Our very last day in Peru! What mixed feelings we have.... should we stay or should we go?
Bruce & I have had such a fascinating trip to this country. Each day of this trip presented itself with new adventures and learning - the places, the people, the politics, the culture, the history, the geography and the climate. Our heads of full of 'Peru"!
Packed up our belongings securely this morning, then tipped the staff at La Posada who were so kind and caring to us during our long stay. Most Peruvians's salaries are so low even though they work such long hours. The staff were always so pleasant to us.
Our desk clerk informed us that today was a religious holiday in Lima - it's Pope's Day, so many businesses remain closed, along with some museums. Unfortunately, because of this holiday, we are unable to say 'goodbye' to our friendly cook at the corner restaurant - someone who helped us so much during our time here!
We taxied to the Historical Centre of Lima again, where we wanted to spend our last few tourist hours. We visited the Cathedral, which was open due to a special Mass being held in honour of this day. The cathedral was packed. I thought I could show Bruce the fascinating statues and small chapels, but these were all closed up during the the Mass. We stayed for awhile, seeingl the bishops, and perhaps even the cardinal, sharing Mass at the altar in the front.
Then we wandered - stopping for coffee at a favourite little restaurant where we had gotten to know the staff, especially the 'touter' who coaxed visitors into his restaurant. He was a young fellow, with such an engaging smile, and to him, his job appeared to be just plain 'fun'. Most of the time, tourists and visitors did choose his restaurant, simply because this young man was enthusiastic, friendly and did an outstanding job of flirting with the ladies! Bruce and I often watched him performing, and we knew the people would return. How good is that!
Our friend Barry is a stamp collector, so we tried to visit the Philetelic Museum, but unfortunately, it was also closed due to the holiday. We tried to purchase stamps for him at another place, but no such luck. So, onward we went, looking at new spots, doing some people-watching, eating our last delicous Peruvian meal, visiting another church, with a remarkable altar and statues, admiring their Pachamama Mary once more!
Stopped for a coke break, then returned to our hotel to wait for our our taxi to the airport, (6:30 p.m.) and say our final goodbyes to the staff. We sat back and enjoyed our last drive through the city.
Bruce & I had no challenges at the airport whatsoever - we had thought our luggage would be well over the weight allowed, but it all went through - 4 heavy suitcases! Browsed around the airport for awhile, for I find these places fascinating! Stopped to eat, purchased a bottle of Pisco, Peru's national drink, at the Duty-Free, then boarded our plane at 9:45 p.m. Take-off for Toronto - 10:10 p.m.
Bruce & I were now happily on our way home. No more mixed feelings about leaving Peru - just so very glad that we had chosen to visit this country, seeing and doing all the interesting things that filled our lives for six wonderful weeks. Our memories of this country, the adventures we experienced, the wonderful people, and the friends we made along the way, will be with us forever!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
June 28 - Sunday - Lima
Treated ourselves to an easy, quiet day. It's Sunday, and the choice really is not in our hands, as most businesses are closed today. Sunday is a 'family day' in Peru. How nice this is, for most Peruvians work long, long hours during the week. There is no such thing as an official work week in this country!
Bruce and I ventured off to the private Gold & Arms Museum, located in an area quite a distance from our hotel. This museum has one of the best Inca gold collections we've seen so far. The displays included Inca tools and weapons, which we had not seen in any other museum.
Bruce browsed through the Arms Museum, housed on the main floor, while I just relaxed on a bench outside, and enjoyed the scenery.
A few house later, we taxied to Miraflores for our last lunch in this lovely, touristy suburb. We wandered, browsing all the time, then returned to La Posada.
Even the local restaurants close on Sundays! We had difficulty finding a restaurant open for a light dinner tonight, so after checking Rovegno's and the Clifford Hotel, Bruce & I decided to share a dish of Chicken Fried Rice - at the Chifa (Peruvian Chines Reastaurant) around the corner. Thank goodness it was open, otherwise, it was 'energy bars' for supper tonight!
