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!!!

they stormed the city!

Hey...

I am still in Lima... thankfully! Still loving it here and with each minute that passes by I want to pour myself into its culture.

Today was an early morning start for us. We headed out for a little desayunos(breakfast) in the heart of downtown. Once we had had our cafe con leche we went walking again and got to the main square where the presidental palace is. As we looked around we could tell something was going to happen. There was riot police everywhere and there was a slight edge in the air. We waited around and were rewarded with a military band playing some really good tunes. It was big band meets salsa. It had such a nice kick to it, it caused people to dance in the street in front of swat police in full riot gear. It was really impressive and fun!

Our day continued with walking and a little bit of shopping for souvenirs. However due to a big conference going on and the arrival of the Chinese delegation the city was blocked off in a lot of areas and we were not able to move around as freely as we would have liked. However this allowed us to catch multiple regimens of the armed forces march and parade around the square. It felt like the entire army was there and we just kept snapping away(pictures are to come, but since I did not bring my laptop, you will have to wait to see!) When the parades stopped we finally were able to make our way back to Miraflores (look at the flowers!)

Once arrived we met up with Jorge, our most excellent of hosts, and went out for some sushi. It was sooooooooo good. It was a Japanese-Peruvian fusion and it knocked my socks off! From there we just walked around a little more, because our feet weren't totally chewed up yet, and headed down to the water to have a nice coffee and watch rich people pay too much money for things that they didn't really need. Aren't I a cynical bastard?

Now we are back home and I am blogging... One thing has stuck in my mind from today though. There were a couple of people begging today. I am sure there were more, but I did see about six or seven that really hit me and have caused me to think. It was always mother's with young children and it hurt so bad to see a child not have the same advantages that I have and that my 6 month old has. There is a sadness in their eyes that I cannot begin to explain. However, I turn away. I dont want to look at the reality of things dead on. I want to believe that the mother is not really that hard up and she is bringing her kids, or anybodies kids, with her to make me feel sorry for her... and I harden my heart, ignore her situation, distract myself with just about anything else. I am a cruel for having a granola bar and not giving it to her. I am a liar for pretending that she is not doing so poorly. I am a selfish prick to hold on to my change to get something for those who already have (mainly me). I am a hypocrite for writing a blog about how much I care for those who need it and not making any significant change in my life.

I still love this city even though it can show me for who I truly am.

Lively Lima!!!

So first day done and my feet are aching!

Lima has vaulted to one of the top positions of favorite cities. Its beyond impressive, surpasses gorgeous, supplants interesting... I cant say enough good things about it.

We started off our day taking a stroll in our neighborhood of La Molina before heading off on a crazy cab ride to Miraflores which is a very desirable place to be. The houses range from run of the mill to spectacular Spanish-villa style to condos that are perched on a cliff looking out on the beach below. We walked down the cliff, snapping photos along the way and when we got to bottom we are tempted into surfing lessons by a couple of the locals. "You can't experience Peru until you have surfed it!" was their claim and was tempted to believe them. There are still a couple days left to the trip... who knows. I might just have to go try it.

We climbed back up the hill in search of food and drink and found it at a little restaurant called "Las Pizzas Bar." We were treated to free pisco sours and were so taken with them that we quickly ordered another round at $10 a piece... (uno mas!!!) The waitress was wonderful (weally?) and the food was even better! hmmm... a pisco sour would so hit the spot right now! Once we got up from our beverages we were off exploring and taking pictures again. We walked to different parts of town and were continually blown away by the buildings and the attention to beauty and their desire to inject it into everything.

We made it back to the cliffs, but this time at a huge green park with "Peruvian crop circles" placed in the grass. The cliffs were awe inspiring and we were able to watch the sunset into the ocean. It was obviously very beautiful cause there were about a dozen couples just making out to it all. We kept walking and walking and walking... but we did cross the biggest and craziest public skate park I have ever seen. Not only was it a skate park but it had a huge dirtbike track... with jumps, kickers... the whole nine yards! We ended up eating and people watching on a busy street and after a strong coffee we hailed a cab and took the roller coaster ride back to our part-time home.

Amazing place people! Make your way out here!!!

Mathieu Picchu????

Ok, so I am making this one quick... as I possibly can.

I am currently on a mini vacation in Lima, Peru. I decided to go last minute with a friend of mine to somewhere I have never been before so I can scratch another country off my list. The flight over was very enjoyable with the exception of a couple bumps and the fact that the woman sitting in front of me decided to travel the entire flight with her seat pushed all the way back on my knees... yeah...

Peru is amazing. It is really a bustling metropolis where as a westerner you could get whatever you need. We arrived at the airport at around 10pm and it was a hub of activity. Non stop action. People greeting you and pointing you in the right direction. McDonalds, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Papa John were all waiting to treat you to the Peruvian experience! There are cell phones for rent, jewelry stories to splurge in, and Inka Cola to drink!

We are staying with someone i met through couch surfing and I am amazed at his place. I would definitely trade appartments in a heartbeat. He is very nice and accomodating and I know that this guy is a gold mine! I am very happy with our find!

So today I start my first full day in Peru... I am excited to explore and get out there! I hope to update on other days as we try and find a cheap way to get to Machu Pichu. Dont know if we will be able to...