Sometimes I feel Like Throwing My Hands Up In the Air!

The month of march can be summed up, wrapped up in a neat little box and labeled March Madness. This month had me traveling  to Ecuador and then all over Peru for a couple of different reasons. I spent almost three weeks of the month living out of my giant green backpack which is a testament to my amazing ability to pack lightly- I'll be adding that to my resume- thank you very much.

My first stop was in Quito, Ecuador. So like just about every girl (and plenty of guys) of my generation I was obsessed with a boy band during my teens. My drug of choice was the Backstreet Boys.They were my fire,my heart's desire, believe me when I say, that I wanted it that way. So when I heard they were traveling South America I reverted back to that 15 year old that oh my gawd absolutely had to see them in concert. Thanks to one of my best friend's and boy band drug supplier Macho, I took the 12 hour journey north of the border to Quito. When the trip was first designed there were plenty of volunteers who signed up to come to the concert and like the fair-weather fans I knew them to be one by one the dropped out of the trip with lame excuses and no good reasons (may A.J. have mercy on your souls). Concert time it ended up being just me-their real number one fan, and Justin-a fellow volunteer who didn't say "not it" fast enough. 

While going to see the Backstreet Boys was the main reason for the trip, the city of Quito ended up stealing the spotlight. Walking down its cobblestone stone hilly streets admiring the architecture, cathedrals and the people, I felt like I had taken a 12 hour bus ride to another time not just another place. The scenery was breath taking, partly because elevation wise we were so very high up and there was less oxygen, and partly because the mountainous landscape looked painted on by Bob Ross and then touched up by Jesus. Justin and I drank cafe con leche at little restaurants and worked out the itineraries for our individual post Peace Corps travel dreams. We took a day trip to see my first volcano- a live one might I add- and rode cable cars between mountains to see waterfalls. We ate delicious foods, drank delicious drinks, stayed at the cutest hostel and met the most amazing people. It was the perfect trip. I am not one to throw around concrete adjectives such as perfect very easily but no other word comes close. Truth is that like with any experience truly lived and loved there are no words that ever come close- and that is why we make due with photography.