Cuzco Costello: Sap, today

I am in the middle of a long layover in Lima.

I said some hello's and goodbye's today. I met Marianela to go to Arturo's at 8:15. His mom served us "ponche," which upon further examination, may be punch made from lima beans? or peas? Needless to say, I sipped it slowly.

"Family photo"

You may remember Arturo's story from last year. What a change! Last year, his feet were burnt so that he would not escape the house. This year, he is urged to go out in the streets, as he has found a way to earn money. He had 30 soles in his money belt today and mom was planning to take him to buy some shoes! While I am so impressed by Arturo's ability to figure out how to survive (taking out trash at restaurants, carrying things for strangers), I also worry about him. His mom did tell us that Arturo is antisocial in public, that is, he is bothered and may push or shove if you talk to him in the wrong manner. She also told us that he comes home at 12 or 1 in the morning. A social worker recently urged her to get him off of the street, so a friend is going to teach him how to make thatched roofs! Very cool.

He is a MAN! Can't believe how much he grew.

While we sat with Arturo, I noticed the biggest changes. He was attending to the conversation in bits and pieces, and stayed the entire time I was there. He even chased us to the door when we left! I am so proud to see these changes in Arturo, however insignificant they may seem to others.

Marianela kept me on a strict schedule today, so we went straight from Arturo's to a nearby plaza to say farewell to Vivian and her family. Dressed in her "Sunday best," Vivian not only sat next to me, but grabbed my hand. So much sweetness. My heart breaks that right now I cannot give the family more than my love. I have big dreams for Vivian, and the Global Autism Project may even have a plan, but I just cannot promise anything yet. I left a jacket and some vitamins with Vivian's mom.

I gave Marianela some awesome picture cards by Different Roads to Learning, and gave her a brief (very brief) intro to discrete trial training. She was SO excited, and promised to take pictures. Goodbye's with Nela came too soon (after she came to my rescue in a lavenderia mess... and recovered my favorite orange sweater!). She has been my shepherd all week, and my booking agent the last few days! She has the most curious mind I've ever known, and I am so grateful that she is at San Martin.

Then onto my last Cuzco appointment with Tim DeWinter. Tim is the director of Projects Abroad - Peru. I came to know him during my volunteer placement with Projects Abroad in Cusco, over 2 years ago. What I have come to find is that Tim is an incredibly influential man in Cuzco. Everyone knows Tim! He is a founding member of the Regional Network of Education for the Cusco region and has some major sway that will help April 2nd come to fruition in a very cool way! Details to follow...

Big lump in my throat when I was at the Cuzco airport. The Pisco Sour before I left probably didn't help. But I went outside to catch my breath and take one last gander at the mountains before going through security. Am I leaving too soon? I think one of the hardest parts for me was that I was here to organize and plan this round. I did not have real time with the kids, and spent most of my time "working." I guess I feel like I didn't do much this trip, as it was all - well maybe some day, we can...

But I'm sitting in the Lima airport now, trying to get ready for tomorrow! Reading school emails makes me a little bit more excited to make a difference for those kiddos. And maybe have a dance party in the process. Return to life tomorrow, including grad school, teaching, and maybe making some of these Peru dreams come true...