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Peru Trip: April 09

I was due for a trip to Peru. Last one I made was 1 year ago, for 4 weeks. This time I stayed for 6 weeks.

"My" plan was to stay 2 or 3 days at the Hostel of my ex-wife's Family. Even though me & her are separated, they still consider me as a member of The Family. They are a classic example of the Peruvian family, that even in such a confused and complicated society that we live in today, they have not lost the eternal values of united families, warm hospitality, always willing to share their lives with others, with no other personal interest aside from the happiness received from living the moment, fighting together, only for love. I learned from them the valuable lesson that "Love never fails". May God bless them forever and may God bless Peru.

I had planned to go first to Cusco for 2 or 3 weeks and then return to Lima for the remainder of the trip. This has always been my routine itinerary.

My first reaction upon arriving in Peru:

I remembered the joke of a mental patient who was banging his head against the wall, and when they asked him why he did it, he answered that he did it because it felt so good when he stopped doing it. That's the way I feel when I go back to the United States, it's like hitting my head against a wall, then when I return to Peru I feel a great relief. If my kids didn't live in the States, I think maybe I wouldn't go back there.

Peru is like paradise. 70 % of the capital city of Lima is dirty, & looks poor. You may even think it's dangerous. But the heart of the people is like gold. If the musician "Neil Young" is still searching for that "heart of gold", he should go to Lima Peru. On the streets of Lima is like being in heaven, meanwhile on the streets of the United States is like a combination of limbo, purgatory & hell.

Before traveling I was suffering from severe gastritis. And like a miracle, it all went away & my stomach got healed in Peru. It must be due to the stress level being so low. Also not only because the food is so delicious & natural, but at lunch time, which is the main meal of the day, everybody stops for a few hours. And everyone gets together and has a nice fellowship time during the meal, be it amongst relatives or amongst friends. Every plate of food you savor is like a stomach orgasm.

For almost the whole trip I kept trying to plan a trip to Cusco, but each week some new reason would come up not to go. Till I finally just accepted the fact that I should relax, not try to go anywhere & just enjoy each moment. I even went out dancing twice. Also I found a lady who gave therapeutic massages for 10 soles ($3) for 45 minutes. I got addicted to her massages and started going 2 or 3 times per week.

Usually, I would work in Peru with my guitar singing in restaurants. When I first got there, I went out a couple of times, did OK, but I felt I should cancel that out and only reach out to people on a more personal level, where money is not involved.

I distributed lots of free literature, met many drug addicts on the streets, of which Lima has plenty of, a good percentage of them are under age. I found them to be so receptive when they receive a few coins, clothing, some friendship, love, encouragement and some counsel. Very receptive.

It seems like in Peru they live their lives to share their moments with others. Its a beautiful feeling, everyone wants to share their time with you.

Once upon a time, United States was also that way, but it all changed with the 80's. For example before the 80's, people in America used to "hitchhike", and everyone wanted to pick you up immediately, everyone was interested in what the other person had to say. Some people even had a sticker on their car which said: "Grass, Gas, or Ass". Meaning they expected one of those 3 things if they gave you a ride. Sometimes you received all 3 of them, it was awesome. People were excited about sharing with one another, but suddenly it all stopped. What happened to the USA? Was that the day when the music died, as in "Bye Bye Miss American Pie"?

That spirit of unselfishness & living life to share life, is still going on now, as we speak, in Latin America. Thats the beauty of it. Start living today, there is only one way. Don't let life pass you by without knowing love. Cherish the life & live in the light of love. Tomorrow will be too late. Do it now.

PS: To see the pictures of this splendid trip to Peru, go to:

www.myspace.com/juliosalomon and in the photos section, see the album: "Peru trip April 09".

Julio Salomon (www.juliosalomon.com)