2020 My Wild & Unexpected Year of Self-Growth

Wow, 2020 was a year none of us saw coming….

The pandemic swept across the globe like a wildfire, shutting down borders, changing the way we live, and sadly claiming the lives of innocent victims. While 2020 could be summed up as the ultimate “dumpster of a year,” I feel truly blessed by every twist and turn that unfolded before my eyes. The path of my journey leading me exactly where I was meant to be. I spent over 75% of the year in lockdown in Peru, and it changed me in ways that I have a hard time putting into words. This chapter of my story allowed me to immerse deeper and fuse with my surroundings, making my journey so much more transformative.

Here’s a recap of my year in travel for 2020.

I rang in the New Year of 2020 in Iquique, Chile.

I had crossed the border from Peru to pick up a replacement cellphone. With Peru’s crazy shipping system, (surprise, there isn’t really one), my insurance company would only send it to Chile. So I went on my way to the beachside city of Iquique to just chill out and relax. Of course, there were delays, so I ended up spending just over a month exploring the north of Chile.

Since my timetable was extended, I took a side trip to San Pedro de Atacama, where I opted to travel independently around the region. San Pedro de Atacama is a cute little village and the gateway to nearby isolated and stunning parks. One of the most popular things to do here is to catch a star-gazing tour. In fact, there are multiple massive telescopes scattered around the arid Atacama Desert; however, January is one of the cloudiest months, so I missed this highlight, but it’s on the list to get back!

After my phone finally made it to Chile, I head backed to Peru for a house sit.

Falling in love with Peru’s Sacred Valley

My first house sitting gig in Peru took me to Urubamba, the heart and soul of Peru’s Sacred Valley. Here, I watched over two cats for a little over a month. It was the middle of the rainy season, but I was still able to hike to some “off the beaten path” locations, like Ñaupa Iglesia and the magical Saywa mountain. I was really loving the area, and with a fresh 90 days on my Peruvian visa, I kind of wanted to stay longer….

So, as my house sit was winding down, I noticed another house sit for a few weeks in the nearby village of Pisac. I would head to Cusco for a few days before house sitting for two pups and a cat.

Psst… House sitting is awesome and seriously helps me cut down on expenses, travel deeper, and lets me watch over tons of awesome animals who become like family. If you’re interested to know more about it, I’ve dedicated a whole section on my website to helpful resources. Find it here.

The House Sit That Changed it All

Warnings of the Coronavirus started to finally reach Peru. It was the beginning of March, and this house sit would end in a few short weeks. I was making arrangements and planning to cross the border for Bolivia, but changes were happening, and it was happening so fast.

My friend in Ecuador messaged me to tell me their borders were closing. Within 24 hours of Ecuador’s closures, Peru followed suit and completely locked down. No one could enter or exit the country. The homeowner, whose home I was watching, was completely locked out of the country.

I decided to “ride it out.” Besides, no one knew how long this lockdown would last. I had the pups and a cat, and I was using this time to write and reflect. Days turned to weeks and Peru became one of the most restricted countries in the world.

Sundays were complete lockdown. No one could leave the homes at all. A daily curfew was enforced. For a few week’s time, women were only allowed out three days of the week and men on the alternative three days. The days seemed bleak. I cried quite a bit. Those first few months were tough because there seemed to be no end in sight. I meditated a lot, wrote a ton, and spent the first three months in complete isolation.

I was so grateful for the dogs because I was able to legally walk them. We walked out of town twice a day, and I appreciated our walks along the old Inca water canal. The boys gave me comfort, and they were so silly and had such big personalities! Watching them eased my troubles, and walking next to them, I was able to cherish this beautiful place I was “stuck” in. These walks were medicine and helped to clear my mind. It was exactly what I needed.

Quarantine continued. Some days, I was so high, and other days, I was down. I was riding that corona-coaster at full speed, dipping low, flying high, screaming at the top of my lungs, wondering what would come next.

June came and the quarantine was still in full swing, I moved to Cusco

This second part of my quarantine was different. After spending the first three months in isolation here in Cusco, I was surrounded by incredible people, especially strong and independent women. We were all stuck, and we all found each other in this mess. It was comforting to have a super support system in these uncertain times. Each of us was so different, had contrasting stories, but we were destined to support each other during these shaky times.

Travel between the Sacred Valley and Cusco was slowly opening up, so we were able to do one of the best activities socially distancing activities possible: hike. We hiked ALL over and saw some incredible sites, places that most tourists don’t even know about. The powerful Andes Mountains were healing, each step rejuvenating my soul. We climbed unforeseen heights together, both literally and figuratively.

It was insane to see the streets of Cusco so empty, without the hoards of tourists. There were no men out selling tours, no women shouting for massages. Cusco had returned to its original state; it had regained its magic. There was no one there to exploit the city or the culture, its streets feeling authentic in their bareness.

