Ancon: Giving in to the Freedom of Feeling Powerless

by Megan Eileen McDonough | 2009

It was my last day in South America and I planned on making it a memorable one. Some family friends had arranged for me to spend the day with their Peruvian relatives in Ancon, a beach just outside of Lima. At the airport I met Hector, the driver arranged to take me there. He was quite friendly, although I could barely communicate with him due to my embarrassing level of the Spanish language.

The drive from Lima to Ancon was incredibly scenic. Streets filled with the sounds of hustle and bustle of daily life. I enjoyed seeing a new city, even if I was just passing through. One could easily tell this was Peru's capital because it somehow seemed to demand attention. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, but the buildings, shops, and monuments exuded importance.

After about twenty minutes of driving and listening to American music, courtesy of Hector, I stole my first glance of Ancon beach. With hills in the distance, the blue ocean glittered as we drove down the winding road leading to the boardwalk. There I met Ricky and his sister, Daniella—the mysterious family friends of mine, whom I had never met before. I learned that they were around my age and had lived in both Miami and Los Angeles for several years before returning to their home in Lima.

They invited me to their Beach & Yacht Club, and upon entering the doors, I simultaneously stepped into a world of extravagance I rarely visit. There was a large pool, a stocked bar and restaurant, and white lawn chairs for tanning. Looking around, beauty covered every inch of space. Not only was the club modern and stylish, but the people were as well. Suddenly my pale skin no longer felt exotic but horribly out of place.

I then decided to walk along the boardwalk, which led me to where the local Peruvians swam. Even without the luxury of belonging to a yacht club, they enjoyed themselves nonetheless. They had built little straw huts shielding them from the sun while they played in the water.

The highlight of the day came when it was time to go sailing. I've been on my share of boat rides, but never anything quite so glamorous. As we departed the dock I lay on the outside lounge area, feeling a bit like "P. Diddy" in a rap video.

I cannot fully describe the feeling of being so close to the water, lying on a cushioned surface, and staring up at nothing but sky and mountains. I never before associated beach with mountains, but that is exactly what lay before me. All the elements had come together: earth, wind, water, and the fiery sun.

At one point, the captain dropped the anchor, allowing us to jump in the water. I had seen people do this in movies, and now here I was, taking the plunge into the Peruvian waters of the unknown. I had to remind myself that while it was summer today, it would be winter for me tomorrow back in New York City.

The water was warm as the gentle waves flowed over my body. The only hindrance was a large group of incredibly intimidating jellyfish lurking nearby. Not being able to spot their exact location from the water, the other swimmers and I casually floated one way or the other. When the coast was clear, I made my way back to the safe boat, where a traditional Peruvian dinner was then served.

As the anchor raised, we began sailing back to shore. By now, hundreds of these five-foot-long jellyfish began filling the water, making their overbearing presence known. The mass of color they created as a whole seemed never-ending. Before returning to the beach, I looked up and saw a Pelican dive for fish. It was unbelievable how quickly he plunged into the water.

Heading back to the apartment to pack my bags for the airport, Daniella and I took an alternative mode of transportation: a bicycle in which the carriage is in front and the driver behind. It is strange feeling no control, yet thinking you should because you are in the steering position.

The world in which I live values control because it equals power, and often leads to success. Ancon shattered that image for me, and for those few hours I thought of nothing but the present moment. Just for today, I rejoiced in the freedom of feeling powerless.

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