More Goodbyes

So, Bequis needed to get ready to go to the airport the next day, so we did not sleep that night, preparing her luggage and such. We left the house at 4:30 am, said our goodbyes, and were back by 6 am.

I think that Bequis enjoyed Peru. People welcomed her with open arms. People are so nice and welcoming and loving, that it is sometimes overwhelming. Bequis has been a great travel companion and friend, and I will miss her on the second half of my trip. We have had quite the series of adventures together. I was glad to have someone else appreciate things we would find different that other Peruvians would take for granted (like the dogs on the roof that surprised Bequis, having to stand far away while our Peruvian friends were hailing a cab so we wouldn´t get charged the gringo price, bartering in the market, looking nappy while we camped, having lots of leg room on the plane, etc).

After a four hour nap, I met up with Hna. Avalos and Harold and we visited Hna. Rosa up at her home on the cerrito. Her house was much bigger now and they had some modern conveniences, for which I was so grateful. We spent some time talking with her and helping get the niñas ready for the colegio. I got to hold the youngest baby, whose name is Susan Katty (named after Hna. Avalos and I. No, seriously. I told her that we would be the godparents). I told her we would do a noche de hogar (FHE) at her home on Wednesday. Her husband should be back this week! He works 24 days and then gets 7 days off (supposedly, since he spends many of those days traveling to and from work). It is fortunate that I will get to see him when he comes back.

After our visit, including at the house of our pensionista, Hna. Soledad. We had an AMAZING Peruvian meal (arroz con pollo). I had forgotten that she is such a good cook. I was so spoiled as a missionary with excellent food. We had so much fun and just laughed and laughed, like old times. Andy, her son, joined us and we teased him just as much as we had in the good old days. Good times, de verdad.

After our visit, it was time to say goodbye to Katty and Harold. I was so happy to spend the time with them this weekend, just like old times, and to visit those families. It seemed like a dream that I am here in Peru, but IT IS TRUE! We had a blast doing the show, and we were able to conversate and catch up. What a blessed weekend it was. Of course, we hugged and cried and said, ¨hasta el milenio¨ (until the millennium), but hopefully, it will be sooner than that. Now we say, ¨hasta Facebook.¨ But, that is life, right? If you love someone, it hurts to say goodbye to them. And, people have to keep on living their individual lives.

To be continued...........

Belly Aches---Food and Laughter

After visiting Olga´s family, we visited Gloria and her son, Jhon (yes, that is spelled right), who had just received his mission call to Argentina. To Bequis´surprise, she knew the new mission presidents! They were from Boston, too! We joked about how Jhon would get special privileges because Bequis could give him a good recommendation (pizza, perhaps? become assistant to the president the moment he walked off the plane?).

I failed to mention how much I have been reliving my mission. I had forgotten about the hundreds of stairs we walked up, the dogs that ran loose and barked at us (scaring the daylights out of us), the dusty streets, and all the food we ate. I soon remembered, after eating at every house a full meal. I don't know how we ate three meals in a three hour time span and walked after that, but somehow we managed.

We four (Hna. Avalos and her fiancee, Bequis and I) took a taxi and went to the apartment where Pres. Blunck and Hna. Blunck live. They soon finish their mission the end of June, which is one of the main reasons why I scheduled my trip when I did. In the taxi (much to our amusement and the driver´s bewilderment) we rehearsed our ¨show.¨ We didn´t have time to come up with an ending, but figured we would improvise. And we did.

If you really want to know about our show, contact me and ask me about it and I will tell you about it. It was hilarious (of course, I am biased). Basically, it was about two returned missionaries who try to use different habits and skills they learned from the mission to apply towards the second mission....finding a husband. I am sure you will see it on Broadway in a few years.

Although our gathering was small, perhaps 10 missionaries came, it was so special to catch up and see how everyone was doing, and, of course, to spend time with the Bluncks again. Hna. Velarde, who served in my mission, presented the Bluncks with a binder of letters that other missionaries had written for them, and had emailed to Hna. Velarde to compile. That was a labor of love, since Hna. Velarde has very limited time. She is great at organizing and accomplishing many things.

