Walking up the narrow, cobblestone streets of San Blas, Peru, a flicker of anxiety would rise every so often as cars navigated the same tight alleyways. At times, it felt like the side mirrors brushed past your skin, just two or three inches away. These were not streets where you could glance at your phone. If you were lucky, you’d make it to your destination without being honked at, or narrowly hit. 🤦🏼‍♀️
The roads bustled with Uber drivers whisking passengers across the city at a breakneck pace. Using Uber was definitely the way to get around Cusco. Rides rarely cost more than $2 or $3 USD. And with hardly any visible traffic police (at least, we never saw one), the driving was, to put it mildly, intense. Right in front of us, we nearly witnessed a massive bus slam into the side of a tiny car. Thankfully, everyone stopped within inches. Just a day or so later, we watched a man, woman, and little girl slide slowly into a wreck on the same street. Again, thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. The little girl was shaken but appeared physically okay. 🤗
So when we spotted a small sign tucked into a charming wall that suggested a warm, welcoming spot in this beautiful artistic town, we didn’t hesitate. We ducked inside and immediately knew we had found a gem. Cozy and stylish, the music flowed perfectly in the background. A pair of sweet dogs lounged nearby, and a kind young woman welcomed us with hot Coca tea. 🍵
The walls were covered in collages of old magazine pages. Vibrant, nostalgic, and effortlessly creative. I made a mental note to add it to the ever-growing list of project ideas on my phone: Idea: old magazine pages for the walls. I may need a whole other lifetime to complete all the creative ideas swirling in my head, but dreaming them up fills me with joy. 🤩
San Blas had a unique feel: artsy, relaxed, so colorful, and creative. Unlike some of the busier streets in Cusco where vendors are more assertive in trying to make a sale, this part of the city let the art speak for itself. There was a calmness here, a sense of flow. And as we sat in the café, sipping tea, everything felt in flow. There was no hurry. Just this one beautiful moment of stillness with my husband, wrapped in warm colors and gentle conversation. 💖
The wide blue door stood open, inviting the sun to cast a glow on the walls and furniture nestled inside. A gateway into the sounds of the street outside and the feeling of a soft breeze gliding through the room. Then came the café owner’s little albino dog, white as snow with pale blue eyes, wearing a comfy pink sweater. She trotted in to say hello, utterly at ease, as if she’d never met a stranger. So many of the dogs here wandered the streets just like this one. They were calm, unbothered, and warmly curious about the people passing by. 🐕
And as always, I found myself wondering. What was her life like—the girl who made our tea? Did she live nearby? Had she grown up walking these same streets? Was this café her dream come true? Did she wake up excited each day? What was her story? 🦋
So many questions… and yet in that moment, I didn’t need the answers. Just sitting there, tea in hand, breeze on my face, dog at my feet, I was content to simply wonder. 🌺