This day began for me at 12:15 am when we boarded the plane from LAX. I was fortunate to find myself in a window seat sitting next to a 23 year old Brazilian electrical engineer who was on his way home from schooling at Waterloo. João was such a treat; so smart, funny and engaging that the time flew by quickly and not much sleep was had before it was morning and we were doing the countdown to landing in Lima.
I must say that except for the incredible lack of legroom (and that is saying a lot coming from short me) LAN is a fantastic airline. Two great meals, free beverages, high tech TV/video game players in the back of every seat, friendly staff and even an outlet to charge phones etc between the seats. I enjoyed the fact that I was given Spanish forms to complete for Customs.
- We’ve landed in Lima
We aren’t in Canada any more!
Walter, our Gdriver was amazing as he wound his way through crazy, no I mean insane traffic due to a huge music festival that was occurring along our route. The route did take us through a variety of neighbourhoods and along the beach which seemed to be under construction to our hotel Antigua Milaflores. We were met with seeming surprise as there did not seem to be a booking in place for our early arrival. The ladies at the desk quickly found us lovely room s and we settled in. C-A and I have room 313, and everyone laughed as I am digging the 13s on this trip..
We all cleaned up and changed and met in the lobby where Dave finally joined us. He had been working in Toronto and flew down from there. Much discussion was had over beverages about what to do with our day and a half before the tour officially started. A call was made and we set up two private tours, one for tonight and one for Sunday. I had struck up a conversation with a man in the lobby bar over Pisco Sours (my new fave) and he gave great local advice as he works in Lima and stays here often.
It was his idea we should go to Caral which we are doing tomorrow and he told us all about tipping etc. Apparently the locals do not expect tips but if you have great service you should but no more than 10% and never tip a cabbie as they already pad the price.
R had wanted to fly over the Nazca Lines but the guy at the bar said we would enjoy tomorrows trip much more and it would cost much less.
Once we decided where we were going and paid the operator (who smelled really good, btw) we left on foot to see John F Kennedy Park having been told we could find money changers and artists there. It was true. There are people on the streets in blue vests with city emblems and carrying licenses who simply change your US for Sols or break down the big bills. Seemed sketchy but that is what the guy at the bar told us to do. The park was like a stretch of the Saturday market on Salt Spring with jewelrey and knit/woven articles, etc as well as a huge section of painters and their work for sale. As well there was an art installation of humourous paintings about saving electricity. On the walk back, just past the Starbucks where CA found her local mugs, W & I were discussing how much fun it was to travel in a group of 6. We were caustious but fearless and having fun, interacting often with the locals as well.
I had read about a water park and really wanted to go there. We arranged a private driver, Evil (SP) and van to take us to the park, and a guide, Fernando to lead us around. It was so wonderful! Turns out it is the largest in the world according Guiness complete with laser show,, interactive displays etc all in the middle of a capital city in a desert which gets 2 inches of rain per year! Oh and it had exactly ….13 displays!
From there we were brought to The Doma Juana restaurant where there was a huge buffet of strange and wonderful foods and a floor show of traditional dances and entertainment. I have an allergy to bell peppers and that made the evening more of a Russian roulette at the buffet table. My favorite was the maize dessert which was similar to tapioca and pudding mixed together.
triumphgal 