My first days in Cusco were a lot like my first days at Cornell. My ten-minute walk to the microfinance bank I am working at took me forty minutes. I must have walked past my office at least three times. I was introduced to nearly 35 people at work. I think I can remember three of their names. The person living down the hall from me played a horrendous compilation of music: favorites included Justin Bieber, Will Smith and – when he was feeling wild – Lady Gaga.
Fortunately, the strongest similarity between my short time in Cusco and initiation to college is that everyone wants to be friends. Perhaps this is because in both situations, the novelty makes us feel uncomfortable and thus extra outgoing.
I met Lauren and Kim my second day here. After sharing good conversation and a classy 12-sol bottle of wine one night and a hearty breakfast the following morning, they offered me their floor in the San Blas neighborhood. It was a tough decision, but I realized the company of two pretty girls was better than falling asleep to Now, Volume 15. Over the next few days, I met Adam and Cynthia, who also offered me a place to live in the professional Magisterio neighborhood. I felt like the cool kid at school; everyone wanted to be my friend. We exchanged numbers on our inefficient cell phones and instantly sealed the friendships.
The lesson I have taken from this similarity is that if I am ever desperate for friends, all I need to do is book a ticket to South America and look helpless. Unfortunately I can’t start college again, but Cusco is always willing to accept another gringo. Within one week, I will have moved three times (I decided to move to the less touristy area of Magisterio), made six friends, and realized that there is no better way to bond with strangers than through sharing a similar life-changing experience in South America.
Jonah Brill is currently living in Cusco, Peru as a volunteer Field Researcher for Arariwa microfinance bank.
For more on the challenges of just starting out, check out “Off to Chile: A New Beginning“; “Thoughts for the Outbound Voyager“; “Having Trouble Adjusting? Remember What You Love“; “Taking Your Time“; and “Amigos.”
Latest posts by jonahbrill
- Hasta Luego - August 20th, 2010
- The Things I Have Learned - August 13th, 2010
- Day in the Life: Hiking The Colca Canyon - August 6th, 2010
- Day in the Life: Fuegos Artificiales - July 30th, 2010
- Being Inspired - July 23rd, 2010
- Los Precios - July 16th, 2010
- I'll Take a Little Potato with My Dirt - July 9th, 2010
- ¿Dónde Está El Baño? - July 2nd, 2010
- Day in the Life: Summertime and the Living is Easy - June 25th, 2010
- Snapshot: Cow Heart and Confusing Conversation in Cusco - June 18th, 2010
Keep it coming, bossman. You know we all want to hear about this experience on a consistent basis.
Much love.
Nice that Jonah has lea with a sensory impression based on music. Food would be the next – and then you’ll be all set.
An environment of friend seekers lead to immediate hospitality from two pretty ladies..my brother brilly, im far from shocked.