Month: July 2018

I live 4 blocks from the Pacific Ocean. The view is high up on a series of cliffs overlooking the beautiful ragged coast line. In my first few days in Lima, I would even go out of my way to walk along the incredible view.

Then, Friday after school, my immersion group took a trip to a nearby town, just a few minutes drive from my own town. The drive along the coast was stunning. Then, the driver pulled over to the side, and when we got out, I discovered one of the most amazing views I have ever seen. From the coast, a pathway had been carved into cliffs, with a beautiful rock bridge connecting one rock formation to another. As we crossed over it, getting closer to the water, giant waves crashed over its edges and hit the ground just feet from where we were standing.

The rocks have been named, “El Salto del Friaje,” roughly translated it means  “Jump of the Priest.” Legend has it that two forbidden lovers were separated here, the girl and their baby were sent away in a boat, and her boyfriend jumped after her. None of the three were ever seen again. One can easily picture such a dramatic event taking place here; the scenery is so spectacular and stirring. Even looking back at the pictures, I am truly in awe of such a magnificent surprise location. I can’t wait to see what else Lima has in store for me.

Roughly 30 minutes from now, I’ll be landing in Lima, Peru. I don’t know what to expect from the next five months of my life, or even the next few hours after I land. These past few weeks, my emotions have ranged anywhere from overwhelming excitement to sheer terror. There’s been some doubts, mainly about my language skills, about being separated from my family, and about my ability to adjust to Peruvian culture. But every time I get scared, and I think maybe this wasn’t the choice for me, I remind myself of the risk I took in coming to Holy Cross. Though it was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, the challenges I’ve faced at my school have taught me so much about myself, about others, and about life. I know the value in taking this kind of risk, and because of that, I’m ready to face whatever comes my way in Peru.