Giving thanks

Even when you live in a country that doesn't celebrate the holiday, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and take a moment to appreciate the things you're thankful for in life. I am lucky enough to have many such things, so I wanted to share some of what I'll be giving thanks for this year:

• The chance to live a dream I've had since middle school: Peace Corps. Sometimes I have to pinch myself and remember to appreciate every moment of this amazing adventure.
• My fellow 19er and Cajamarca volunteers. I couldn't ask for a better group to laugh and commiserate with as we make our way through the Peace Corps roller coaster. 
• The support and love of friends and family at home. Staying connected with everyone helps me feel less far away and keeps me going.
• That miracle of modern technology: the internet. Peace Corps in 1961 would have been a different ballgame.
• Two years to explore the beautiful cultural and environmental diversity of Peru... for free. Machu Picchu is just the tip of the iceberg; I will not be running out of vacation destinations anytime soon.
• A soon-to-be reunion with my best friend after 10 months apart, for New Years in Buenos Aires no less.
• The warm welcome I've received from my host family and the people in Cajabamba, and the opportunity to work directly with the community to try and make a difference while I'm here.
• How incredibly cheap fruit and fruit juice is in Peru - the U.S. can't even come close.

I'm not saying that spending Thanksgiving in Peru is totally ideal. There are things I'm really missing right now, like pumpkin muffins, ski season, keeping the crisp fall air at bay in my purple pea coat, and turkey dinner with family and friends at home. But skipping out on all this for one year won't kill me, and when I look at the big picture, I'm thankful to be right where I am.