Spent our last night in Peru reading, writing, and thinking about packing the next morning. This is it - we fly home tomorrow night at 10 p.m.!
Bruce and I ventured off to the private Gold & Arms Museum, located in an area quite a distance from our hotel. This museum has one of the best Inca gold collections we've seen so far. The displays included Inca tools and weapons, which we had not seen in any other museum.
Bruce browsed through the Arms Museum, housed on the main floor, while I just relaxed on a bench outside, and enjoyed the scenery.
A few house later, we taxied to Miraflores for our last lunch in this lovely, touristy suburb. We wandered, browsing all the time, then returned to La Posada.
Even the local restaurants close on Sundays! We had difficulty finding a restaurant open for a light dinner tonight, so after checking Rovegno's and the Clifford Hotel, Bruce & I decided to share a dish of Chicken Fried Rice - at the Chifa (Peruvian Chines Reastaurant) around the corner. Thank goodness it was open, otherwise, it was 'energy bars' for supper tonight!
Spent our last night in Peru reading, writing, and thinking about packing the next morning. This is it - we fly home tomorrow night at 10 p.m.!
Friday, July 17, 2009
June 27 - Saturday - Lima
Left our temporary 'overnight hotel' this morning. Bruce and I decided we needed a decent breakfast for a change, which means a North American one! So, we stopped at the Clifford Hotel, just a few doors down in our cul-de-sac, and ate! Fruit - bananas, pineapple, papaya, eggs, toast and real coffee! Our tummies were in heaven at last, as were our taste buds! Delicious - need I say more. We would have liked to stay at the Clifford, but over time, it was just a little too expensive. Next time, maybe?
As we were eating, seated at the next table beside us, was a professor from Charleston, S.C.
He chatted up a storm; we both enjoyed sharing our stories. He had just disembarked from the 'Samba', a small ship, touring the Galapagos Islands. What stories he had - what a marvelous experience! He certainly sold us on this trip... Bruce & I will get there soon! (Add this to our Bucket List!) The professor was then off to Cusco, so we were able to share some of our 'wonders' with him too.
Checked into La Posada once more, and this time, we were given a lovely, large room. Two more nights, and then we leave.... I'm anxious to get home, yet somewhat saddened to leave Peru. This has been a fabulous vacation - one of our best yet!
We went wandering again... touring the Museum de la Nacion. I would not recommend this visit even though the artifacts are interesting. The information provided by the guide was minimal, sort of a rote delivery in English. We could not ask questions because he appeared to not know the answers, or, perhaps his English was poor, and he could not respond to the question in our language. (We need to learn more Spanish, for I'm sure this would have helped us considerably - throughout the trip!) Still, we would have been dismayed had we not visited this Museum, as it came highly rated in the Lonely Planet Guide.
Taxied downtown (we taxi everywhere!) and enjoyed a nice lunch. We came upon a religious parade on the Plaza d'Armas. The main feature was a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lit with candles, carried like a coffin by 14 men, 7 placed on each side, older ladies shaking incense bells at the head of the parade, and a male band playing at the rear. A reception committee, women & men wearing colourful cloaks, was waiting for them in front of the cathedral.
Taxied back to La Posada & spent time catching up with our e-mails. Then, we returned to the fabulous water fountain display, Parque de la Reserva, enjoying the art of the various waterfall fountains. Delightful! We really enjoyed this diversion, and are thankful that the Peruvians have this right at their doorstep to enjoy. Families, teenagers, and tourists love it here!
Our weather in Lima is similar to Vancouver's weather in October. Grey, misty & cool. It is winter in Peru, and we dress accordingly. Still, we're thankful that it's nothing like the cold winters of Edmonton! We do get short sunny breaks though, especially when we travel inland a bit, even in this big city of Lima. It's quite warm during these times, so we take advantage of the heat by sitting outside, enjoying a coffee, tea or a glass of Peruvian beer - which is great!
