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Published: September 3rd 2011
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I'm Here
Buenas dias from Lima. I'm sorry I didn't write yesterday,it was my first day in country and I had to meet with my landlord and meet Martin with the Maca company. I must be honest the trip and altitude change left me feeling a little out of sorts. Ian, my landlord (Ian is from Ohio) was kind enough to show me around. What an experience to hear only Spanish, I felt a different attitude. Lima is a big city, bristling with major traffic, sidewalks full of people and side walk cafe's. The temperature is very cool, it's winter here, high yesterday was 66 degrees. The dress is the same as US, with many looking as if they stepped out of Vogue. The grocery stores are fantastic, fresh produce, cuts of meat stacked up for you to pick you choice, food and salad bars you buy by weight. Everyone is more than willing to help, they all speak a few words of English and want to practice. If you have a problem with personal space, forget here, they stand close when talking with you and you must be aggressive in walking in crowds.
My apartment is in the hub
Miraflores out my window
another view out my window of Miraflores, a mini penthouse on the 17th floor with windows around two walls. I can see the ocean on one side and a sea of buildings on the other. I didn't take many photos yesterday, I have added a few here of views out my window, the Cafe (which means coffee in Spanish) and Kennedy park at night. What would have been good pictures didn't turn out because being at night and it was a mist of rain. It never really rains here, the humidity is extremely high and the rain is like a light mist. No one seemed to notice or care about the mist. The streets were lively and couples everywhere snuggled and gazing into each others eyes. Love was thick in the air. Quite refreshing. I'm out to the Cafe for some breakfast and meeting Martin for a tour. Hasta pronto
Second Day in Lima
I felt great today, slept a little late, talked to family and friends via magicjack and Skype. Good tip, buy magicjack and program before leaving country and you can use like your at home. Works great. The best $30 I've spent. I had breakfast at the Cafe, talked with Martin
Miraflores out my window
Kennedy park out my window and decided to get together tonight. We are going to an Indian folk dance. I walked about 12 blocks or so to the Indian market, fascinating handicrafts and art. I got a little lost coming back and had to pull out my Spanish books to get directions. I got back to the Cafe and had myself a Lucuma milk shake.
It's almost 8:30pm, time for Martin to get here. By the way Lima is same time as Birmingham.
Martin is Peruvian and goes by Peruvian time, he picked me up at 10:00 o'clock. It's the norm for Peruvians to be two hours late. My girlfriend would fit in nicely. We still had to pick up Martin's cousins husband, David. David is an American from Boston. Him and his wife also grow Maca in the highlands. We went to Brisas Del Titicaca to see Noches de Folklore, a professional dance group performing Peruvian ancestral dance from the highland and jungle. In between the audience also danced. David and I were the only non Peruvians there, this was not a tourist event. The show was spectacular, they perform only in Peru, it would be great to have them tour the
Cafe
The Cafe, serving food, coffee, beer and mixed drinks. USA. It was quiet an event and I didn't get to the apartment till three in the morning.
Sunday, a day of rest
Obviously I slept a little late this morning after dancing the night away. I had a continental breakfast at the cafe and went shopping for a few groceries at the Metro. Back at the apartment I had a sandwich and yogurt and decided to go to Barranco. This bohemian barrio (district) adjoins Miraflores to the south, a 15 minute taxi ride away. The architecture is old Spanish and sits on the sea, beautiful. I felt like I was stepping back into the 60's Haight Ashbury, San Francisco. Hippies everywhere, long hair, bare footed and the smell of something strange in the air. A groovy way to spend the afternoon. Of course the taxi ride was an experience unto its self. The taxi I took on the way back came a back way, I though I was in time warp, it looked exactly like parts of New Orleans. If you are thinking of taking a trip out of country, you should certainly consider Peru. I haven't even done the tourist thing yet and have enjoyed my stay
better than any trip I've taken. I could just hang out here in Lima and be perfectly content. This place is magical and the attitude of the residents is contagious.
Bus Tour In miraflores
I decided to come back to this blog on Lima to post my bus tour. You can catch a bus tour from Kennedy park to several locations ranging from one hour to an all day trip. I can see the crumbling pyramid in the middle of an upscale neighborhood out my window. I found that the one hour Double Decker bus tour went by it. This was yesterday Wednesday the 7th. My back hasn't been cooperating and I didn't want to walk, so bus tour, the cost was S/10.00 (less than $5.00). I met Carlos from Brazil waiting for tour, he lived in New Jersey for one year and spoke good English. It was good to have a interpreter and he had some good stories. As I said the tour was primarily to see the pyramid. The Adobe Pyramid Pucllana (Juliana) (Huaca Pucllana - Huaca Juliana)
The Archaeological Complex "Huaca Pucllana" was an Administrative and Ceremonial Center of the Lima Culture, a society that
Bus Tour Pyramid
Bus Tour Pyramid developed at the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD. Located in today's district of Miraflores the "Huaca Pucllana" was built around 500 AD. "Pucllana" is one of the most important ancient monuments in Lima. Located right in the middle of a modern residential area it is resisting the urban growth and reminding the LimeƱos every day about their archaeological patrimony. The complex consists of the archaeological ruins itself, a small site museum, an area for workshops, a small souvenir shop and a restaurant.
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Hailey
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fun times!
Looks like your having a blast!