Youth Voices: Dear Lima...A Farewell
Dear Lima,
Here we are. Two months later. As I sit in my blog writing spot for the final time, I feel as if I am drifting through a dream, but I NEED this experience to be more than that. I want to hold onto you, Lima, with the same vivid clarity that I cherish the most significant moments of my life. With a bittersweet heart, I bid you farewell, for you have gifted me with extraordinary people and memories that have touched my soul in ways I never expected.
From the moment I arrived, I was enveloped in the warmth and charm of every corner of your city. As I wrote in my first blog, “I’m awash with a sense of anticipation and wonder, as if I’m about to embark on an enchanting journey through the canvas of your existence.” Little did I know just how enchanting this journey would be.
The International Potato Center (CIP) has become a second home to me. Each morning, as I walked through its doors, I was filled with eagerness for the day ahead. The hospitality I experienced there was nothing short of spectacular. I was deeply inspired by the dedication and passion of the people I met; their fervor for their work was a powerful reminder of the importance of loving what you do. I realized that passion will always outweigh the need for perfection. The outcome of any endeavor depends on how deeply you care about it. I could spend hours perfecting my cello technique at home, but without genuine passion, the music would fall flat. I could spend hours studying for a test, but unless I care about the content, I will not achieve the desired outcome. I could spend hours writing, but unless I let my emotions seep through, my words will be stale. At CIP, I learned that it’s the love for what you do that breathes life into your work and drives you forward...[CONTINUE READING]