As we were eating, seated at the next table beside us, was a professor from Charleston, S.C.
He chatted up a storm; we both enjoyed sharing our stories. He had just disembarked from the 'Samba', a small ship, touring the Galapagos Islands. What stories he had - what a marvelous experience! He certainly sold us on this trip... Bruce & I will get there soon! (Add this to our Bucket List!) The professor was then off to Cusco, so we were able to share some of our 'wonders' with him too.
Checked into La Posada once more, and this time, we were given a lovely, large room. Two more nights, and then we leave.... I'm anxious to get home, yet somewhat saddened to leave Peru. This has been a fabulous vacation - one of our best yet!
We went wandering again... touring the Museum de la Nacion. I would not recommend this visit even though the artifacts are interesting. The information provided by the guide was minimal, sort of a rote delivery in English. We could not ask questions because he appeared to not know the answers, or, perhaps his English was poor, and he could not respond to the question in our language. (We need to learn more Spanish, for I'm sure this would have helped us considerably - throughout the trip!) Still, we would have been dismayed had we not visited this Museum, as it came highly rated in the Lonely Planet Guide.
Taxied downtown (we taxi everywhere!) and enjoyed a nice lunch. We came upon a religious parade on the Plaza d'Armas. The main feature was a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lit with candles, carried like a coffin by 14 men, 7 placed on each side, older ladies shaking incense bells at the head of the parade, and a male band playing at the rear. A reception committee, women & men wearing colourful cloaks, was waiting for them in front of the cathedral.
Taxied back to La Posada & spent time catching up with our e-mails. Then, we returned to the fabulous water fountain display, Parque de la Reserva, enjoying the art of the various waterfall fountains. Delightful! We really enjoyed this diversion, and are thankful that the Peruvians have this right at their doorstep to enjoy. Families, teenagers, and tourists love it here!
Our weather in Lima is similar to Vancouver's weather in October. Grey, misty & cool. It is winter in Peru, and we dress accordingly. Still, we're thankful that it's nothing like the cold winters of Edmonton! We do get short sunny breaks though, especially when we travel inland a bit, even in this big city of Lima. It's quite warm during these times, so we take advantage of the heat by sitting outside, enjoying a coffee, tea or a glass of Peruvian beer - which is great!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
June 26 - Friday - Lima
Enjoyed breakfast again - coffee, rolls, jam! Thank goodness I can still eat, for I do want to keep on trying Peruvian foods while we are in this country!
With a hotel employee, I checked out our new room for the night. We have to leave La Posada, as they could not accommodate us, for this evening only. They have arranged for us to be staying at a 'pension' within the same little cul de sac.
Taxied to the Historical Center of Lima one more time, visiting the Central Bank Museum which houses an interesting collection of (more!) Inca and pre-Inca pottery, artifacts, stunning gold pieces, textiles, and some early tools. Visiting all these museums, is definitely helping us gain a deeper understanding of every day Peruvian culture, for all this information is so intertwined and intermixed. Peruvian history is so complex, much more so than our early North Americal historywith our native cultures.
Devoured a delicious lunch (again!), and of course, my tummy did talk to me about this. Too bad - so sad! We return to Canada, to 'normal' food, on the 29th - our last day in Peru.
Visited the San Francisco Church (Franciscan Order). The interior decor was white and rust coloured Moorish wall curlique designs, domes and ceilings; very different, yet attractive. We liked the Moorish artistic effect. Statues & altars are beautifully carved cedar, with the altars being floor to ceiling in height.
Returned to our new 'pension', which was a little larger than our room at La Posada.
Went out for a light dinner, read, wrote, and went to bed early. We need lots of energy for our touring tomorrow!
With a hotel employee, I checked out our new room for the night. We have to leave La Posada, as they could not accommodate us, for this evening only. They have arranged for us to be staying at a 'pension' within the same little cul de sac.
