Back to the "Slums"

Let me first explain where "slums" came about. When I was at Choate, I often referred to school as "slums" because living at school did not compare to the actual home where I came from. Since then, it has been a running joke between some of my friends. "slums" means school in this case. Now, I often don't think of school as "slums" anymore but I still refer to it that way.

Anyways, I'm back to the bay and school is about to start in a couple of days. I'm honestly not quite sure whether to be happy or sad about this. Sad that my journey to Peru is over and happy that it happened? Or happy that I'm back to reality but sad that its over at the same time. I'm confused about this issue. At times, reality seem somewhat daunting to me, especially last year but not quite so much lately. Now, I'm just taking each day at a time and hoping that something good comes out of it.

I don't want this to sound too much like a cliche but the trip to Peru really taught me about the world and how much I should appreciate the life that is given to me. Peru seems like a different world from the history to its culture. Just driving from place to place in Peru, I realized that there are a lot more underprivileged people living there. I guess in this guess it is not necessarily a bad thing because the way of life works for the people. They're happy with what I would say as primitive living. Imagining life without computer, internet and TV or even electricity in many cases seem quite out there nowadays but there are actually many people who live like that in Peru. The interesting thing is that it doesn't quite bother them that those things don't exist in their world. Who knew people eat clay for minerals and nutrition? Nowadays you don't find children taking a clump of clay from art class and melting it to eat. Well, it seems to be part of a normal meal for those in Peru especially those that live outside of the side. Though life may be harsh and primitive, they still have the passion and faith to move on. Something that I should learn from, amidst the hustle and bustle of things.

Like I usually say, enough sappiness for now.

Its time to get organized because a new semester is about to start and I'm determined to keep the goodness in my life

Before I leave, I leave you with two pictures from the Islands of Uros.
1. Me jumping off the reed boat onto the island. I was slightly confused because I was landing on a mattress like foundation and I was expecting concrete or something. lol
2. On a reed boat! All built by hand by the people on the island.

More picture updates to come. Just got back today and have been pretty exhausted all day to do any editing and updating. It'll come soon!