I’m sitting at the Lima airport currently reflecting on what an amazing adventure the last four weeks have been.

Yesterday Kristy and I flew in to Lima and rode to our hostel in the super nice district of Barranco. It’s the Lima equivalent to Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant and it is beautiful. Kristy was unfortunately feeling ill again so I took myself for a tour around the neighbourhood. I ate at a bakery, got some delicious plum ice cream, and then marvelled at the beautiful murals that seem to adorn every wall in the district. It was lovely!

That night, Kristy and I tried to get into Maido, a Japanese fusion restaurant that is currently ranked number 7 in the world. Unfortunately we couldn’t get in so we ate elsewhere, but it was fun to try! Kristy was still feeling ill (we think it’s the change in altitude again)? So she went to sleep and I had a fun night making friends at the hostel for one last night in Lima.

Peru had been amazing. It has pushed my limits physically, mentally and emotionally; forced me to learn and adore the Spanish language (I went from zero to basic comprehension and simple words and phrases), and created a burning desire for me to return to South America as soon as possible. I’ve found a great travel companion and deeper friendship development from my good friend Kristy, met amazing people with incredible stories (good and bad), and realized that travelling is indeed one of my true passions and what I work hard to save my money for.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to take this trip. It has helped me figure out more who I am, what I enjoy, and where I want to be. I’m hoping to keep blogging my local adventures in addition to my future travels as writing has always been something I have really enjoyed. You can follow me but I’m not 1000% sure where I am going quite yet!

And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.

Pico Lyer