Lima

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I arrived in Lima Saturday night, later than expected after customs and immigration. The taxi ride was scary (and I´m not unaccostomed to South American driving). Once we got to the coast I forgot about the lousy driving and was captivated by the view. There was enough moonlight to see the ocean waves rolling in. I stayed at the Hostal Torreblanca, which, for its price did not have the customer service that I expected. I didn´t discover until the next day that the price tag ($55) was not in the service, but the location. I also recommend having a rep from your hotel pick you up at the airport; taxis seem to be dangerous and the airport is not in the most beautiful of neighborhoods.
I was fearful of having to go exploring alone, but got over it immediately. Avenida Jose Pardo was glorious, with a paved walkway between the lanes of traffic. Trees, benches and rows of plants separated the pedestrians from the road. People were walking their dogs, jogging, and hanging out. It made me feel much more comfortable than dodging the beeping taxistas on the crumbling sidewalks of Quito. I found a safe-seeming ATM, got some soles and hit an internet cafe, made my calls home, checked my facebook and headed to the malecon. It was fabulous and I was amazed at how beautifully landscaped, well maintained and well utilized the area was. There were everything from playgrounds to bike paths to a mountain bike and skate park and new turf soccer fields. This area of the city of Lima is fabulous, I felt safe, enjoyed the food- a taqueria, and the malecon and recommend taking a day in Lima to check it out, no matter how much of a rush you are in to get to the highlands and Machu Picchu.
Later the same day I was on a flight, headed for the bellybutton of the world.

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Comments

[Lisa]

lisa & Buffie
Hey Trisha: Buffie and I will watch your travels. Hopefully you will be able to add sime pictures too. Be safe, God's protection, and have fun. Love from Tennessee.

[Janelle C.]

Lima blog
The blog about Lima was very interesting. Even though I haven’t been to South America, I feel that by reading your blog that I myself have actually traveled there. I also did some researching on the Internet about Lima, and it said that it has many beautiful beaches, did you vist any of them? It also said that from April to December there is a Melancholy garua, or a costal fog, did you experience this? I was also wondering if you only went to Avenida Jose Pardo and what your favorite part about it was? My last question is while you were traveling throughout South America where was your favorite place to go and why?

[ProfeWick]

Janelle
Great thoughts! I did not get to see a lot of Lima, but I did spend a whole day walking around. The beaches are fantastic according to my friends that live there, but I didn't get to spend time on them. I did pass by them in the taxi. I also really amazed at the thick fog that was there both times that I flew into and out of the city. There are beautiful islands right off the coast, but I could barely make them out through the fog. I think that of all of the places that I have seen, my absolute favorite would have to be visiting the hometown of my teacher and her parent's house in Paucartambo, Peru. It is a small town and the people there were so kind!