The Catcher

It was hot and my skin continued to soak in the sun as my friends and I were waiting for a cab outside of Lima international airport. We cannot believe that we saw Machu Picchu and visited Cuzco city—this was all very surreal to us. The cab driver finally showed up and we get in the car with our entire luggage, this whole time I was carrying my passport in my hand and did not realize it. The car ride back to my friend’s apartment was not very long but long enough to get comfortable and put my items between my legs. When we arrived to our destination my friends and I were very excited because we were supposed to go to the beach afterwards—I got my luggage and rushed up the stairs to the apartment. We were unpacking our bags when I realized something extremely important, I had left my passport in the cab and worst of all I did not know the taxi company and had no idea on how to get my passport back. I only had four more days in beautiful Peru, the last thing I wanted to worry about was my passport, and so that was what I did. It was Saturday afternoon and I was ready to take on a new adventure with my friends, we packed our things and went on a mini road trip. The day was very beautiful and the people cheerful as always, but of course I could not help but feel worry about my passport. My friend turned on the radio and we all started singing from the top our lungs, other drivers were looking at us as if we were insane, and honestly, I cannot promise you that we were not. The drive to the beach was amazing, Peru is very mountainous and they are all so beautiful and breathtaking that every time I saw one I could not help but to be amazed. Yes, I lost a valuable document that was supposed to get me home but I already felt at home. We arrived to the beach, my friend’s family was there, and ready to enjoy a beautiful day, we took a walk on the beach and shared our favorite memories of our trip so far until sunset. Watching the skies, turn orange, then red, and then pink was fascinating as the birds were all flying together in synchronization, like a beautiful choreographed dance. I was lucky to experience that journey and in that instant, I felt lucky. I lost my passport and I was not sure exactly how I was supposed to get back home. I realized that day that the world is my home and losing my passport did not mean that an adventure was ending, but that another one was beginning.