Arrival in Lima, Peru
I decided not to teach classes this summer at the University so that I would have time to travel! I did some plane ticket scouting and found a great deal to Lima, Peru! Since Macchu Picchu is pretty much on everyone's dream list (including mind), I thought 25 days exploring Peru would be a fantastic trip.
I arrived in Lima around 6:30 pm and had a taxi pick-up from my hostel waiting for me (a sure sign I'm getting older and appreciate a few comforts!). The driver and I had a interesting and lively conversation in Spanish the whole ride there to Miraflores (1 hour, the trendy/nice area of the city) and I had to listen extra carefully to the new Peruvian accent. Just as I plunked my bag down, 2 Norwegian girls also arrived. We decided to grab a bite to eat together and wander around Parque Kennedy. We found a great sandwich place with some Peruvian meats and some fruit smoothies. I was a happy lady.
For my first full day in Lima, I decided to do a free walking tour (you tip at the end). There was a group of about 25 foreigners and we were led down the city center and central plaza, Plaza de Armas. Our guide gave us interesting information about the colonial buildings such as the government palace and the municipal palace, the Peruvian and Lima-n flags and more. Then we went to a handicraft market, where he explained the difference between baby alpaca and adult alpaca for those of us who would do some later shopping. We walked past a few churches and then finally ended the tour with a small tasting session of...pisco! Yep, pisco is THE liquor of Peru and we tried a pisco sour, pisco sour with maracuyá (passion fruit), the Peruvian version of Baileys, and a straight shot. I preferred the mixed varieties!
After the tour ended, a few of us wandered down to a really sad Chinatown. There is a large Chinese influence here in Peru, but Chinatown was pretty disappointing. We tried some "chifa" which is Peruvian and Chinese cuisines mixed together. I don't think I picked the best dish, but it was okay. Then, my small group of 5 wandered back towards the churches because they opened at 4pm. We checked out the beautiful Lima Cathedral and the monetary of San Francisco - both were very beautiful on the inside. One supposedly holds the remains of Francisco Pizarro (Spanish conquistador), but the authenticity has been questioned in recent years.
To return to Miraflores, we hailed a cab. I was in the front, and once again, I had a strange and lively conversation with the driver, who wanted to tell me about all the strange cuisine I could try in Peru! Once we arrived in Miraflores, we walked down to the cliffs by the water's edge. It was just sunset, and a lot of couples strolled about. Not a bad way to end the day!
I arrived in Lima around 6:30 pm and had a taxi pick-up from my hostel waiting for me (a sure sign I'm getting older and appreciate a few comforts!). The driver and I had a interesting and lively conversation in Spanish the whole ride there to Miraflores (1 hour, the trendy/nice area of the city) and I had to listen extra carefully to the new Peruvian accent. Just as I plunked my bag down, 2 Norwegian girls also arrived. We decided to grab a bite to eat together and wander around Parque Kennedy. We found a great sandwich place with some Peruvian meats and some fruit smoothies. I was a happy lady. 
For my first full day in Lima, I decided to do a free walking tour (you tip at the end). There was a group of about 25 foreigners and we were led down the city center and central plaza, Plaza de Armas. Our guide gave us interesting information about the colonial buildings such as the government palace and the municipal palace, the Peruvian and Lima-n flags and more. Then we went to a handicraft market, where he explained the difference between baby alpaca and adult alpaca for those of us who would do some later shopping. We walked past a few churches and then finally ended the tour with a small tasting session of...pisco! Yep, pisco is THE liquor of Peru and we tried a pisco sour, pisco sour with maracuyá (passion fruit), the Peruvian version of Baileys, and a straight shot. I preferred the mixed varieties!
After the tour ended, a few of us wandered down to a really sad Chinatown. There is a large Chinese influence here in Peru, but Chinatown was pretty disappointing. We tried some "chifa" which is Peruvian and Chinese cuisines mixed together. I don't think I picked the best dish, but it was okay. Then, my small group of 5 wandered back towards the churches because they opened at 4pm. We checked out the beautiful Lima Cathedral and the monetary of San Francisco - both were very beautiful on the inside. One supposedly holds the remains of Francisco Pizarro (Spanish conquistador), but the authenticity has been questioned in recent years. 
To return to Miraflores, we hailed a cab. I was in the front, and once again, I had a strange and lively conversation with the driver, who wanted to tell me about all the strange cuisine I could try in Peru! Once we arrived in Miraflores, we walked down to the cliffs by the water's edge. It was just sunset, and a lot of couples strolled about. Not a bad way to end the day!
That night, I joined two American guys for a stroll around town and dinner. I tried my first Lomo Saltado, a famous Peruvian dish, and it was so good! I also tried my first beers, which were okay. The Cuzqueño Dorada was my favorite. After dinner, the cold I had been fighting got the best of me and I went home to sleep.
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