the sun does rise in cusco

I still remember the first moment I landed in Cusco, Peru. I was heartbroken, because I knew so deep in my intuition that my almost three year relationship was over. I landed and my heart broke. I landed and my heart bloomed. I landed and after many days of bedridden sickness, I got up one morning, opened my blinds, and saw the full moon rising over the mountains of Cusco, and knew that I was going to be okay.

Cusco, Peru sits at 3,399m elevation in the Peruvian Andes, once the home of the Inca Empire, now home to locals, tourists, and adventurers from all around the world. When I arrived, the sun was shining as I met my Didi driver outside of the airport and travelled to my Airbnb. I was so excited to be in Peru. A place I had dreamed of visiting for so long, and was grateful to have arrived safely after the two flight journey from Medellin to Lima, and then Lima to Cusco.

When I wasn’t working, I would layer up in my handmade woollen items from Otavalo and head out in the crisp Cusco air for a walk down to Plaza de Armas or to my favourite pizza place for a margarita pizza and fresh lemonade. I ate so many potatoes, drank smoothies, indulged in beans, rice, and sweet plantains, and let the mountain sunshine warm my being, both inside and out. It was the first time I could remember feeling truly at peace, content, and happy in a long time, and I let the feelings take me fully.

I came back to myself in Cusco, and from the day I left, I’ve been aching to get back. To walk the big cobblestone streets again. Run my hands along the sturdy and strong stone walls. Speak mangled Spanish to women at the open air markets. Watch the moon come up over the mountains.

The sun does rise in Cusco. Over, and over, and over again.

I will come home to myself. Over, and over, and over again.

All for now,

All my love,

Onward.

-m

(Written 02/24/2024)