Taxied to the Historical Center of Lima one more time, visiting the Central Bank Museum which houses an interesting collection of (more!) Inca and pre-Inca pottery, artifacts, stunning gold pieces, textiles, and some early tools. Visiting all these museums, is definitely helping us gain a deeper understanding of every day Peruvian culture, for all this information is so intertwined and intermixed. Peruvian history is so complex, much more so than our early North Americal historywith our native cultures.
Devoured a delicious lunch (again!), and of course, my tummy did talk to me about this. Too bad - so sad! We return to Canada, to 'normal' food, on the 29th - our last day in Peru.
Visited the San Francisco Church (Franciscan Order). The interior decor was white and rust coloured Moorish wall curlique designs, domes and ceilings; very different, yet attractive. We liked the Moorish artistic effect. Statues & altars are beautifully carved cedar, with the altars being floor to ceiling in height.
Returned to our new 'pension', which was a little larger than our room at La Posada.
Went out for a light dinner, read, wrote, and went to bed early. We need lots of energy for our touring tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
June 25 - Thursday - Lima
Slept in this morning as we had no tours booked for the day! After showering, we visited a quaint little restaurant, just around the corner from our hotel, for breakfast. It's run by local nuns - but unfortunately, the breakfast was not much better than the one we're served at the hotel. Bread, jam, coffee & juice. Although... we had the most delicious fresh papaya juice, just blended up at a moment's notice. What a treat!
We took a taxi to visit the Archeological/Anthropological Museum in San Isidro - made a mistake giving the name of the museum to the taxi driver, so we ended up at a different museum, which was a newer one. This museum depicted the peoples of Peru through the pottery that was discovered in ruins or burial sites. The pottery dated back to the years 'Before Christ', through the various Inca reigns. It was very rich is shapes, designs, details and drawings. Very finely done indeed! Through the guide's explanations, we learned a great deal about the original peoples who inhabited Peru through the ages, up to the time of the Spanish conquest (1531AD). This museum, with its varied and vast selection of artifacts, captured a lot of what we have seen & learned since our arrival in Peru. The 2-hr tour was impressive!
Then, we taxied to Chinatown, seeing once more a chaotic mixture of colour, open & closed markets of all sorts, great restaurants, and people galore. As 'white' tourists, Bruce and I stood out like a sore thumb! We ate at the restaurant recommended by our taxi driver, and devoured a delicous won-ton soup, with some very oily spring rolls. My tummy did not enjoy this one bit, but the scenery and the food was worth the trip.
Browsed around for a bit, then returned to the hotel for a quiet evening.
(Lima will long be remembered for the heavy deisel fumes we have to breathe in on a daily basis, and the world's craziest drivers!)
We took a taxi to visit the Archeological/Anthropological Museum in San Isidro - made a mistake giving the name of the museum to the taxi driver, so we ended up at a different museum, which was a newer one. This museum depicted the peoples of Peru through the pottery that was discovered in ruins or burial sites. The pottery dated back to the years 'Before Christ', through the various Inca reigns. It was very rich is shapes, designs, details and drawings. Very finely done indeed! Through the guide's explanations, we learned a great deal about the original peoples who inhabited Peru through the ages, up to the time of the Spanish conquest (1531AD). This museum, with its varied and vast selection of artifacts, captured a lot of what we have seen & learned since our arrival in Peru. The 2-hr tour was impressive!
Then, we taxied to Chinatown, seeing once more a chaotic mixture of colour, open & closed markets of all sorts, great restaurants, and people galore. As 'white' tourists, Bruce and I stood out like a sore thumb! We ate at the restaurant recommended by our taxi driver, and devoured a delicous won-ton soup, with some very oily spring rolls. My tummy did not enjoy this one bit, but the scenery and the food was worth the trip.
Browsed around for a bit, then returned to the hotel for a quiet evening.
(Lima will long be remembered for the heavy deisel fumes we have to breathe in on a daily basis, and the world's craziest drivers!)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
June 24 - Wednesday - Lima
Simple breakfasts again - white rolls, jam, juice & coffee. Because we are now in 'high' season tourist-speaking, breakfast comes with the price of the room. Thank goodness!
