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Published: August 9th 2010
Hello Chicos!
Finally, access to the internet (and a very confusing keyboard).
We arrived safe and sound in Lima, Peru on tuesday after almost being unable to catch our last flight that had been overbooked.
We spent the day exploring the city of Lima. Visitng the catacombs and wandering around the the main square. The fusion of culture throughout Peru is so apparent. Vibrant native traditions and colours synchronize themselves with colonial spanish arechitecture.
We have been travelling down the coast of Peru and have already encountered a few adventures. Probably the biggest adrenaline rush so far was our day spent sand buggying. In Huacachina, a town smack dab in the desert, we were strapped in to moving contraptions while our driver zoomed over enourmous sand dunes. Screaming is unavoidable. We both got mouthfuls of sand. To add to the excitement, we were also given boards to throw ourselves onto and race down the mountains of sand. A few bruises later, it has been concluded that sand buggying/boarding definitely is in competition to claim the title of world´s best untraditional rollercoaster.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the town nestled amid the desert. Huacachina is a literal oasis. Pools of water, vegetation and tropical flowers are the cosmetics to a little village surrounded by desolation.
We´ve tried lots of Pisco Sours- the local Peruvian drink. Gastromical adventures have included Ceveche - the local seaside dish. A mound of raw fish marinated in lime and topped with a bunch of onions and surprisingly delicious. We´ve been trying the most popular local dishes in each town and, today, sampled alpaca.
We´ve been told as we climb higher in to the mountains that guinea Pig as a dish will become more prevelant. We´re not sure if we can bring ourselves to eat awhole guinea pig (you actually choose the one you want before they kill it!!!) but we will definitely try a bite. Yesterday evening we attended a meal ceremony with the locals. They cooked our food underground on hot rocks. Potatoes, cheese, tamales and chicken were all wrapped in banana leaves and burried. After digging up our dinner, we all enjoyed a feast!
We went to an archeaoligical site and saw some mummies...whose hair is still intact...and today in Arequipa went to Santa Carolina convent. Built in th 1500s, nuns still inhabit the massive nunnery.
Arequipa is beautiful. It is built out of volcanic rock and the whole city dazzles white in the sun. We are currently at 2000m above sea level and both felt reprecussions of the altitude ascent today. We have been drinking tons of water and coca tea - the local remedy- along with taking some acclimitization medication.
Tomorrow we visit Colca Canyon which is located at 6000m - the deepest canyon in the world and will do some white water rafting, hiking and swimming in the hot springs.
We are veritable giants here. Everyone is extremely short! The most popular soft drink is...Inca Kola which tastes like bottled bubblegum. Hmmm...what other tidbits of experience have we had?
This country is beautiful. The colours and textures are delightful. The people are very kind. The food is new and exciting. What an adventure.
Graçias mes amores,
S n L
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Huacachina
Gail Sherman
non-member comment
Wonderful!!
Great to hear from you - I have been wondering how you have been faring. Sounds like a great experience so far. Dad and I experienced the food cooked underground in New Zealand (the Maoris) and I have also eaten zeabra. So enjoy the Alpaca and (yuk) guinea pig. Love you. Mom Sherman