Last flight out of Cusco on April 3rd we were told. You better get on it or you will be in Peru indefinitely. This is what we were emailed by the US Embassy on April 1st. Problem was, we were in quarantine and the country was under martial law… No one in or out except by way of the Embassy.
We had been on the Embassy repatriation list since March 22nd. Every day we waited for good news. Each day would come and go but still we were not assigned to a flight. We also had no promise that we would be. They were telling us what areas they were focusing on and ours was not one of them. Nine days, an impending deadline and still no word on when we would be able to leave.
Regardless, our hopes were high. Everything inside us said we would be on that last flight on April 3rd. Despite the lack of evidence, our tiny group of 5 stayed focused on the possibilities. We all did our part. We wrote our State Congress and House Representatives, even the Trump administration. We reached out to anyone we could find that successfully flew out to find out how they got out. We talked to the local citizens who had a good pulse on what was happening in the country. Our spouses and family were doing what they could too.
Some officials ignored us and did not respond at all. Some officials were very responsive but they’re words were not always followed up by action. Some officials did what few others were willing to do and began demanding more information and hounding the Embassy to get us on the list. These were the few exceptional people who would not rest until they got us home.
At the same time, we had local Peruvian citizens who decided they too would do everything to help us. These amazing souls were stepping in and helping us every way they could. Whether it was calling around to find an open hotel, or making sure we had a driver to take us to Cusco or writing letters for us to get through police checkpoints, we saw them step in time and time again to help us out. They spent countless hours of their own time to support us in our time of need.
Pretty soon, things began lining up. We didn’t have everything we needed (confirmation to be on the flight for instance) but we knew we needed to quickly get to Cusco anyway. We needed to try. So, we took it one step at a time. Like Indiana Jones, we stepped before we could see the path. As we did so, the next step would light up. The pieces began to fall into place.
Sometimes it was calling as many hotels as we could hoping to find one that was open. The majority had closed due to the quarantine. Sometimes it was figuring out how to get to the airport because there were no taxis in Cusco, only public buses. Problem was, we had no map or schedule. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway, they were on a modified routine.
Sometimes it was finding food because the restaurants were all closed and many hotels weren’t serving. Sometimes it was calling ahead to see what documentation we needed to get through the checkpoints because many people were not getting through.
We were at the mercy of people and many of these people were struggling with their own problems. These lovely Peruvians were losing their employment. All of them worked in the tourist industry and there were very few tourists left. Hotels and taxis were shutting down.
A mother, with tears in her eyes, who hadn’t seen her young children in over two weeks helped us. A father whose wife and son were stuck in the United States helped us. Everyone’s lives were being affected. Everyone was struggling with hard news. Yet every one of them was willing to take care of us despite their own hardships.
Every step we took led to some new idea or new person to talk to. The right person, at the right time, with the right information who was willing to help us out amid their own struggles. Our hearts went out to all of them. We generously tipped wherever we could even though we were quickly running out of Peruvian Soles.
I had already run out of Soles and was now borrowing from someone else. We were on tight timeline and didn’t have time to look for an open bank, but we wanted to take care of these people who were generously taking care of us. They would be without an income for quite some time.
It was truly a miracle that we were able to get through all the obstacles. I felt the angels all around us, in the form of earth angels (these incredibly kind and generous people) and in the form of perfectly timed divine signs (phone calls, emails and verbal messages each arriving at the perfect times). I could sense our spirit guides all around us, whispering in our ears what to do next. I could feel them hovering over the police at all these the quarantine checkpoints. I knew with all my heart they were there and were helping us cocreate this adventure we would never forget.
After following the breadcrumbs that were laid for us all along the way. We were looking directly across the road at the front gate of the Cusco airport. We had made it! Just one problem. Although we were told at 2 pm we would be on the flight, we had no confirmation emails. No proof that what we heard by phone was true. It was dinner time and we were getting worried.
Nonetheless, we need to keep moving forward. Somehow it would all work out. We ate a delicious dinner cooked by our wonderful hostel owner. We managed to get a bottle of wine and toasted to our success so far. We looked back over our day laughed at some of our reactions. We played games with Katie (my 12-year-old daughter) and enjoyed each other’s company for one last night. As we finished up our meal, one of us took a look at our email. Finally! The confirmation emails were coming through. All of us officially had a seat on that last flight!
I will be forever grateful to all the people who helped us and supported along the way. Including those who were positive and encouraging (YOU were likely one of them). It was truly a magical experience (which by the way, was my goal for this trip).
Our group is starting to write a book about all that we learned in Peru. We hope that when it is done, you will consider buying a copy or two or three. We know this journey wasn’t just for us. It was meant to be shared with YOU. We have so many important and wonderful messages from the Sacred Valley of Peru that we want to share. All of this happened for a very important reason and we can’t wait to tell you why.
Meanwhile, stay in a space of faith and love during these highly unusual times. All of this is happening for a very necessary reason. It is after all, a very appropriate time for a reset, not just globally, but in our own lives.
Take this time to reflect on your life. Now is the time to bless and let go of whatever is no longer serving you. Let go of any limiting beliefs about yourself (my health isn’t good, I will never find that special someone, I will never be rich, I’m not good enough, etc.).
In terms of shame, anger, frustration or whatever you may be carrying around for some reason, it’s time to let it all go. These old burdens are weighing you down. Let these old stories and emotions go. Instead, claim your I AMs. I AM strong. I AM powerful. I AM abundant. I AM love. I am, that I am, that I am.
Own the truth of who you are for you were created in God’s image. You are God in Action. An extended expression of Source Energy who is experiencing life with you and through you. It’s time to own your truth so that you can expand into the highest expression of yourself. Only then can you truly be of service to others.
Know that I am here for you. Trust that you and I know each other for a reason. If you feel called to reach out to me, please do so. It’s time to become the change we wish to see in the world, one action at a time. I am here to help you do that.
From my heart to yours,
Danielle Isaac