God above.  I have tears that turn to rivers, though sometimes just streams, but I let them flow and I eventually beam. I’ve been blessed with lakes of experiences and skills, to help those around me and bring them some thrills.  I have been capped with a hardworking mind, to feed the desires that my heart may find.  I am not always strong but I put forth effort, to protect those I love from ever getting hurt.    I am sometimes cold, of which I’m not proud, but with the right smile, my snow can be plowed.  I hold others up, let them walk all around, and never complain, for to Christ I am bound.  I wait for someone to get to the top, but most of the time people just stop.  I have access to a beautiful view, through my eyes only, but I can share with you.  I am nowhere near perfect but deep down inside, I am a good person with nothing to hide.  From the bottom to the top, this mountain you can climb, I’ll surely be yours if you’ll give me some time.  

The Imperial City

Cusco, Peru was the capital city of the Incan Empire hundreds and hundreds of years ago.  And now, although the city has changed, it is not difficult to see why. The city is cradled in a beautiful valley that rests 11,000 feet high in the midst of majestic mountains.  Not far from the city, the Urubamba River rushes through keeping the lands fertile.  Literally thousands of crops are grown here and every one that I´ve tasted has been delectable.  There is never a shortage of crops for food and this area has been overflowing with natural resources such as silver and gold.  The temperature is never too extreme in either direction and the scenery never leaves your eyes unsatisfied.  Every day in Cusco I see the friendly faces of the locals, smell the delicious food, soak in the gorgeous background and walk through ancient ruins of the Incas as well as more recent Spanish architecture and I think to myself, "This truly is an Imperial City".

Traditional

One of the best parts of visiting the islands was getting to fully experience traditions of their culture.  We started off with a very traditional lunch of quinoa soup, fried cheese, various sweet potatoes and beans.  I can honestly say it was one of the best, most authentic meals I've ever had the pleasure of putting into my mouth.  Shortly after the meal we were taken on a hike to some of the ruins at the top.  There at the top we soaked in the beauty as well as participated in the tradition of walking around the temple 3 times, each time making a wish.  Later that evening we were treated to another traditional meal which remains unidentifiable, but still good and then we were taken to the town hall.  When I say 'town hall' keep in mind that that doesn't mean it was big... we were crowded with maybe 100 people in there.  There we were treated to a fiesta with a live band and lots of traditional dancing.  The dancing mostly consisted of holding hands and moving around in a circle.  But with our American spirit we improvised and added some of our own moves, much to the shock and awe of the sheltered locals. The most traditional part of the evening however, was definitely the clothing.  Our housemothers dressed us each in the traditional clothing that they wear every day.  I wish I could accurately describe the clothing but all I can say is that it was heavy and constricting... but still fun to wear for a short time!  Hopefully pictures can help me in describing this part...