Lima

Spent the last few days in lima getting prepared for the rest of our trip. I got a new sim card for my cell phone, had it unlocked at some funky market, and then put minutes on it at the grocery store…it worked for one night and now is pretty worthless…the service provider is called movistar though…so that’s pretty dope. With the help of our friend Santiago we were able to get the rest of immunization shots at a fraction of price in it would have cost in America…so I would recommend that…exept now the effects of the shots are starting to kick in and spring and I feeling pretty sick…particularly spring who vomited three times last night and has been feeling dizzy, nauseous, feverish, achey, exhausted, and headachy…which is a total bummer but hopefully she’ll be feeling better soon.
We have managed to see some sights however since we arrived and lima is turning out to be a pretty awesome city. The weather is warm, there a lots of beautiful plants and gardens around, the architecture is very pleasing, and the streets are clean. Were staying in east lima which is basically suburbia, but have been all over town now to some really beautiful interesting areas. Miraflores is the wealthiest part of town on a scenic bluff overlooking the ocean and some islands. There are surfers in the water, a shopping mall built into the cliff side, gourmet restaurants, fashionable people, modern architecture, tennis clubs, and manicured parks with amazing trees and public art on display. It reminds me a bit of santa monica california, but less commercialized and more scenic…not at all what I was expecting from lima, peru which has a reputation of being a dirty shit hole.
Yesterday we were talked into taking a tour around lima on one of those double-decker tourist buses…it was pretty embarrassing at first but the high vantage point is great and it was quick a way to get an overview of the city. Downtown lima is particularly nice but congested with stunning European-esque architecture, beautiful plazas, and parks in many areas.
On the tour we stopped at the san Francisco cathedral to check out the catacombs that are filled with the bones of 25,000 people who thought they would ascend to heaven more quickly if they were buried under the church. The bones are distributed in multi-layer pits up to 10 meters deep and separated by bone types…skulls and leg bones were prominently displayed while other bones just seemed to be heaped throughout the narrow passage ways and low ceilings of the catacombs. In general, Christianity is a terrifying religion…and this place was a prime example…the remainder of the cathedral was filled with art depicting various forms of torture and suffering…not really sure what the draw has been to this religion over the years…but it sure doesn’t seem like a healthy one.

take off

Arrived in lima after three flights…left my parents in traverse city mi at 5:00am and transferred flights in Chicago and fort Lauderdale before the remaining six hour flight to lima. Left our jackets in traverse where it was 5 degrees…so the much warmer lima weather was very pleasant. The lima airport is very new and clean and was the mellowist international arrival ive ever had. Customs was a breeze and our bags arrived immediately. We stepped out and our new friend Santiago was there to greet us with his sister lily.
On first impression lima seems much cleaner and quieter than I had expected…aswell as more modern…with lots of shopping and fancy restaurants . we drove up along pleasant costal road along the pacific lined by arid bluffs topped with modern buildings and shopping centers. There was a huge glowing cross off to the north. The driving in lima is somewhere between india and Europe if that makes any sense…a bit treacherous but not out of control.
We arrived at santiago’s family’s home in a short while in an attractive neighborhood with many gardens and semi tropical plants. The house was much larger than I was expecting with a central courtyard and lovely backyard with two huge pet turtles. three stories worth of rooms house a good ten members of santiago’s immediate family including his sisters, parents, nephews which I think is common in Peruvian culture.
The night we arrived was one of santiago’s other sister’s birthday so there were a good twenty five people over celebrating whom we met immediately. They were all very sweet but it became immediately apparent that our Spanish is lacking severely. We did the best we could with introductions and made ourselves a simple dinner of quail eggs and bread before calling it an early night. Overall a long travel day but a very smooth arrival.

the beginning

leaving for peru in the morning...its january 8th...coming back may 26th...wish us luck...should be in lima by tomorrow night! pretty excited obviously...lots of preperation...ready to go! adious