TO PERU, WITH LOVE THIS VALENTINES
To my dearest Peru,
I do hope this letter finds you well and in good form.
I have a much pressing matter, which has been playing on my mind ever since we met three years ago. I can contain it no longer and I must unburden my heart and tell you that Peru, you are the one, my true one love on this earth.
Within hours of our first meeting, a kind of breathlessness came over me. I had never felt such pain and desire simultaneously before. My heart was fluttering like a butterfly, escalating exponentially to a strong pulsating sensation. My head filled slowly with fog like a muddied convection leaving no room for lateral thought. I felt sluggish and barely able to place one foot in front of the other. A medical opinion confirmed altitude sickness but I knew it was something far worse, something that was beginning to consume me.
No amount of traditional coca tea concoction would cure what I had, for I was under a spell; I was already yours in mind and spirit and now in body too.
The more I got to know you, the more and more I was falling for every part of you. The coastal beauty and magnificent cuisine of Lima, the perfect Andean terrain and backdrop in Ollantaytambo and then there was the splendour of the great Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.
But it was Cusco that will always remain my favourite part of you. The colonial architecture, watching the world go by with a coffee in hand and the stunning Belmond Hotel Monasterio and its presidential suite.
You may recall, I was gasping for every breath and could not climb the Inca trail for medical reasons, but you ensured I did not miss out on seeing Hiram Bingham’s greatest discovery of Machu Picchu. You treated me to the greatest birthday gift of all travelling in utter luxury on the Belmond Hiram Bingham.
I spent the night in your arms at Machu Picchu with views of the great Huyana Picchu in the milieu.
We sipped on Pisco Sours, at the Belmond sanctuary lodge and rose at 5 am to spontaneously walk with the llamas amongst a cloud of mist around us.
It felt like we were floating in the clouds! A lasting memory that I will hold as dear as a prized family heirloom.
I often wonder if Hiram Bingham felt this love when he uncovered the citadel that he read about set on a mission of discovery in search of it? Imagine his sheer incredulity.
I live in great anticipation of the moment we set eyes upon each other again and that I can finally tell you in person that my heart belongs to you and no other. You are the love of my life.
But until then, I shall savour the memories that live so vividly in my head, look at the visual photographic remainders and hold this physical mark of my visit to commemorate our time together.
To Peru, with love this Valentines.
El tuyo siempre,
be-lavie xx
Many thanks to Latin America for Less (Peru for Less) for bringing us together.
PIN FOR LATER
Binny
What a beautiful post Bejal xx
Bejal
BinnyThanks Binny, I really enjoyed writing about it x
Harpreet
This has to be my favourite post Bejal! Love love love it! South America for me is the elusive continent. I am lusting so much to head here and have planned it umpteen times. One day, the Universe will conspire!
Bejal
HarpreetAhh thanks Harpreet, you’re so kind. I do hope you make it there one day as it is just so beautiful and one of teh places in the world I crave to visit again and again. x
Greatness Reinvented
Great post. Love the writing style and the images. What an amazing journey.
GR | https://www.thegreat.uk
Bejal
Greatness ReinventedThanks so much for reading and glad you enjoyed the post.
the Curious Pixie
Love your heartfelt love letter. Machu Picchu is a dream of mine. And your pics are gorgeous.
Bejal
the Curious PixieThankyou Sima. Such a fab place to take photos as its just stunning all over.
ndsouza2006
Amazing letter of love! The whole experience sounds so memorable and it just looks so beautiful One day I will do South America x
Bejal
ndsouza2006Thankyou Neha and one day you must go to South America. I have all the inpso when you need it x
aeparker81
I can’t imagine how bad altitude sickened can be… But those llamas, amazing!
Bejal
aeparker81It kind of feels like you’re drunk but without the pleasure of drinking the alcohol in the first place. It’s really painful and the worst headache, blurry vision, sickness that I’ve ever had. Still had the best time and don’t be fooled by the cuteness of the llamas.
Sarah
A beautiful letter! You and Peru seem to have had your trials and tribulations! But overall the love shines through 🙂 I have felt this love for a few places too <3
Bejal
SarahYes totally! You have been to some amazing places Sarah and I can just imagine what it was like, especially Japan.xx
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Such a dreamie post! That train journey sounds like something utterly spectacular – you’ve made me want to visit Peru even more!
Bejal
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)Thanks so much! You have to go to Peru, it’s my favourite country to date and the people, food and sights are outstanding!
Cristina - Memories of the Pacific
Peru must be so beautiful! I love how you narrated this post as a love letter 🙂
Bejal
Cristina – Memories of the PacificIt really is stunning Cristina! So glad you enjoyed it and thanks as always for your lovely and kind comments x
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi
What an evocative post Bejal! It’s gorgeous!!
Bejal
Emma @ Adventures of a London KiwiAww thanks so much Emma! All true, I’d go back in a flash!
Laura
Beautifully written!
Bejal
LauraThankyou Laura!
louiseloveslondon
This is one of my favourite blog posts! Well – they all are! You are such a talented writer, my darling! I got super scared when I saw the photo of you being ill! Thank God you recovered fast, so you could go and explore this beautiful, beautiful country! I soooo want to experience everything you just wrote about here! AMAZING! What an adventure!
Louise x
Bejal
louiseloveslondonAww thanks so much Louise.Yes the altitude sickness is really bad but I recovered fast. You really have to go to South America one day, it’s such a unique experience. xx
Kerry LifeandLoves
Ahhhhh I loved this! I felt that I was falling a little in love with Peru too! I hope you dont mind if he cheats on you with me one day…………
Bejal
Kerry LifeandLovesThankyou kerry for reading and stopping by. You have to go and I’m sure I won’t mind a little bit of healthy flirting!! xx
sammy summers
I adore the way you have written this! Such wonderful photos and memories xxxx
Bejal
sammy summersThankyou Sammy. Its a fab place and the memories are the best! xx
Lara Olivia
I have to reiterate the other comments here, I absolutely loved this post! Such a beautiful honest account of the real and massive impact that travel can have on the mind, heart and soul. Such experiences are worth every damn penny xx
Bejal
Lara OliviaThankyou Lara! Totally agree with you. Travelling is something you just cant put a price on for the memories and experiences it gives you xx
Rasha
Love this post! Peru looks amazing – the Machu Picchu photo you shared on Instagram is one of my favourite photos!
Bejal
RashaThankyou Rasha! Peru is so beautiful, I cannot stress it enough. That is also one of my favourite shots Rasha, I like to live a little on the edge!!!
Angie Silver
What a beautiful place and beautiful words!
Bejal
Angie SilverIts so beautiful Angie! I reckon it’s right up your street too!