Adventures in Nicaragua, Peru and the United States: A New Adventure

Back in March I promised myself that I would not start looking for a job until we returned to the USA and got settled in. Well, to make a long story short I did not keep that promise and now I am heading home three weeks earlier than planned in order to do some job interviews. This all happened very quickly and I still have a million things to do before I leave tomorrow. I feel like someone pulled a rug out from under me; actually, it feels more like I just stepped on a rake.

I have not had much time to say goodbye to Arequipa and all the people we have met, and that has been difficult. I am going to miss waking up in the shadow of 18,000 foot volcanoes and then walking to the neighborhood bakery while listening to a flock of wild parrots. I am going to miss our neighborhood, with its cobble stone streets and old granite buildings squeezed between snazzy new apartment buildings. I am going to miss the perpetually sunny skies. I am going to miss all of the friends we made during our 10 months in Peru. I am going to miss the lady who sells newspapers, they guy at the corner store, the illegal DVD salesman, and all of the wonderful people we have crossed paths with. Mostly, I am going to miss my family and though we will only be part for 3 weeks, I know it is going to be a lonely time for me.

Though there are many things I am going to miss, I am very excited about what comes next (whatever that may be). In the meantime, Emma, Hannah, and Aileen are going to have some quality girl time together and I have some really exciting job opportunities. Also, I get see our friends and family in the Bay Area three weeks earlier than expected.

I have many more things to say but now is not the time to ruminate on our two years away from the USA...that will come later. Instead, here are some photos

Jeff