Flying Solo

 Zachary Freeman: 

    True independence can be a scary thing, especially for a nineteen-year-old kid who agreed to go spend his summer in Peru. But what exactly constitutes true independence? This past year I have often found myself reflecting on the effects of new experiences and situational shifts in my life. Starting college is a huge cultural shift and  while my first year at Creighton enabled me to find freedom outside of the house, I am not sure that I would describe it as something completely independent.  I was fortunate enough to be able to first go to Peru in the summer of 2021 on an organized high school trip for about 12 days. While I had an amazing time filled with tons of good memories, this was not really an independent experience. However, upon reflection I can say that  making the decision to come back to Peru for an entire summer as a companion for the Quispicanchi Project has been my first step in exploring the two-sided coin of the struggles and power of true independence.

    After about thirty minutes after settling into the volunteer house and sitting with my fellow companions, it really hit me that we have the power to make this house our own, and this was my first taste of independence. During our time here, I am slowly understanding that independence and self growth are multi-layered concepts. I have been living with six other people in the house, and being able to positively contribute to the well being of the house and the other volunteers has taught me that there is power in group independence. One of my favorite parts of the day is trying to answer the age-old question of, “What are we doing for dinner tonight?” This little aspect of independence worried me the most every day leading up to the trip. For those of you who don’t know, I am considered to be a very picky eater by a lot of my friends and family and could only think of about two meals we could make for the fifty days we would be spending here. From this silly worry I was met with thoughtful and helpful housemates that opened my eyes in the kitchen, and soon gave me the confidence and independence of cooking our weekly Monday meal grilled cheese and tomatoes soup, a house favorite in my opinion. Even though this might is a simple example, it is indicative of the little things that have helped shift my definition of independence.
    

    I cherish the small moments of independence I get around the house and in the city of Andayahillas which can include walking at night to get some candy realizing that there is no bedtime for us and deciding to stay up just a little longer to talk or play games. Living “on my own” in the company of others has allowed me to explore a different kind of independence, one that feels a little more adult-like, but has also allowed me to be open to new experiences and best of all being able to cook a kick ass meal for the rest of my life. Again, it’s a two-sided coin. I'm learning that to be independent and take on adult-like tasks like working in the school and cooking doesn't mean that you have to lose your inner child. 

    I was once again met with a challenge of independence when I first walked through the doors of the San Antonio school for special needs students. My school is in the next town over called Huaro, which is about a five-minute taxi ride from Andayahillas. I can remember waking up and walking down to the highway to flag down a taxi all alone for the first time, and for someone whose Spanish was sub-par, heading to a new town was very nerve-wracking. There was no one there to help guide me and tell me if what I was doing was right or wrong every step of the way, I was on my own, and quite frankly a little scared. Thankfully, I successfully made it to the school and was generously greeted by the principal Profe Luz and her twelve other teachers who all do not speak a lick of English. The first day was internally awkward as I felt out of place, unable to communicate with the teachers and students. We finished the day with a group lunch, where I was in the middle of constant cross table conversations unable to understand. However, I realized that these feelings were simply all growing pains of being on my own in a foreign country, helping people I have never met, eating a cuisine that a younger me would never.  But, somehow I found myself on autopilot, pushing myself into the discomfort of this independence. 

Being alone doesn't mean you are lonely, I like to think it gives you room to find new parts of yourself. With some blind courage I decided to embrace this struggle of independence, and with each new day, I felt a little more comfortable being on my own. Embracing this independence has given me the power to participate in a traditional dance festival with my students, go over to Profe Luz’s house to make homemade cheese empanadas, and be in the school’s talent show! Once again, a small part of experience this summer aided me one my path to unlocking the power of independence. 

    From these moments, I can now say that my favorite part about Peru is my ability to be on my own, the thrill and excitement of calling a taxi to Huaro from the highway, interacting with students in Spanish learning a little more every day, and sharing a meal with an amazing group of teachers that make my day so special, even if I can’t always understand what the topic of conversation may be. I look forward to what this independence will bring me during the second half of my journey and am forever grateful for what it has already brought me.