Made arrangements to go on a Lima City Tour. We were picked up by a Lima-Vision van, and driven to Miraflores, a posh area of Lima. 30 of us were on the tour, in a large bus. (Bruce & I hate this sort of tour, but we will persevere!)
Drove briefly through the Miraflores and the San Isidro areas - both posh suburb areas, considered the upper middle class areas of Lima. We were instructed to observe the attractive Spanish-style homes. Frankly, there was not much else to see.
Miraflores is the 'hotel' district of Lima, so it also has restaurant and shops for tourists, unlike the area we are staying in. As most districts of Lima are considered working class or poor, these posh neighbourhoods are the highlights of city tours. Shanty-towns exist on the outskirts of the city, in all directions. We've seen these shanty-towns before, on our bus trip toParacas; Bruce and I were shocked at the living conditions of the people. Nothing but mud-adobe brick walled rooms, 8x10 perhaps, oftentimes without roof-tops, with no plumbing or electricity to speak of. Terrible...
Our tour took is to the centre of Lima, through areas that we are already familiar with. The cedar balconies of the main buildings and the colonial architecture were emphasized.
Visited an Inca art museum, which exhibited some exquisite pieces of art, and also the catacombs beneath the Iglesia San Francisco. Yuk!!! Bruce and I will return on our own to revist the art museum, as today's visit was just a run through.
Before dropping us off in Miraflores, we toured the cliffs where paragliders were enjoying their adventures. Saw Lovers' Park and the main attraction, a sculpture of lovers kissing. Every Feb. 14, a kissing contest is held here, and the winning couple holds this kissing position for as long as they can. The record so far is 50 minutes.
After the tour, Bruce & I browsed Miraflores on our own, again. Returned to our hotel, rested up, then went out for dinner, enjoying a 'chifa', Chinese-Peruvian food.
The pollution in Lima is high. We have to hold our breath sometimes to get away from the deisel fumes of vehicles. Crossing city streets in Lima is much like any other city in Peru - we take our life in our hands. God help us if we tripped!
Weather-wise in Lima, skies are overcast, the air is misty, the humidity is high. June - It's winter in Lima. Fortunately, the temperature is not that low, so sightseeing is a pleasant activity. We're now looking forward to going home...
Made arrangements to go on a Lima City Tour. We were picked up by a Lima-Vision van, and driven to Miraflores, a posh area of Lima. 30 of us were on the tour, in a large bus. (Bruce & I hate this sort of tour, but we will persevere!)
Drove briefly through the Miraflores and the San Isidro areas - both posh suburb areas, considered the upper middle class areas of Lima. We were instructed to observe the attractive Spanish-style homes. Frankly, there was not much else to see.
Miraflores is the 'hotel' district of Lima, so it also has restaurant and shops for tourists, unlike the area we are staying in. As most districts of Lima are considered working class or poor, these posh neighbourhoods are the highlights of city tours. Shanty-towns exist on the outskirts of the city, in all directions. We've seen these shanty-towns before, on our bus trip toParacas; Bruce and I were shocked at the living conditions of the people. Nothing but mud-adobe brick walled rooms, 8x10 perhaps, oftentimes without roof-tops, with no plumbing or electricity to speak of. Terrible...
Our tour took is to the centre of Lima, through areas that we are already familiar with. The cedar balconies of the main buildings and the colonial architecture were emphasized.
Visited an Inca art museum, which exhibited some exquisite pieces of art, and also the catacombs beneath the Iglesia San Francisco. Yuk!!! Bruce and I will return on our own to revist the art museum, as today's visit was just a run through.
Before dropping us off in Miraflores, we toured the cliffs where paragliders were enjoying their adventures. Saw Lovers' Park and the main attraction, a sculpture of lovers kissing. Every Feb. 14, a kissing contest is held here, and the winning couple holds this kissing position for as long as they can. The record so far is 50 minutes.
