In March of 2008, I took on Peru. Not knowing what to expect since this trip was only booked a month in advance and I did not research it, I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I fell in love with Peru. It was my first trip to South America and it definitely will not be my last. I want to see more. It all started with a fan meeting me at the airport in Lima with chocolates to welcome me to his country. The beauty shines through when you experience the local people living in the highlands with their colorful garb and smiling faces, the pisco sours, interesting food combinations, the outdoor markets, the beautiful mountain ranges and valleys, artisanal wine making tours, the train ride to Machu Picchu, and the drastic change of terrain in the sand dunes of Ica. Although Peru is not a rich country economically, the people I met were rich in their souls. They had a true smile that radiated from the inside out and seemed to be happy and untainted with desires for more than what they already had. I admire this especially since society is so often preoccupied with attaining more. More times than not, the more we obtain the less we have. A trip like this helps bring the important things in life back into focus. 

Tags: 2008, Add new tag, Peru, south america