May 2019 – Page 2 – Dori’s Travel Adventures

After breakfast, we had time to relax before our group gathered to officially begin our tour. There were 13 of us with Pepe as our guide. One couple will join us tomorrow. Their flight was cancelled yesterday and were in route today. We started our meeting with a Pisco Sour toast; it is a classic Peruvian cocktail made with pisco brandy, syrup and lime juice. Pepe went over safety and ground rules for the group. He also shared some interesting facts about Peru and LIma.

Peru is the third largest country in South America. Of it’s thirty million people, one-third of the population lives in Lima. The country has three climate zones. Lima is on the coastal desert. There is also the highlands and jungle regions. Chili was part of Peru but broke away after an internal war in 1881.

After our meeting we walked to a local restaurant. On the way we saw two interesting murals.

This mural shows a man represents Peruvians’ feelings about mining, which has caused problems for Peru. On the man’s heart is a picture of a strip mine. Mining has now been privatized. The mining companies must pay taxes to the government. This has eliminated the corruption and greed that was rampant when the government officials managed the mines.

This mural is focused on coca leaves. The large native looming in the background is holding the coca leaves representing the use of coca as cocaine which is illegal everywhere else but in Peru. The smaller native in the foreground is holding three leaves represents the leaves used in their traditional ceremonies.

A few from our group bought some passion fruit which looks like an orange.

Pepe is showing us how to peel passion fruit.

A sweet gooey syrup with seeds like a pomegranate was in the center of the fruit. That’s the edible part.

After lunch we walked by the Central Park and then onto Huaca Publicana; it is a pyramid which was built by the Lima people who lived in the central Peruvian coast from 200AD- 700AD.

The pyramid was the ceremonial and administrative center for the LIma Culture. They ate shark meat and other vegetables and fruits. The Limas made deep pits to bury fish and other marine life to gain favor with their Gods during difficult times such as droughts.

After our tour of Huaca Publicana, I went back to our hotel with another couple. Pepe hailed us a taxi and off we went. What a wild ride! The traffic was terrible. At intersections without lights cars moved like they were playing chicken. I would have had a nervous breakdown driving here. I was relieved when we got back to our hotel unscathed. The taxi ride cost 11 soles including the tip. One sole exchanges for about 3.2 soles so it was under four dollars.

For dinner Pepe walked our group to El Punto Azulejo, which means “the blue dot” the symbol of the ocean. This was the same restaurant where i had the fish soup yesterday. Can you believe it? I ordered grilled octopus; I actually ate some of it. It was tender and grilled with flavorful seasonings. I did not like the idea of eating it’s suction cup legs. I now know that this was a once and done experience!

Some folks from our group walked to Mangos Restaurante which is famous for it’s churros. I tried plain ones which were doughy fritters coated with cinnamon sugar. I enjoyed these more than the octopus!

Walking back to our hotel, I was ready to work on my blog. What a great day! Stay tuned for more adventures in Lima tomorrow.

In Atlanta I met Beth and Jana, a mother and daughter team, from Colorado. I had briefly met Beth at breakfast in Iceland on our last day of our Scadinavian trip last fall. When she heard our next trip was to Peru, she was on board. That’s when husband Frank bowed out. Then Beth’s daughter opted in, so now I am the solo traveler with them. Beth’s husband was happy to stay home and golf as Frank was with his pickle ball.

Our hotel in the Miraflores District of Lima

Our first outing was to this archeological museum on the outskirts of Lima. A driver from the hotel took us there, waited for us, then took us back . Here they have found ruins of the Chimor and Inca Empires from the 1400-1500s. The Incas conquered the Chimor in 1470.

Here our guide is showing us their numeric system using knots on rope. Reminded me of a rope type of abacus. .

This door led to the area just for the chief and his family. I had to crouch to get through.

Interestingly the Chimor used ramps to get to different levels while the Incas used steps. They have only found female bones here, indicating that they use female sacrifices. In 2000 they found mummies at this sight but they were not on display at the museum.

Also there was a guinea pig area right outslde their kitchen. Cuy or guinea pig was a mainstay in Peruvian diets. I will never look at guinea pigs in the same way again!

On the way back to our hotel we saw some interesting sights.

Motorcycles often have very interesting cargo.

Lunch was next. We went to a local favorite,

I had Chupe de Pescado or fish soup. It was fish in its own broth with cheese, pumpkin pieces, Lima beans and corn. It is a traditional Peruvian dish. It was tasty but “not the greatest”. Beth and Jana tried raw fish. I did NOT take a sampling.

After we returned from lunch we met Pepe, our tour in the hotel lobby. He invited us to join him along with another couple from our group for supper at 6. So after a rest break, we headed to Kennedy Square with Pepe to Cafe de la Paz.

Chicken empanadas. They were doughy, but tasty.

There was a market area in the center of the square. Of course Beth, Jana and I had fun checking out the wares. It was crowded maybe because it was May 1st, a holiday in Peru similar to our Labor Day.

It was now about 8. The lighting made the area even more festive.

Beth, with the hat, and Jana on the right deciding on a bracelet. All of 10 sole which is about 3 dollars.

Walking back to our hotel we spotted a group of cats relaxing in the square. Can you imagine a hoard of cats in New York City?

I was exhausted but happy about our first day in Lima. Can’t wait to meet the rest of our tour group tomorrow at 11. That’s it for today!

Month: May 2019

Day 2 in Lima, Peru: 2.2,19

Lima, Peru: 5.1.19