After the tour, Bruce & I browsed Miraflores on our own, again. Returned to our hotel, rested up, then went out for dinner, enjoying a 'chifa', Chinese-Peruvian food.
The pollution in Lima is high. We have to hold our breath sometimes to get away from the deisel fumes of vehicles. Crossing city streets in Lima is much like any other city in Peru - we take our life in our hands. God help us if we tripped!
Weather-wise in Lima, skies are overcast, the air is misty, the humidity is high. June - It's winter in Lima. Fortunately, the temperature is not that low, so sightseeing is a pleasant activity. We're now looking forward to going home...
June 23 - Monday - Cusco to Lima
Went through all the 'departure' routines, bading our adieux to the wonderful staff of Ninos Hotel, taking a taxi to the airport, and as we drove along, observed Cusco "starting a new day".
Our taxi had some diffuculty getting to the hotel on time, for the town centre was blocked again due to all the university groups' dancing competitions, which are still going on! On our ride, we skirted the town, giving us a chance to see the 'other' side of Cusco, where we saw piles of rock & stone rubble, everywhere. New construction was going on, but lordy, we cannot begin to understand the methods of their madness. Such choas, yet life is busy & active, street markets are everywhere, selling mountains of fruits, veggies, breads and clothing. Peruvian ladies & their goods, are sprawled out onto the streets, sitting on tarps or stools, bargaining & dealing. And life goes on...
Traffic is heavy as no real transit systems exists - in any city of Peru. It appears that all the anti-pollution devices have been removed from most vehicles, for they spew black & smelly fumes everywhere. We continue to wonder how the Peruvian's lungs survive this everyday onslaught.
Arrived at Cusco airport, checked into LAN; had to pay an additional $47 US for our extra luggage - all our hiking gear! Met fellow travellers we knew from our "Amazon" travels, who were now traveling to Puno by air. All this, because the roads to Puno were blocked, as the Peruvians were demonstrating - with a 'sit-in'. We believe it has to do with the issue of Lake Titikaka's water. Bolivia & Chili desperately need water and the people of Puno do not wish to sell it to these countries, as it would mean damming the lake, resituating the tribes who have been here 'longer than God", before the Incas. Frankly, we feel for them. Poverty exists in Peru, as in every developing country, so foreign dollars might just help relieve this situation.
On the other hand, as we traveled this area, we were very much aware of the sheer importance of the ancient tribal customs, the people's pride in their history and their desire to keep their simple way of life, in a changing world - which has not quite reached them yet. Their world is simple, & magical; we learned so much about their meaning of life. What a conundrum this must be for the people & their politicians.
Arrived in Lima, and La Posada's taxi was their to greet us. This time, driving through the streets of Lima, we see the city as clean, tidy, organized, and lacking in vehicles which pollute as much as the ones we've been accustomed to in small towns around the country. We could not believe the difference in our attitudes after leaving Lima in late May. No rubble anywhere! Hardly any garbage to be seen and no dogs are wandering the streets - interesting!
Even though the taxi from the hotel picked us up at the airport, the hotel did not have us registered properly, so we went through the hastle of getting a room for 6 nights. We previously had received 6 e-mails confirming our reservations, two weeks prior to today, and the only information the staff had was our name and arrival date. It appears that technology is not widely used in the hotel industry. Very simple paper charts and cards are what rules the day. All was resolved, eventually ... so, we were happy, but, it was confusing and tricky for the hotel staff. We still needed to pay for our accommodations in advance.
By this time, we were exhausted - so we rested a bit, then went walking, visiting our corner restaurant, spending time with the Peruvian owner whom we had connected with before. She remembered us well, so we shared our travel stories over tea and cake - (Tres Leche, Three Milke Cake, which was delicious!)
She told us about her life during the past few weeks, and let us know that the people of Puno & Lake Titikaka were really suffering from the cold weather. Apparently, the temperature had dropped to -15 degrees, which is unusually cold for this area. People from Lima were sending blankets and clothing to Puno to help the people. We know travellers who are visiting the area at this time, and we hope all is well with everyone. We're so glad we chose to visit Puno at an earlier date!
