I have discovered that the culmination of every great experience is usually found in a heart-wrenching goodbye.
In those goodbyes, I relive every second of the amazing experience I have had and think about how much I am going to miss the people with whom I lived through the experiences.
As I sit here writing this, looking out at the hustle and bustle of people in front of a beautiful stone church in Cuzco, Peru, I can’t help but think about the last goodbye I shared with the other people in my Council on the International Educational Exchange program Monday, Nov. 24.
Getting dressed for the final dinner, I kept trying on different dresses and outfits, trying to find the perfect thing to wear, as it was the last time I would be seeing everyone.
I finally settled on some leggings and a sweater — quite an original outfit, I know.
When we arrived, the atmosphere was filled with happy conversation and good vibes. There were no signs of anyone saying goodbye anywhere.
We were all holding off, holding onto the last brief moments we had together without the sadness of goodbye intermingled among us.
The evening passed with champagne, a million pictures, lots of hugs and conversations among friends and host families.
The goodbye came after dinner, when people slowly started leaving, heading back to their respective homes for the final few days.
I gave lots of hugs and told everyone to stay in touch, but it still didn’t sink in that I wouldn’t be ?seeing any of them again for a while.
It didn’t sink in until just now.
I left for Peru the day after the dinner, so in the excitement and allure of a new adventure, I forgot to be sad.
Now, as I sit here writing this, the realization that everything is coming to an end has hit me.
Two weeks from now, I will be sitting at home in the United States, and it seems like my study abroad adventure just began.
However, once again, I shall try and stave off the looming sadness I know will soon engulf me.
My adventure in Peru has been nothing short of spectacular and deserves my full attention for a ?moment.
After a long bout of traveling from Chile to Peru, we arrived in Cuzco exhausted but ready to begin our plans for traveling to none other than the Incan site Machu Picchu.
Though complicated, we eventually got our travels worked out, tickets purchased and minds geared toward experiencing something everyone said was truly amazing.
Our journey to Aguas Calientes from Cuzco consisted of a seven-hour bus ride and a two-hour hike. When we finally reached our hostel, we were beyond exhausted but ready to see Machu Picchu.
At 4 a.m. the next morning, we woke up, grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to the bus station, where we were carted up the mountain to the Machu Picchu gate.
Upon entering through the gate, my eyes were greeted with a scene I never imagined could exist outside of movies.
Nestled among the high-rising mountains, the stone city of Machu Picchu sat regally as if nothing had changed since the Incans first built it in the 1400s.
I stood there, staring, soaking it all in.
After walking around and exploring the city, taking selfies with the llamas, hiking Huayna Picchu and sitting back down to take it all in one more time, I still couldn’t believe I actually saw what I saw.
Leaving the park that day, I looked over my shoulder at the mountains rising into the misty fog bank, the city resting as it always has, unaffected by my visit but affecting me thoroughly to my core.
In my heart I said goodbye to this amazing place, knowing I might never see it again, knowing that it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
That goodbye reminded me of the last dinner I had with my CIEE companions.
As I left, knowing I might never see them again, I said a special goodbye in my heart.
A goodbye that will forever hover around all the memories and experiences I had while studying abroad in Santiago, Chile.
Memories that will live in my heart forever.
makholla@indiana.edu
