Three weeks have passed since Nic and I put the last two STRIVErs through international security at the Lima airport and sat down at a coffee shop to wait a few more hours for our own flights out of Perú. That Saturday – which now seems like a strangely long time ago – I parted ways not only with the country which I had called home for most of the summer (and many summers before it), but with my friends, the routine, and security that came with STRIVE. For the past few years, while working with STRIVE, I’ve also seen that finality – my departure from South America – as a kind of transition back into “real life” (or college, as it was for me). I loved my time in Perú and knew it was something special, but I also knew that I had a more “normal” life in Boston to return to.
The departure of STRIVErs Henry and Rob marked the official end of STRIVE 2013
But that was different this year. I didn’t (and still don’t) know what the future holds. As I left Nic in the Lima airport three weeks ago, I wasn’t beginning my normal long journey home to New England; I was hopping across the border to the north to another mountainous South American city.
Arriving in Quito, Ecuador brought on the warm comfort of seeing that an old friend is doing well. Having spent part of a year living here, just after graduating from high school, Quito had – like a first girlfriend – established a special place in my heart. Quito introduced me to all things South American – the language, the food, the people, the dress. I began to love her for her quirks. During my time here, I grew more comfortable in my new surroundings, venturing deeper into the city, into the country, into the mountains. And so, coming back here was a wonderful reunion. Quito has grown, matured, and developed, but still holds that same charm that enchanted me so long ago.
The view of the sprawling metropolis of Quito, Ecuador. Cotopaxi (the giant strato-volcano) looms over the city in the background.
But as I got off that plane into the surprisingly hot Quito afternoon, I still didn’t really know what I was doing there. I had some old friends to see, a few job offers that I wanted to check out, and a vague plan of working my way south across the continent, but that was about it. I knew I wanted to start running more seriously; I knew I wanted to settle down for a bit. So, I started there.
I explored a few options and fairly quickly found a fantastic work and living arrangement. In my first meeting with Marco, I found myself overwhelmed by the similarities we kept running across – he too was a runner, had a deep passion for South American people and culture, and was running a business and trying to help and better the community. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was the perfect place for me. Community Hostel is a hot-spot for backpackers, while also being a center for the community around it. Being a hostel with partnerships with several local charities, the work I do here satisfies my love of human interaction – as I get to meet tons of amazing people from all over the world – while still feeling like I am contributing and giving back through our charitable work. My own responsibilities here range from web design to cooking to simply interacting with travelers, answering questions about the city, or just sharing stories. I’m truly happy with what I’m doing.
Luckily, my work is part time, which leaves ample time to work for STRIVE and to continue running. And I have been running. With a set work schedule, no huge travel commitments, and 17 fewer people to take care of, I have finally been able to get into a rhythm of training. It’s amazing how quickly that routine can come back – rising every morning with 20km and another 10km in the afternoon. It’s almost as if I never left it.
Just another day of life in the Andes
So, now I’ve got a routine. I’m settled in (for the time being). But I can still only see the tiniest bit of the future in front of me. My path seems to branch off in a million directions, all of them leading to amazing, unique destinations and I have no idea which one I’ll choose (or maybe, which one will choose me).
For now, I’m happy and I love my life. But I know I can’t – I won’t – stay in this particular routine forever. Soon enough, I’ll move on; though it won’t be without the constant bittersweet feeling of leaving someone behind. Still, I know that wherever I find myself – on the road or settled down – I’ll be living with the joy of loving where I am and loving what I do.
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