Machu Picchu
"There will be sunshine after rain ..."
Double rainbow!
Cuzco
Lima
It had been a while since I was so mesmerized by a country. Peru was beyond this world: the food (oh my God!!!!), the people, the scenery, the colors: it is all bundled together to form one perfect vision, one perfect trip.
It had been a while since I was so mesmerized by a country. Peru was beyond this world: the food (oh my God!!!!), the people, the scenery, the colors: it is all bundled together to form one perfect vision, one perfect trip.
Okay, let me be honest, it was a HELLA HARD trip. Why? The boys were at their most restless and playful state. In short, they behaved like cavemen. Literally. The combination of them two is pure energy release and Santi in particular is a handful! Santi is just at the point where he seeks freedom: no rules, no boundaries, no fear, bundled with frustration-driven tantrums, and you have one explosive kid!! He is two, but feels like he's five, just like his brother. The things that worried us about the trip, like how they would cope on a 4 hour train trip, proved to be meaningless. What we hadn't consider, or better yet, what we hoped we would be able to manage, were organized visits to places. For example, while the guide tried to explain about the condor-looking shape in Machu Picchu (or Machu Picchu Picchu, like Santi says), Santi was literally trying to fly like a condor off the terraces!!! In parallel, Mati was playing imaginary soccer and we were scared he would also fly off the terraces. It didn't help that Nico and I put more pressure on ourselves because we stayed at nice hotels and rode on nice trains, where the median age group must have been about 70!!! As soon as they boarded and realized the boys were there to stay, they had the dreaded, "Please don't let them sit next to me" look!!!
The best part of the trip was when we were able to explore on our own, set our own limits and give the boys the ability to release their energy. They both managed perfectly a three-hour roundtrip hike up from Machu Picchu to the Sun Gate; seriously, they became instant celebrities, as everyone praised their efforts, particularly Mateo's, who did it all by himself.
I know they won't remember this trip but ultimately I feel we are giving them two important gifts: the bonding of the family and a love, respect and tolerance for other cultures and places. As I look back, putting aside the stress we felt on MANY occasions, I can only feel proud of my boys: they certainly do put up with a lot and despite it all they greet each day with a smile. Regardless of their limitless energy and disregard for guided tours and historical knowledge, they gave ME the gift of memorable memories, which will always be captured in my heart ... and lens.
1 comment:
the photos, the words... the magic of moments captured to last a lifetime. you are an amazing mama... and you have two incredible boys... even at their most energetic!!!
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