Summer is coming to an end and so have my two amazing months of travelling: four weeks of working at one of the greatest hostels I’ve ever been to, two weeks of travelling through Peru & Bolivia and last but not least two relaxing weeks in Texas, well spent with my family and friends over there. Now that I’ve been back in Germany for a week, I have to say that being home doesn’t even feel as bad as expected! After being on the road for several weeks, exploring new countries, experiencing exciting things, speaking other languages, meeting amazing and interesting people, hearing their stories, telling my own, after all this fun and not having to worry about a thing, I figured coming home would be really difficult and maybe even a little boring. But so far (the heat wave that hit Germany as soon as I arrived helped a lot), I have really enjoyed my time back home. Hanging out with some friends, keeping Max from studying, coffee dates in the sun, spontaneous day trip to Berlin, quality family time with my parents and grandparents & more fun stuff coming up before I’m headed back to Maastricht on Sunday. And although all this sounds like I’m pretty busy having a good time and like I’m not missing anything, I still find myself looking back every once in a while. Thinking about my journey, this summer, the people I met – reflecting on those two months and everything that happened during my time on the other side of the Atlantic. As always, I had the time of my life and as always, I’d go back straight away if I could. And to make you understand what makes me feel that way about my time in South America, I’d like to just share a couple of my favourite little things with you that I can’t stop thinking about and that I wish I could go back to right now:

• Cusco, “Ciudad de Todos” – that sky, that view, that beautiful city that has become one of my favourite places in the world

I fell in love with this city from the first moment onwards

I even miss those exhausting killer-stairs…

I could’ve looked at those sunsets & the colourful sky forever

one of my favourite things to do in Cusco: climb up some hill or mountain, explore some temples or ruins, sit down & just enjoy the view

• San Pedro Market and fresh fruit & vegetables

Those Peruvian avocados (“paltas”) were the best I’ve ever tasted! How can I go back to eating avocados at home?

I have to admit that I don’t only miss the amazing sweet taste of all the fruit but also the sweet prices

Aldi, Rewe & co. won’t ever even get close to the variety from those markets

One of my favourite meals: rice+avocado+tomato+aji+salt & pepper = heaven

• hostel life & all the adventures that come with it

Occasional electricity shortcuts + no water = doing dishes in dirty water in huge bins… gotta do what you gotta do

My job at the bar at Kokopelli was most definitely the best thing about this trip to South America

Guys, don’t make sexy time in the movie room! Gotta love those hostel rules

My favourite dish from the hostel kitchen: Quinoa salad with avocado and zucchini

• street food snacks

Fresh pineapple from the streets – my favourite everyday snack

Cookies from the market or some lady that sells them on the street

Looks like regular cereal – tastes so much better! And one big ole bag only costs 30 cents

• adventures, fun & unexpected surprises (like getting lost in the local parts of town, being approached by an old man on the street who all of a sudden starts to speak German to you, meeting college kids that decide to walk 45 minutes to the centre with you because “there will probably be a lot of Pokémon on the way”, going on minivan rides that you’re not sure you’ll survive…)

Just one example of a random parade that took place one day in Cusco. I just love those unexpected events everywhere!

“Don’t worry guys! Although this summer adventure might be over, backpacking plans for next summer are already in the making. Happy travelling!” – xoxo Lena