You probably don't remember me but for the previous handful of months we have shared a very intimate relationship in a game of wanderer meets host country. I'm writing you this letter to say farewell and thank you for all of the memories that we have created together because within three days a bus will be boarded and our friendship will soon bare the harsh realities of long distances.
I came into your life on a pitch-black and brisk November evening after a strenuous border crossing through the desert tundras of southern Ecuador. A crowded collectivo van shuttled me from Tumbes to Mancora and within minutes of setting foot on your soil the vehicle sped off into the invisible abyss while still carrying my sleeping bag and a pair of hiking shoes still attached to its roof. These weren't the only items that your country has taken from me: Sandals got taken from boardwalk salsa bar in Mancora, a favorite shirt got ripped to shreds during an accident in Puno, a night of dancing led to a stolen hoodie then a sweater on two separate occasions in Cusco, and additionally a bank card got clumsily forgotten in a Lima ATM. Books ranging from Lonely Planets to children's literature in Spanish were left behind as tributes within your hostels, your busses, and your park benches with hopes that another wandering traveler would find a new use for them. Everything that was lost, stolen, or forgotten during the course o our friendship is all worth the experiences that we have shared together. They are my homage to your wonderful lands and your beautiful culture and for every item that has changed ownership there now sits in its place a memory that I will proudly remember for the rest of my life.
You have made me happy, sad, terrified, furious, curious, excited, shameful, shameless, and thankful over the past series of months, sometimes all in the span of minutes. Together we have seen sunsets along coastal paradises, stumbled home at sunrise after a night of dancing, fallen asleep when others were waking up. tasted the best and worst food of our lives, been crammed in a Cumbia blaring bus like fish ready for sale, wandered endless street corners in search of Internet cafes, trusted strangers with more than should be admitted, purchased delicious food from vibrantly colored markets, tasted dishes with confusing names, got introduced to future life-long friends, had a deep conversation that lasted only sixty seconds, had conversations about nothing that lasted for hours, played games of chicken with speeding taxis, pretended to understand lengthy conversations with fast-talking locals, been offered candy, offered drugs, offered rides, cut in lines, gotten completely lost, laughed with newly made friends, yelled at newly made opponents, cried in happiness, cried in sadness, but most of all we LIVED.
Thank you Peru for sharing your culture, people, and world with me it was a whirlwind ride and a complete honor getting to know you. I wouldn't trade a single instant of our relationship for anything and hopefully we are both better people from our time spent together. This farewell is not permanent, I will return maybe as a traveler but hopefully as a resident because no matter where we both are in the future you will always have a special place in my heart. Take really good care of yourself and please remember to brush your teeth after dinner :)
Love,
Danny Catena
P.S. Please import Goldfish crackers for the next time I visit your killing me...
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