After Christmas I was able to do the traveling I was supposed to have done this past summer (after Colombia).
I left Atlanta on December 27th for Quito and arrived around midnight. The next morning I headed to the old folks' home where I worked in 2010. And I managed to remember all the right buses (three in all) and arrived around 9am.
The hogar is not like a retirement community here in the States. It's pretty dilapidated and honestly a sad place, not to mention the fact that an old folks' home is an anomaly in Latin America. But everything seemed significantly more depressed, and many of the folks who were there in 2010 have since passed away, including Melida, with whom I spent most of my time. So I knew it would be difficult being there, but even so I was not prepared for what I saw. In short, it has become a borderline abusive situation for many of the residents. Having witnessed this, I was able to report what I saw to Extreme Response, the organization with which I worked 2 years ago, and for that I am grateful.
From Quito I went on to Cordoba, Argentina. (I spent a semester there in undergrad.). Having flown all night, I arrived around 6am and went on to the house; and after a little chat with Mirta, my host mom, I put myself to bed for the rest of the day. The week was spent re-familiarizing myself with the city, eating delicious Argentine food, and attempting to escape the blazing heat, as it was the middle of summer. New Years was wonderful, complete with an asado and multiple fireworks displays, and party-hopping 'til 6:30am with my host sister, Mica, and her boyfriend, Juli. I can hardly express how wonderful it is to have another family in my life with whom I am so comfortable. I truly believe it is a providential situation, down to the fact that there is a spot for me age-wise among the kids.
After the epic week in Cordoba, I was to head back to Quito; however, a week before I left, I learned that my Lima-Quito flight was pushed back 24 hours. Praise the Lord, I know someone in Lima from a mission trip I participated in during undergrad. So my sweet friend, Beto, picked me up from the airport and gave me the most wonderful tour of the city, complete with a trip to Lima's new giant Jesus statue (a gift from the Brazilian gov't), a scrumptious Peruvian lunch, and a tour of the colonial/historic center. Never mind the fact that I had not seen Beto in 6 years- his hospitality was a precious gift to me, and I am glad to call him my friend. It is one of those friendships built upon our common faith in Jesus.
Unfortunately, the following day did not go as planned (as if anything in Latin America ever does): the flight was overbooked, and I had arrived too late. I was infuriated and even dropped a few choice words, after which I felt awful and resigned myself to the situation, deciding to just roll with it. LAN got me a hotel downtown and a taxi to and from, and I spent the afternoon roaming the streets, touring a couple museums, drinking Inca Kola, and even taking myself to see "Tintin" (dubbed, of course). It was a quite enjoyable day/night.
Due to the travel changes, I was only able to be in Quito for a day and a half, so I decided to forgo visiting my host family and my friend, Carlie, due to lack of time and logistical issues. This was a bummer, but the day with Catharine, Whitney, and Michael was precious and refreshing. Even with the less-than-ideal happenings, it was a great trip; and I am once again homesick for Latin America.
If you're ever in Quito, make sure to look up los Johnson; they live across from Plaza de las Americas and have a swanky apartment.
