It’s hard to believe that a year has passed, but it’s true: it’s time to say goodbye.
We’re both in denial that it’s time to leave Cusco. When we said goodbye to our students in our final classes, it was difficult to accept that this really is the end. Our last sets of high knees and push-ups, our last games of sirenas y tiburones and mundial, our last times doing the end of class cheer. As we hugged the girls goodbye and tried not to get too teary-eyed, we assured them that they would continue playing and having fun with the new project managers, which is true! It’s just strange to think about future Chicas Dinámicas classes and accept the fact that we won’t be a part of them.
On our first hike in Peru from Chinchero to Urquillos
Besides saying goodbye to the girls, their families, and the school administrators, we’ve also said goodbye to a lot of other things. Goodbye to our lovely apartment, with our comfy couch and beloved space heater. Goodbye to our favorite breakfast place Punchay, with its cute ceramic mugs. Goodbye to our favorite creperie La Bo’M, where we’ve spent so many hours doing work on our laptops. Goodbye to the steep steps up to our apartment, and Ricky the jewelry pirate who is always sitting on them. Goodbye to the crazy strong Peruvian sun and the gorgeous mountains. Goodbye to the Plaza de Armas with its many flags and tourists. Goodbye tamales lady, churros stand, street dogs, busy markets, bus rides, and surprise parades.
Celebrating Corpus Christi in our traditional chullo hats
We both have so much to be thankful for that we can’t possibly express all our gratitude, but we’ll try. Thank you GirlSportWorks and our donors for giving us this opportunity of a lifetime. It’s been wonderful to work with the GSW family, and we’ve learned so much from this experience. A massive thank you to Carrie and Sarah for their constant guidance and support, and to all previous Project Managers who laid the foundations for this work.
Visiting the lovely Peruvian city of Arequipa
Thank you to the many people in Cusco who have opened their hearts to us and made us feel at home here. From the students, families, and administrators we had the pleasure to work with, to the many friends we’ve made here who come from all over the world but have a shared love of Cusco. This year wouldn’t have been the same without you. We’ll take many fond memories of game nights and trivia competitions home with us.
Sandboarding in Huacachina, Peru
Thank you to our families and loved ones back home who supported us when we said we wanted to move to Peru for a year. It’s hard to be away from the people we love for so long, but the frequent phone calls, photo sharing, and even visits (!) made the distance more bearable. We’re excited to be back in the same country as you soon!
And finally, thank you to Cusco for everything this wonderful city and its people have given us. Even though we’re leaving, we’ll always carry a piece of Cusco with us in our hearts, and we’re sure we won’t be able to stay away for long! We can’t wait to return to Cusco one day and relive our glory days as GSW project managers.
Our last walk down the never-ending steps from Virgen del Rosario
For the last time, Profes Adrianna y Daniela signing off. Thanks for tuning in over the past year! As they say in Quechua: tupananchiskama (“till we meet again”).
