A New Perspective

I’m at a coffee shop with Andrew in Santa Cruz. Everyone else has already headed to the orphanage, but since my darling suitcase got lost somewhere in the land of Peru, I had to stay so I can pick it up at the airport today since I have to be there when it goes through customs. And Andrew stayed as well because as much as I’d love to navigate the streets of Santa Cruz by myself, I really wouldn’t love that at all.

We are taking an all night bus tonight to Trinidad, and then getting picked up by a little five-passenger plane tomorrow (how exciting is that?!) that will take us to Rurrenabaque where we will get picked up once more and taken to the orphanage (oh my goodness yay!).

I am so excited to see all those beautiful kids. I can’t even explain it. I have been missing them from the moment I left Familia Feliz four months ago.

It has been a really great couple of days. We have mainly just hung out in town and at the hotel where we are staying. Saturday morning we caught a bus to church, which ended up being a whole lot bigger than I expected! It was a large building and it was packed. During the service, someone up front called us all out as the volunteers from Familia Feliz, so we stood up and everyone waved at us with giant smiles. Precious.

After the service we headed back to the hotel and had lunch on the roof. So fun. We ate a scrumptious meal of PB&J’s, popcorn, and a giant pineapple we bought the day before that a lady was selling on the street.

Then we took naps in enos. And, more importantly, I got to Facetime Ben, Sarah, and Miranda who were hanging in Asheville and then Mom, Dad, and Jace on their way home from Spartanburg! It was so very exciting to see all those wonderful, familiar faces.

Saturday night we ate out. And we walked downtown and looked at millions of puppies and birds and rabbits being sold in stores (Okay, probably not millions. But a lot. Also they were so cute.).

And then this morning I took my last hot shower. Should I repeat that? This morning I took my last hot shower. Not gonna lie. I’m a little worried about the ice cold shower thing. That’s going to build a whole lot of character.

And then everyone left but Andrew and I, so we went to the airport, got my bag, and now we are at this adorable little coffee shop writing.

Oh, just got informed there’s no electricity or water at the orphanage right now. Looks like I won’t be getting a cold shower after all. Or a shower. Suhweet.

I am truly so thankful to be here. I love the streets and the language and the cultural differences and similarities and the people I am meeting. I love catching taxis and buses and eating meals on the rooftop. I love realizing how many people are in this world and how small I am. I'm excited for a new perspective.