Side note: Hna. Velarde also helped Bequis and I find our great hostal in Cusco...if you need a travel agent, she is the person to talk to. I will be happy to forward her information on if you are planning a trip to Peru. She is fluent in English (and of course, Spanish).

That night was just preparation for other goodbyes we would have the next day. To be continued......

A Surprise Visit

Bequis and I had already agreed that we would not be getting any sleep during this trip, and we were right. Sure enough, just like old times, church started at 7:30 am. Because it was fast and testimony day, some of the women shared their feelings with the rest of the congregation. One woman (bless her heart clause here) went on about how she would never be late to church, because it is disrespectful. Since we had stumbled in a little past 7:30, it was a ¨machete¨moment for all of us (although, to Bequis and my credit, we were ready to go but members of our group were not, so we arrived late, too).

The best part was seeing Rosa and her children there, as well as the Hna. Soledad (our pensionista) with her husband, Alberto. Alberto had a HUGE grin on his face when he saw Hna. Avalos and I there, together, just like old times (we had stayed in their home and had eaten breakfast and dinner with them for 3 months). Cesar, one of Rosa and Amador's sons, whispered to someone, ¨That looks just like the Hna. Christensen!¨When he got close to me and I said ¨hola¨ he said, ït IS Hna. Christensen!¨

After church, Bequis, Hna. Avalos and her fiancee and I went to visit one of our converts and friends, Olga. We stayed an d visited with her whole family, shared pictures, sang hymns, and prayed together. It was a surprise for them and a prized experience for all of us. This is what I miss about my mission, being able to be in people´s homes and to listen to them, encourage them, sing with them, and especially, to pray for them. It is a special experience that I am reliving during my trip. Tourism is fun, but ministering is the BEST!

To be continued....

Salkantay and Machu Picchu

If you haven't been to Machu Picchu, you need to go. No, like, right now. I am not even kidding. It is expensive, but it is totally worth it!

Bequis and I thought it sounded glamorous to hike for two continous days before going to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. I had thought I was in shape before the trip and I thought I was an outdoorsy kind of gal.....and then reality hit. After our hike, which was beautiful, I could barely walk, my muscles were so sore. I had people twice my age racing past me as I stumbled along slowly, climbing up and down Machu Picchu´s famous stairs. Next time we will do Machu Picchu first.

Even though 90% of what we know about Machu Picchu is speculation, it is interesting to see these famous ruins. Our guide had researched this and taught us that one hypothesis is that Machu Picchu was a school. Others think that it was a summer vacation home for the wealthy. There are a variety of theories there.

The neatest part for me was to see that the Inca had carved small replicas of the mountains that stood directly behind them in the background. They also have little ¨bookshelves¨carved into the stone walls, that could hold someone´s belongings, or a religous offering. Theories abound.

We met people from all over the world there, including Peru (imagine that), Australia, United States, China, Japan, Holland, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, etc. It was fun just to people watch and to realize that I wasn´t the only one that looked like a tourist. ;)

After a beautiful day there, we took the PeruRail back to Ollantaytambo and then took a bus back to Cusco. The best part of the trip was the 25 minute shower I took with HOT WATER, after not showering during our trek. The hot water must have also helped my muscles relax, because they were fine after that.

The next day, we did some shopping in the markets of Cusco, enthralled with all the tourist stuff they sell there. Who wouldn.t love the crocheted finger puppets of different animals, including monkeys, llamas, snakes, and giraffes?

After grabbing an empanada to eat, we ran to the hostal and went to the airport, ready for our next adventure to begin in Lima.............

What happens in Cusco, stays in Cusco....

So, Bequis and I arrived in Cusco and were greeted by taxistas wanting to charge us 20 soles for a ride from the airport to our hostal. I laughed at them trying to overcharge them, and they laughed at my trying to undercharge them (I told them that we always go for 7 soles). We finally found a persistent taxista willing to go for 10 soles. This was the first of many price hagglings we would undergo (much to my enjoyment and Bequis{ chagrin). The driver told us to tour the Incan ruins, including the famous Saqsayhuaman, which is pronounced close to "sexy woman." We soon learned that this joke is used a lot in Cusco.

