roller coaster in the barillo...

So I experienced the most intense roller coaster ride in my life.

Today we got a later start to our day because we wanted to go to a photo exhibition downtown Lima which opened at 11am. So we headed out by cab as we have been for the past couple days. Our cab driver didn't seem to know where he was going. He had no idea actually. We took out our map and he stopped to ask directions 3 times. But we ended up going through the worst part of town. Our host had specifically recommended to stay away from that area without a group of locals being our bodyguards.

We did not go the usual way to get into town and we quickly realized we were going through the poor of the poor. It was fascinating and eye opening to go through there. To see how the rest of the city lives was sobering and soon became scary. All of a sudden the tension just shot through the roof. Our cab driver started getting jittery and kept looking over his shoulder. I felt like i was in a spy movie and we were being followed. We knew the seriousness of the situation but still wanted to push the envelope and take pictures. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and these pics had to be taken! This being said, I was not so quick to pull up the camera and snap away. The stress was palpable... the driver rolled up the windows and told us to put away the cameras. He was worried about us, but more importantly about him and his car.

It was a very surreal experience. We felt privielged to view a part of Lima that screams reality and a side that most people don't see. There was a little excitement to be doing something different and dangerous. However, our logic kicks in a now we want to get out. We notice that we are being noticed!!!! The car is bouncing all over the road due to potholes and craters. The driver is tense and the traffic is hemming us in. We were actually bumped a couple times by other cars. With the windows rolled up the heat is now oppressive. We are following a bus who's exhaust is black and toxic. I can't tell you how nervous I was. The first chance we get we are out of that car and heading to a "safe zone."

I am glad to have made it out and really happy that Lima is safe!!!