Just got back from Huacachina today. Wow, what a trip! :) I
had so much fun. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in four years.
The volunteers and I left early Saturday morning for
Paracas. When we got there, we took a boat to see the sea lions, birds, and
penguins! Man, the boat ride was so much fun even though all the Peruvians on
the boat kept laughing at the volunteers and I. I got so wet from sitting on
the side of the boat. Man, the water burns! When it got into my eyes, I could
barely open them. I was wearing my glasses that day too so everything was
blurry and it burned! The boat was going super fast and it was great!
When we got to the little islands, we were able to see cute
little baby sea lions and cute penguins too! I was way too paranoid about the
crazy birds pooping on me so I didn’t think they were that cute. One of the
volunteers got pooped on (LOL!). I could not help but crack out laughing.
Afterwards we ate at this cool Peruvian place. I got a
chaufa (hope I spelled that right) which is a Peruvian-Chinese dish. I got mine
with seafood and boy oh boy, it was delish. When everyone finished their meals,
we started to head toward Huacachina. Huacachina turned out to be a very small
and intimate place. I absolutely loved it. There was a nice little lake in the
middle of Huacachina. The volunteers and I had some drinks and settled into our
hostel. It was a very nice hostel with a great view of the town and lake.
The night, the other volunteers decided to some late night
clubbing or go to a bar. I decided to stay back and listen to music (I got the
top bunk bed and was quite excited about it!). I showered, then listened to
music, and somehow fell asleep.
I was the first person to wake up bright-eyed and
bushy-tailed (haha, I like that because it really does describe me in the
morning) the next morning. I laid in bed for a while listening to Michael Jackson’s duet with
Akon (“Hold My Hand”). That song is amazing. Then, I got so restless so I took
my ipod into the bathroom and sang and danced while brushing my teeth. I tried
my best to be quiet though :).
When the other volunteers woke up, we had breakfast and got
ready to go sand boarding and dune buggy-ing. The dune buggy came to pick us up
and we dune buggied our way through the streets and up and down the sand
mountains (at a very fast speed). I was laughing the whole way because I’m
really ticklish and it was a bumpy ride. It was so much fun. Sand boarding was
fun too! Similar to snowboarding but much more difficult and less smooth (and
the sand was freakishly hot!). I fell a lot and ate a bunch of sand. It was so
worth it though! :)
After sand boarding, everyone packed up their belongings and
we headed to Ica to visit the wineries. Holy moly, I have not drank that much
alcohol since my 21st birthday (I didn’t drink much for my 21st actually), but
this time, with the wine tasting, I drank more than I ever have (which is still
considered a little for most people my age). I don’t like alcohol. Eh, not my
thing.
Then it was time to head home! At home, Lidia planned a surprise
party for Abu. All the guests were to ask Abu any question they wanted and Abu
had to answer them honestly. I did not know that everyone would also be asking
me questions as well. My favorite question was about what my expectations are in
an ideal man that I would consider to be my husband. Everyone teased me and
said that all my expectations seem to describe Juan (Lidia’s son who does a lot
of volunteering with the volunteers and I). I felt a little embarrassed because
everyone has been referring to Juan about a lot of things and he’s been getting
a little close, I have to say.
Now, here I am all ready for bed and just thinking about
things. Usually, I try to present myself to people in the most neutral way
possible. I never make it appear that I favor one certain thing over another
(important things, that is). I think I try to be neutral with most people
because I think it helps people open up to me. I am less judgmental this way, I
think. I am more accepting and more loving when I remain neutral. It increases
my empathy and helps me to see different perspectives to different ways of
life.
I do have to mention this though. I believe in Jesus. I hope
no one will close themselves off from me because I am saying this. I just want
to make that clear. After all, he has been my guide through everything. I cannot
thank him enough for providing me with the experiences that have shaped who I am
today. Whenever I pray, I always ask him to make me his symbol of love and, by
the looks of it, he’s really doing something with me. I feel like I have a
purpose and I really hope I will meet someone who also has a purpose as well; someone
who will also be a symbol of love; someone whose heart and personality stands out
from crowd; someone who won’t let me down or disappoint me; someone who is
truly special and shares similar values as me; just someone who knows how to
love.
I’m thankful that I know some people who do meet my general
expectations of what I want in a man and who care about me a lot, but in all
honesty, I have not met a man who has surpass my expectations. No, indeed.
There’s always something that happens and I feel disappointed. I’ll save myself
the trouble and get away from disappointments this time.
I’m hoping that some risks I intend to take soon will lead
me to someone who will surpass my expectations and make my risks seem
worthwhile.
Ciao amigos! Buenas noches!
