Diary of a Servas

Diary of a Servas

January 2004, Cajamarca, Peru

Very early in the morning, my mother wakes me up to prepare for some visitors arriving soon. She mentions that they are from Canada, a place I hadn’t realized existed beyond Peru. When I meet them, I notice they are quite different—with their yellow hair and lighter skin. I can barely understand their Spanish, which sounds amusingly strange to me. They are my mother’s new friends, staying with us for a while, and I wonder how she met them.

A week later, I see them packing. My mother tells me it’s time for them to leave. I invite them to return next week, but they must go to Lima instead. I will miss them dearly. I wonder if I could buy a bus ticket to visit them in Canada someday.

March 2008, Lima, Peru

I have been in my new school for two years now and have made many friends. After swimming practice, my mom tells me that a French family is coming to visit as part of a program called SERVAS. I don’t fully understand, but that’s how I meet Laura and Julia, who are awesome. I lend them my school uniform so we can attend classes together. The younger sister helps me immensely with my French studies, and everyone approaches us, excited to chat. Soon, we’ll go to swimming lessons together.

My new friends prepare deliciously unusual crêpes. I usually eat them with pudding, but they sprinkle sugar on some and fill others with mushrooms and white sauce, introducing me to unique (and weird) recipes!

It’s always bittersweet to see them packing their bags; their departure fills me with sadness. I don’t know when I’ll see them again, but now I have a place to stay in France. It’s across the ocean, and at eight years old, the thought of flying feels daunting.

October 2024, Bordeaux, France

I have been in France for seven months as a volunteer, welcoming travelers into my home—just as my family has done for 20 years. Now, I’ve decided to become one of those adventurous souls myself.

During my travels, I’ve met many SERVAS members with captivating stories—some uplifting, others challenging—but all rich with meaning. Along the way, I’ve connected with fellow hosts who welcomed strangers into their lives, transforming them into cherished friends and even family.

Through this journey, I’ve realized that SERVAS feels like home. It offers a chance to shake hands with a stranger and turn a blank page into a compelling story. Some might call us crazy, and perhaps we are, but there’s nothing more profound than embracing connection and recognizing that every traveler carries a universe of stories and lessons.

I will miss all my “locos” and “locas,” but soon I’ll return to Peru, knowing that the ocean is no longer vast and that I’ve built bridges to reach my family across the Atlantic.