This world is so beautiful and seems so immense, yet can be argued to be small. I am incredibly lucky and I am so grateful I have been able to see a portion of it.

This past week I was able to travel to Peru after dealing with some visa troubles.

I immediately organized a trip to Machu Picchu. For me, this was a dream come true. I remember being about 10 or 11 and learning about this mystical city, hidden deep within the Andes of Peru. To me, it was so intangible. My family and I never traveled together, because we didn’t have enough money to do so. But, as a little girl I always envisioned myself exploring the world and learning all about the Earth.

I know I have been gone for about 9 months now, but for the first time since my trip…I realized I have accomplished young Mia’s dream of seeing Machu Picchu. I have grown to be the person little Mia used to look up to-brave, adventurous, curious, and kind. For me, this trip to Peru meant the world to me. It taught me that I am capable of anything I put my mind to.

When I saw Machu Picchu, I stared in complete awe….looking at the mysterious Inca city that is still kind of a mystery, although many strong theories for its purpose exist. I walked through the city admiring its design and granite walls, and its intricate form. I left Machu Picchu feeling absolutely at peace, the kind of peace you feel when all of your worries suddenly become forgotten. Or, when you look at a night sky decorated in stars and feel apart of an incredibly large universe.

I later arrived back in Cusco and rested the next day because I had a long day planned for the day after. The day after arrived, and I went to Rainbow Mountain. I conquered hiking 17,060 feet above sea level and my lungs are still recovering.  My trek guide gave us coca infused water to rub onto our hands and then onto our faces as he said while holding the oxygen tank “if you want some of this oxygen tank…you don’t need oxygen, what you need is some of this magic water on your face”. This really made me laugh so hard for some reason. But once we rubbed the magic water on our faces….we were ready to run up the mountain, haha!

The rest of my week was spent enjoying time with my hostel roommates that I met. A nice German girl about my age, Eva, and a nice Chilean guy also around my age, Nico.

We explored Cusco and walked absolutely everywhere. We enjoyed artisan markets filled my vibrant life and stunning hand made items. We even ended up on the top of Cusco at Templo del Luna, finding our way all the way back to the city center enjoying some beautiful museums.

For me, it was kind of sad to see Churches built on old Inca temples, something done to eradicate their culture.

It being Semana Santa the local people also were able to enjoy the sites Cusco has to offer. It was a beautiful blend of tourists from all around the world and Peruvian people, all enjoying the same history. Cusco is already a magical city, with a lot of sacred energy to be felt, and this friendly mixture of cultures made it all the more magical.

I couldn’t help but think to myself, did the Incas ever imagine that a blend of all types of people would be in their old empire’s captial, admiring all that they had built?

Nonetheless, my Peru trip was lovely. I discovered who I once wanted to be and who I am today. I am so excited to create new goals and to keep going. I wonder where the next captured instances will lead me and where my future self will be. In the mean time, I am really enjoying seeing what this incredible world has to offer me in the present and I am going to keep on living each day with immense purpose.