We found our Hostal, Hostal Qosqo, which is close to the Plaza de Armas. We like it a lot. The people are nice and the rooms are simple but nice. The breakfast buffet is good, too. For more information, check out their website: It could also help that we bought the staff chocolate bars (Sublime) to show our appreciation-grease the wheels.

We went to Museo de Arte Qosqo and saw traditional dances there, including La Marinera: It was incredible! Bequis and I had fun posing with the mannequins in native dress from different regions. We were afraid we would be chastised for getting too close to the mannequins when the security lady told me to hug the mannequin and to pretend to kiss it! So, we were obedient! I will make sure to post these pictures of our Peruvian boyfriends.

That same night we met up with Allie Yost, another mission companion who is in Cusco for a public health internship. We met up with her and her friend and caught up on our lives. Another happy reunion and plans to see each other in the States.

Bequis and I discovered this amazing restaurant that was reasonably priced (10 soles for menu), neat and clean, and DELICIOUS. It is called El Fogon and is amazing. We tipped them EXTREMELY well because we were so impressed. It is located on the street called "Plateros" #365 on the second floor. The phone number is 262353. We loved the food so much, we want everyone to go there!

The next day we went on a city tour to see the Incan ruins with our new Arequipeñan friends we had met the Sunday before. Our guide was pretty SASSY! He was really smart, too. There were people in our group from all over the world. There was one time that they were talking about the fountain of youth. I jokingly told this white-haired Argentine man, I tried the fountain of youth and it works for me! I am actually 150 and I look GREAT! The Argentine went along with the joke and said that I was his mom. I reminded him that he needed to clean his room and do his homework when he got back from the tour. Good times, good times.

After our tour we were exhausted. We had some maracuya juice and headed to bed. We had to wake up early to go on our big trekking expedition the next morning.......

Happy Times in Arequipa

So, no worries. Bequis and I are well and alive in Peru. We first went to Arequipa, where we were warmly received by Katty Avalos and her parents. They even had a special cake made for us which said, Bienvenidos, amigos! We had so much fun with them and her sobrinos (nieces and nephews). We went grocery shopping with Mami Avalos one day, and we did everything from watch Bollywood music videos (very popular here), practice English pronunciation of Katy Perry{s Firework song, try new hairstyles, etc. We had so much fun spending time with Katty´s family.

We had not been able to contact one of my companions, Hna. Nina, but were able to track her down and reunite with her, Hna. Ticona, and Hna. Avalos in the Plaza de Armas (the main square). We had so much fun catching up on the happenings of the past few years. I love those girls! I think Bequis enjoyed getting to know them, too.

Our time in Arequipa flew by and soon it was time for us to begin our next adventure....Cusco!

Leaving on a jet plane....

Are you ready for this?


It's been a little over two years since I've gotten back from my full-time missionary service in the Peru Lima North Mission, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I attribute so many blessings in my life as a result of my missionary service. I learned so many life lessons that I hope I have not forgotten in these two years since I have gotten back. I have formed amazing friendships with the people with whom I have served and who we served. I have felt an amazing spirit of love and unity that comes from working hard, praying hard, and trying to help others. I have seen miracles and have seen what can happen when people put their faith in God and in Jesus Christ.

And, now, it is time to go back!


I am excited to go back, but also, frankly, nervous.

-Will I ever get my packing and trip preparations done?
-What will happen when I go back? What the heck am I even going to do?
-Will I get lost? (That's a given. I don't even have to ask that question.)
-Will I be safe? Will I get robbed?
-Will I get fat (I sure hope so! The food is SO good!)?
-Will I be able to make a difference in such a short time span?
-What if my friends and church members don't like me?
-Will they understand and be forgiving if I have forgotten their names?
-Will I be able to understand and communicate in Spanish?
-Will my suitcase be too heavy (I hope I don't have to wear all my clothes at once, but I could do it if necessary)?
-Will I ever want to come back to the States? (Naaahh....probably not)


It hasn't quite sunk in yet, that I am even leaving the country. WHAT? What am I doing?!?!?!

So, stay updated on my trip by following my blog. I plan to update it at least once a week. And, I promise it will be entertaining, uplifting, and worthy of your time.

So, buckle your seat belts and let the adventure begin!!!