Greetings fellow latitudes students and other readers! I am Maddy Karsten from Michigan, and I was a part of the Nkula East Africa fall semester! After much deliberation, I decided to go to Cusco, Peru for my FVP and live and work at the Healing House- a holistic living community that offers yoga and meditation classes all day long. I have been here just over two weeks. To be honest, I had a difficult transition coming here. I really realized how different it is to travel alone! However the people here have been so wonderful, and I actully am living with two other latitudes students who chose the same FVP so their moral support has been wonderful. After these two weeks, I really feel like I am getting into the swing of things. I am involved in several different things here that I am really enjoying. I work the front door shift three times a week- checking people into classes and such, I work with a raw foods chef here helping cook daily lunch and learning more about nutrition, and every Saturday I do art with kids on the street for a few hours. I am going to start working at a local orphanage once a week, and continuing to explore cusco! What is unique about the healing house, is that they are trying to run less like a hostel, and more like an intention living community. So, the minimum stay here is one week, and you have to fill out an intentional stay form. This really creates the community feel, and has allowed me to meet and get to know some really cool people. Overall I am enjoying my FVP, and figuring out how to be more independent. Cusco is an amazing place, and there is definitely unique energy to it. Starting on April 20, I will be participating in a 20 day yoga certification course which will allow me to teach in the states! I'm over the moon about that. The Healing House is a really special place and I recommend it to anyone thinking about an FVP or if you're looking for a place to stay in cusco! My gap year has been a really special experience, and I can't wait to see what these next 8 weeks have in store for me as well. Thank you Carpe Diem, thank you Nkula, thank you Cusco!
