A Rosy-Cheeked Toddler in Cusco
Next to the sunglasses stand at the entrance of the Mercado Central de San Pedro in Cusco, Peru, this little lady grabbed my legs, looked up at me and laughed. I bent down to attempt broken Spanish in toddler terms, and she smiled with crumbs all over her face as she reached toward me.
She pulled off my shades and pointed to my eyes, touching my eyebrows, nose and cheeks. Her grandfather said “Azul” – meaning she liked my blue eyes. She hugged me again and again until I was pulled away to explore the local goods.
But I couldn’t resist going back to gift her an impromptu rose I bought at the market, hoping it would make her grin again. Of course, she only wanted me to smell it and hug her, as her mom watched and encouraged.
So much of traveling may appear glamorous and action-packed, but truly, it’s the moments of simplicity and humanity that remind you of all the ways we are connected. And how very little we need to bring light to others, to pause and allow life to take you somewhere, if only for a moment.
And how important it is to love with all you have, much like this sweet girl I’ll surely never forget.
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