La vida peruana es completa

And with the news that Anthony should have his official orders for Mexico in hand by Monday, my Peru blog is now done.  We are looking to travel to Nogales on Friday, December 4th. 

Things didn't really start moving until last week, when Anthony's language waiver finally became reality.  The short story is that the Nogales post requires a certain level of Spanish fluency (in State Dept. lingo, a 3/3 - speaking/reading), and Anthony had to take a test to determine his level (a 1+/3) and then get a waiver for not actually meeting the speaking level required for Nogales.  This process took about a month to a month and a half for HQ to figure out.  And that was them working swiftly.  Ah, government.

So the paneling board met on Friday to panel Anthony for Nogales, and the official papers should be in Anthony's grasping fingers by Monday.  And that is when he can finally arrange his travel, pack-out, and all the other necessary processes for moving from one foreign country to the next with State.

This, of course, means that I will not be traveling back to Peru in the meantime.  Which means that La Vida Peruana is over and done.  I cannot truly say that I will miss Peru, but I am thankful for the experience because it taught me much more about myself than I thought was possible in little over a year and I met some of the world's most beautiful and welcoming people.  I would like to take a moment to thank the individuals who were so much a part of my life in Lima that it is hard for me to imagine them not always being with me:

Ali: Although we met through Sarah, we were destined to meet at Caritas Felices anyway.  My life (and Grace's, Pooter's and Maggie's - and yes, even Anthony's (your non-friend)) is so enriched because of your spontaneity, generosity, and liveliness.  It will be hard for me to accept that, in Mexico, you won't be a constant guest, rooting around in my freezer for our stash of blueberries, drinking our (godawful) Jack Daniels, smooshing the furry kids (and trying to interest Grace in a nap on your bed), showering in the extra bathroom after another game of Ultimate, or dragging my sorry ass out of the house at ungodly hours of the night to show me how the Peruvians party, even when they're as ancient and crotchety as I am.  Just know that the drunk, naked wrestling, all things sausage, the fur-babies, and all the homemade food you can eat will continue to be the draw for you to come visit us, whether it be in Nogales or any other corner of the world.

Sarah: It was a definite moment of luck that brought us together on your last day at El Sol.  You have such a warm heart and a thoughtful nature - I loved every moment we were able to steal away and chat.  No matter the time or location, you were always available, despite your crazy schedule with CARE and the World Bank.  From champagne birthdays to the ritual stealing of clothes (don't try to deny it :), and to the periodic house parties where I presided as the resident elder (not to mention fogey), your wit and sparkle have been such a strong and consistent part of my vida limeña.  You must come visit me in your adopted home of Mexico!  Many JUGS! await you!!!

Violaine: my mamacita, my querida, my pata paciente y considerada... Many times I have sought your calming presence, only to walk away chuckling at some one or another silly thing you have said or done.  Of course, now that I know for sure that I won't be back in Lima, I am sorry that we did not have more time together, try more Peruvian restaurants, or stay up later over a bottle of wine and our Deli France booty...  I wish I could be there (although you will actually be in Canada for the grand finale) for the baby's development and birth so I could see both your belly and your warm maternal instincts grow.  Of course, that just means that you will have to keep me updated with pictures and emails, and I will have to do what I can to visit you wherever you are (because lord knows you're not taking a newborn to the Mexican border!!!).  Te amo más que puedes saber, querida...

Hannah: Thank goodness for Jeff!  If it weren't for the fact that I find your cousin so delectable and so good a judge of character (after all, he IS friends with me!), I never would have found the world's greatest banana pie or the world's greatest knitting teacher.  I am truly blessed to know both you and David, who together have helped me feel so rooted in Lima.  While I am sure Arabica could have used more patrons and less lollygagging, your cafe served as a home away from home for me during my year in Peru.  I always felt so welcome there (tell your staff I love them!), and most of that is because of the two of you.  You both are so earnest, thoughtful, and well-intentioned; your only downside is that it is next to impossible to see you outside of work!  :P  But that didn't stop me at all from crashing your cafe at all hours of the day and night, just to get a hug, a slice of banana pie, hours of knitting instruction, and plenty of chat.  If you ever manage to take a vacation, know that there is a guest room somewhere in the world with your name on it - and we cook!!!

While there are so many more people who drew us into their world and made la vida peruana so live-able (yeah, I'm looking at you Seb, David, Kartik, Kathy, Alex, Tania, etc.), and even more people who passed in and out of our lives like a lively splash of color and excitement, my four limeñas were the heart and soul of Peru for me.  I will never forget a second of our adventures and my home is always open to you.

And with that, La Vida Peruana comes to a close.  You can follow me around the world from here on out at Home and Away, my original Blog: http://pookah.blogspot.com/.  Please feel free to stop by and visit!