Homecoming

"Welcome aboard everyone," the captain called out. The muffled breathing of 300 or so passengers wearing facemasks became quiet. The snap-click of hand sanitizers sounded from around the aircraft. "You have all been waiting a long time to get to this point. I wanted to announce that this airplane is the property of the United States which technically means you are already on home territory." Three hundred passengers started clapping and the relief was practically palpable. After finishing the procedural safety announcements the captain finished with, "Welcome home everyone!" Another round of clapping flooded the plane. So much was still unknown, but at least 300 (out of over 5,000) American citizens trapped in Peru were finally on their way home.

Once the ball for getting out got rolling it took off rapidly. I discovered around 8:30 - 9 PM last Sunday that I had a flight out for 10 o'clock the next morning. The US embassy would fly a group of 14 of us from Pucallpa to Lima, and then out of the country with a final destination of Miami, Florida.

Thankfully, I was already mostly packed from the last time I thought I would be leaving. This time, I could pack quicker and spend more time saying goodbye.

Saying goodbye to Mr. Bingley.

The news hit hardest when I learned that no pets were allowed on the evacuation flight. Mr. Bingley, my beloved little kitty, would have to stay in Peru. You see, I traditionally don't like cats, but Bing Bud is special and I knew I couldn't easily find a replacement. The tears, involuntarily, welled in my eyes and fell over the rims.

"Don't worry," said Papa Henrry. "We'll take care of him and make sure he gets fed." "Yes!" said Llingli. "We will look after him, too. We'll send lots of pictures, and maybe someone can take him to the United States later on." So, I left my orange-haired kitty in Peru, holding onto the hope that perhaps one day he could make the journey across the continents.

Goodbyes were hard. But, I felt thankful that this time I actually had time to say them properly. I never was able to say goodbye to Mama Laura and that breaks my heart. But, one day I will return. Maybe I can return with my own Mama and Papa. For a short while the world will be whole.

We (Isaac and myself) left Pucallpa in a very small aircraft. There was one seat on either side of a tiny isle, and only 14 passengers were on board. After we arrived in Lima they ushered us all into a large hanger outside of the main airport. Our luggage was screened by using several beautiful Germain Shepherds. We boarded a much larger plane with approximately 300 other passengers. Nearly half of which were Mormon missionaries. By the time the Mormons pull their missionaries out of the field and bring them home, it's clear that the world is dealing with something just a little crazy.

Saying hello to Nika! Best buds reunited.

I wouldn't know until I landed in the Miami airport what the rest of my itinerary would look like.

Thankfully the rest of my flight was smooth. There were many stops, but thankfully no major problems. I arrived home on Tuesday afternoon in the middle of a snowstorm. I'd say it was a surprise, but nothing is surprising when I comes to Montana weather.

Since being home life has been surprisingly normal. Reverse culture shock struck a little yesterday, but so far it hasn't been too intense. I guess this quarantine may actually help ease me back into American culture instead of dumping me into the boiling pot of run, run, run, go, go, go.

Oh! How wonderfully good it is to be home.

I'm cold. My family keeps teasing me. "Can we turn the heat up?" I ask. "It's not THAT cold!" they say. "YOU didn't just come from the heat and humidity of the jungle."

Sweet, sweet reunions.

Life feels odd. Everything is so normal in this house. I'm surrounded again by a shocking amount of bookcases, my family's sassy sense of humor, and the mountain outside. And yet, sometimes my brain forgets and I respond to questions in Spanish. "Huh?" they say. "Oh! I'm sorry. I meant...." What a life.

I made a Peruvian supper for everyone the other night. It was a HUGE hit. Thank you Janina and Mama Laura for teaching me your ways.

I would describe my feelings more, but they're still swishing and swirling in confusion. BUT, I want my readers to know that even though I'm home, the Peruvian Post is not yet complete. I still have things I want to share about culture there, and I want to bring you with me on the journey of re-integrating into my own culture. Not many people have heard of what we call "reverse culture shock," but it's still a very real part of learning to exist in more than one culture. The stages are roughly the same, but they can be even more confusing since we expect to fit right back into our home culture. It doesn't always work that smoothly. I hope you continue to join me on this adventure and future ones as well.

For now, I rejoice. My loved ones, near and far, are safe. May it stay that way.

~TBS~

This is a vlog that I put together about what quarantine in Peru was like. I'm still working on the evacuation vlog. I hope you enjoy!