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Published: December 31st 2009
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Chuck & Leila
Magical Curcuit of the Water Peru!
A few years back Chuck’s daughter, Angela, met and fell in love with Miguel, who is from Peru. Angela and Miguel were married and now live in Minnesota. Because it is terribly difficult for people to enter the United States, Miguel’s family could not attend the wedding of Angela and Miguel. So, Chuck and I travelled with Miguel and Angela to Peru to celebrate their marriage with Miguel’s family and, of course, tour the country.
We arrived to Lima at 11:00 the night of December 27th. We were greeted by some of Miguel’s family, who then drove us to the hotel where we would stay while in Lima. We stayed at Hotel Las Palmas in the Municipality of Mira Flores. The hotel charges $35 per night for a comfortable room with hot water, free internet, bar and restaurant, within walking distance to the ocean, shops, restaurants, parks, and public transportation.
Our first night we went for food and drinks with Angel, Miguel, and two of Miguel’s brothers and their wives. We shared a dish called lomo saltado (chicken, potatoes, onions and tomatoes in a sauce typical of Peru) and pitchers of sangria; very good. It was
very nice to become acquainted with some of Miguel’s family, who are all friendly and welcoming; as if they had known us all their lives.
On the 28th Chuck and I went to the Monastery of San Francisco, built during the 1600s. The exterior was baroque in style while the interior featured many Moorish characteristics. There were many pictures and murals dating to the 1600s, intricate wood carvings, catacombs, misericords (choir benches), and a library filled with books also dating to the 1600s.
Next we went to the Gold Museum, which houses an enormous collection of gold pieces dating from the modern era to pre-Columbian times as well as an equally immense collection of weaponry from across the globe.
The next day we visited the National Museum and the Anthropology Museum, both of which offered free admission the day we visited. The National Museum has on display collections of artifacts and antiquities from pre-Columbian Peruvian cultures, traditional dresses worn by Peruvian performers, and photographs which portrayed the terror and violence experienced by Peruvians between the years 1980 to 2000 because of ongoing conflicts between a communist based group called Sendero Luminoso (shining path) and the
National Museum
Photography Exhibiton of Sendero Luminoso Peruvian government. The photography exhibit was profoundly personal, graphic, heart wrenching, thought provoking, humbling, and enlightening.
Next, Chuck and I went to the Museum of Anthropology. This museum was in Pueblo Libre in a restored colonial building. The museum featured a chronological display of pottery, carved stones, gold pieces, and textiles from Indigenous Peruvian culture groups as well as a collection of colonial paintings and antiquities.
While taking in the places and spaces of Lima, Chuck and I spent time antiquing, walking through parks, shopping, and sampling local cuisine. For some reason, I cannot say why, the Peruvians love the color yellow, especially for their underwear. There were kiosks on nearly every corner that sold the usual items (gum, cigarettes, calling cards) and also yellow underwear!?!?! We also celebrated Angela’s birthday at a karaoke bar near our hotel, where I slaughtered my first Spanish song (will stick to American songs from now on, much less humiliating)!
On the 30th we made arrangements to travel to Cajamarca and Chiclayo in the north of Peru between January 2 and the 8th, when we will go back to Lima to meet Chuck’s sister, Marmie, for Angela and Miguel’s
Anthropology Museum
Quipus (ancient writing system) party on the 9th. The evening of December 30th we went to one of the city parks where there were lighted trees and water fountains with music playing in the background. Some of the fountains were like tunnels to walk through, some turned off and on and allowed the people to play between rows of spraying water, others more traditional, but all were truly spectacular (far better than the Bellagio in Las Vegas)!!
We will spend New Years Eve and Day with Miguel’s family. I am very excited to bring in the New Year and become acquainted with Miguel’s family. I have been told we will eat grapes under the table, pass many drinks, and prepare an effigy to set ablaze to get rid of our bad juju on New Years Eve. New Years Day, weather permitting, we will spend the day at the beach. Seriously excited to partake in all of the coming festivities!
Will post another blog as soon as possible, until then, Prospero Ano a todos!
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wayne rixmann
non-member comment
Happpy New Year
I would like to wish you and you extended family a happy New Year. While you don't mention the weather there, the pictures suggest you are probably missing Minnesotas clouds and minus zero tempatures. Have a great trip I will see you in the spring.