For the next few months…

I lived between Urubamba in the Sacred Valley and the imperial city of Cusco. I also spent quite a bit of time in my tent, hiking in the Andes and connecting with nature, all while appreciating the diverse landscapes of Peru.

The mountains were the Gods of the Indigenous people of this region, and I was seeing their beauty and significance with clear eyes. Being in the mountains visiting the sacred Inca sites felt almost more like a homecoming, a divine intervention for a home I didn’t know I had lost.

I could notice a notable shift in myself. When I wasn’t in the mountains, I was dreaming of my next excursion. In a few short weeks, I had completed the epic 6 day Ausangate trek, the stunning Ancascocha trek, and spent more time in the Lares Valley.

In October, there were whispers that the borders would open

and us lost souls who were left behind would be able to leave. For months I had wept, wondering when I would be able to leave. Now, my heart was dreading the thought of leaving my life I had built in Peru, for the rollercoaster I had ridden the last almost 10 months had changed me. Before, I had screamed in fear, and now those screams were different; they were joyous and full of laughter. I was dreading the thought of leaving the mountains, my new home, the powerful women I had met along the way, but I knew it was time.

In November, the borders opened

It felt so surreal. One by one, the people who were my family were leaving. This story was changing whether we liked it or not. I booked my ticket for November 13th, where I would fly home to reunite with my sister ,and ultimately, my family. I began my farewells to the women who changed me, the boys (dogs) who altered my path, and the mountains that touched my soul.

On the day it was finally time for my flight, I was a complete mess. I awoke early in the morning, watched the sunrise from Q’enqo, had breakfast from a mamita in the market, packed up my pieces, and left.

Seeing my sister at the airport resurfaced another set of emotions; a relief, a deep-rooted comfort. I was home, and now, it was time to reconnect with my family. I would take all the lessons that I had learned from the last 10 months and apply them to my foundation, my family, and my home.

2020 Reflections

Each day, I greet the mornings in the same way, with complete gratitude. My mind drifts daily back to Cusco and my time of lockdown in Peru. I can round out this year in one word: gratitude. I feel so thankful for my time in this magical country. The lessons I’ve learned and the self-discovery that happened during this time are invaluable.

Although I watched my bank account dwindle, I feel as if I am one of the richest persons in the world. My treasure box is overfilling with memories, each one carefully stashed in my treasure box. Everyday I open my heart and dig into my treasure box full of memories. How fortunate am I, to look back on this all, and feel so lucky and blessed? You see, life is how we perceive all that has happened to us. We get to pick our narrative when we read our life story, and choose our own adventure.

This year was like nothing any of us expected, but I continue to grow and reflect on all the lessons that came my way. I’m still processing so much this experience, and nature is continuing to help me. I still make it a point to get outside everyday and just BE. The Apus have shown me the secret healing powers of reconnecting with nature. As I continue to reflect on all that was 2020, I will continue to listen to Mother Earth and see the constant beauty in a world that can feel as if it’s crumbling.

This year seemed to be a constant reflection of my 36 years. Between the meditation, isolation, and time in nature, I wrote a ton of heartfelt pieces.

If you’re interested in more of my story, try these posts.

Am I Running from Something? | Quarantine in Peru: Day 160 | Becoming the Condor

So, What’s Next?

If you’re reading this, I’m already on my next adventure. I’ve kind of stopped planning what’s next, and just kind of started surrendering to the signs. You see, once you start to surrender, life just kind of unfolds, and the magic happens right before your eyes.

I am on a plane to Florida, where I’ll go back to work for a bit. With the virus still crippling travel, I’m going to save for my next adventure. The way most of the world has traveled has been detrimental to the local communities, cities, and their ways of life. While the travel industry is put on pause, we can also stop to pause and reflect on how our actions are affecting the global industry.

My long-term goal is to change the way people travel, by moving slow and with intention by appreciating the world and diversity of this globe with purpose. When we travel in this manner, it helps keeps the money in the community’s and funnels and supports the local people.

So, I will continue to write and work on my site. I’ve come out of this quarantine a better and more mindful person, and I know that the travel industry can become more sustainable and better, too. We all must change our routine ways if we want to make a lasting difference.

As the year comes to a close, I want to thank you for reading about my journey. It has truly been therapeutic to share my writing and speak my truth. Technically, the world couldn’t really travel this year, but I hope my words and photos transported you. Hopefully your bucket-list grew, or you found out about a place you had never heard. I hope some of my words inspired you, or maybe brought you comfort during this crazy year. In short, I just wanted to express my gratitude to you. Maybe you were written into my life story, or altered my journey, or just stumbled across me, but I appreciate you being here.

If you feel so inclined, I’d love to hear about your story in the chapter of year 2020.

Thanks for being here.

XX

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