The Second Half (Zorritos, Peru)

So here I am in this fishing town in the north of Peru, called Zorritos. I finally decided to leave the vicious trap of Loki Hostel in Mancora, where they suck you in with too much fun and too much alcohol.  Zorritos has hardly any other tourists, other gringos, here. Hence, more expensive accomodations, no trendy shops to browse through, no gringo restaurants, just real life of the locals. Slow internet and no English! Its a big change from Mancora. My Peruvian friend said that after Mancora, there will not be another place in Peru like it, it´s all downhill from there. I hope not.

After much waiting time to try and connect with United Airlines I have finally gotten through, and instead of extending my flight to another date, I have just cancelled it and received a credit. I can now choose when and from where I will fly home! Freedom!!

I decided a long time ago, back in Colombia, that I was not going to rush through my trip like other backpackers do that are on a strict schedule. Hence, if I want to stay two or three weeks in one place to get to know it a little better, to get to know some locals, to develop some stronger relationships, then so be it. Its so much more relaxed this way. 

So on this day, I was supposed to be in Sao Paulo, Brazil ready to board my flight back to Calgary, Canada, or ´home´.  It has now been 7 months and it only leads me to reflect on what I have accomplished thus far. Surely, there´s the tangible things such as travelled through 5 countries, learned to speak (modestly) spanish, learned to meditate, seen some really cool sights and done some really awesome activities.  But for anyone that knows me, these are minor things. For me, its all about the growth, the knowledge... the journey.

I have met some really incredible people along my journey, and they never cease to surprise and inspire me. Just recently I have met an 18 year old Scottish fellow named Sebastian. He started travelling after his high school graduation at the age of 17 and has been going now for 8 months, hitch hiking and working his way through South America. He has been gaining insights into life, growing into a mature adult, and defining who he is as a human being. A coming of age story at its best.   As well, I can honestly say I have met some friends that I hope will be friends for a very long time, despite the distance. I have just recently seperated from Leticia, who I first met back in Colombia and have now been in 3 countries with. She is a like a best friend that I´ve had for 15 years, we connect, we argue, we party, we laugh, we cry, we share our lives together. And there are many more just like Leticia that I´ve met, some for 5 days, some for 3 weeks or more.

As we all know, this trip originally was for me to become an independent single person, at the end of a 12 year relationship. Well, this is still ongoing for me, but I must say I have come a long way. I remember being back in Nicaragua weeping in my bed, weeping on the beach, weeping in the bus, wondering what has happened to my life.  In these past 7 months, I have discovered who I am once again. I am able to be alone and comfortable in my own skin once again. Not to mention, I have learned to date at the age of 33, meeting a few guys along the way.  However, not all of my past life has been resolved, has been healed, but I wonder if the pain will ever disolve 100%.  Nonetheless I am stronger and wiser.

I must admit, I am scared to return to what was once my life in Calgary, because my life there is not my life now. I sometimes tell Leticia about my career and my personality back in Calgary and she cannot fathom that person, that hardworking, over dedicated, detailed, agenda keeping, public-speaking personality. It is as though I have been put on pause over there, a time warp. I have experienced it before, the reverse culture shock, and I often warn first time, long term, travellers about it. It is something I don´t want to go through again and perhaps I won´t.  So as for now, I continue to remain here, in this life. 

Back in Vilcabamba (man, do I love Vilcabamba), I had my astrological reading done and the man (Hunter) told me that there is a period from May 22, 2011 - March 5, 2012 in which I will go through a hardship transistion in my life. I was in shock! May 22nd is basically when I ended my relationship.  And it brings me to now. So I have appropriatley called this blog, the second half. I have been granted another extension on my leave of absence from work, I have been blessed to have some more money and time to keep travelling. I will continue on this journey... this journey of self discovery, open to whatever comes my way. 

The more I learn, the less I know!