Nora Dunn (The Professional Hobo)

I recently spent a month in Peru, where I used to live, 10 years ago.

My reasons for returning to a place can vary; it could be to revisit old haunts, or to create new ones.
To see how a place has changed, or to continue exploring where I left off, or to create an entirely new narrative.

My reasons for returning to Peru after 10 years away was a combo of these factors.

I based myself in Peru for 2 years, 2014-2016. In that time, my life transformed. (I'll link to that story in the comments).

In fact, I was in the process of applying for Peruvian residency, with ideas that my chapter as a traveling digital nomad was done.

Things didn't shake out that way, and my departure from Peru was pretty heartbreaking.

But with the passage of time and a dose of hindsight, I realized it was time to return to Peru and re-write the narrative.

And I did.

I saw how some things changed, and how other things didn’t.
I revisited old sites (and saw them with new eyes by virtue of being with my partner who hadn't visited Peru before).
I also visited new sites and created new memories.

Emotionally, I wasn't blindsided by seeing the house where I used to live (which has since been somewhat tragically abandoned and is falling into disrepair) and remembering the life I once had.

In fact, the passage of time has allowed me to integrate everything I learned and to become somebody more well-rounded, balanced, wise, and fun-loving.
I am proud of the person I have become since I lived in Peru, and I am thankful for my Peruvian life chapter as the catalyst for who I am today.


While this photo dump is a couple of months late, I shared many experiences in (almost) real time through Stories! I created a highlight section of the best Peru stories on IG; check it out!

2 months ago | [YT] | 74