Walked around, had dinner at Rovengno's, an Italian-Peruvian restaurant, highly touted by the Hotel. Food is just okay - we're not so sure about the cleaninless of the place.
It's feels good to be back in Lima - now to plan our next five days!
Our taxi had some diffuculty getting to the hotel on time, for the town centre was blocked again due to all the university groups' dancing competitions, which are still going on! On our ride, we skirted the town, giving us a chance to see the 'other' side of Cusco, where we saw piles of rock & stone rubble, everywhere. New construction was going on, but lordy, we cannot begin to understand the methods of their madness. Such choas, yet life is busy & active, street markets are everywhere, selling mountains of fruits, veggies, breads and clothing. Peruvian ladies & their goods, are sprawled out onto the streets, sitting on tarps or stools, bargaining & dealing. And life goes on...
Traffic is heavy as no real transit systems exists - in any city of Peru. It appears that all the anti-pollution devices have been removed from most vehicles, for they spew black & smelly fumes everywhere. We continue to wonder how the Peruvian's lungs survive this everyday onslaught.
Arrived at Cusco airport, checked into LAN; had to pay an additional $47 US for our extra luggage - all our hiking gear! Met fellow travellers we knew from our "Amazon" travels, who were now traveling to Puno by air. All this, because the roads to Puno were blocked, as the Peruvians were demonstrating - with a 'sit-in'. We believe it has to do with the issue of Lake Titikaka's water. Bolivia & Chili desperately need water and the people of Puno do not wish to sell it to these countries, as it would mean damming the lake, resituating the tribes who have been here 'longer than God", before the Incas. Frankly, we feel for them. Poverty exists in Peru, as in every developing country, so foreign dollars might just help relieve this situation.
On the other hand, as we traveled this area, we were very much aware of the sheer importance of the ancient tribal customs, the people's pride in their history and their desire to keep their simple way of life, in a changing world - which has not quite reached them yet. Their world is simple, & magical; we learned so much about their meaning of life. What a conundrum this must be for the people & their politicians.
Arrived in Lima, and La Posada's taxi was their to greet us. This time, driving through the streets of Lima, we see the city as clean, tidy, organized, and lacking in vehicles which pollute as much as the ones we've been accustomed to in small towns around the country. We could not believe the difference in our attitudes after leaving Lima in late May. No rubble anywhere! Hardly any garbage to be seen and no dogs are wandering the streets - interesting!
Even though the taxi from the hotel picked us up at the airport, the hotel did not have us registered properly, so we went through the hastle of getting a room for 6 nights. We previously had received 6 e-mails confirming our reservations, two weeks prior to today, and the only information the staff had was our name and arrival date. It appears that technology is not widely used in the hotel industry. Very simple paper charts and cards are what rules the day. All was resolved, eventually ... so, we were happy, but, it was confusing and tricky for the hotel staff. We still needed to pay for our accommodations in advance.
By this time, we were exhausted - so we rested a bit, then went walking, visiting our corner restaurant, spending time with the Peruvian owner whom we had connected with before. She remembered us well, so we shared our travel stories over tea and cake - (Tres Leche, Three Milke Cake, which was delicious!)
She told us about her life during the past few weeks, and let us know that the people of Puno & Lake Titikaka were really suffering from the cold weather. Apparently, the temperature had dropped to -15 degrees, which is unusually cold for this area. People from Lima were sending blankets and clothing to Puno to help the people. We know travellers who are visiting the area at this time, and we hope all is well with everyone. We're so glad we chose to visit Puno at an earlier date!
Walked around, had dinner at Rovengno's, an Italian-Peruvian restaurant, highly touted by the Hotel. Food is just okay - we're not so sure about the cleaninless of the place.
It's feels good to be back in Lima - now to plan our next five days!
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