May 21 - Lima to Paracus

Did our morning habits, walking, purchasing food for our bus ride to Paracus & enjoying a last minute Cappucino. Antonio, our wonderful, regular cab driver, drove us to the Cruz del Sur bus depot, had a bite to eat, and boarded the bus at 1:30 p.m. We were comfortably seated on the top floor, with reclining seats, and were even served an ´airline´ meal. Watched a movie, then played bingo - I won! A bottle of Picso... Arrived at Paracus, a coastal ´resort´at 5:15 p.m.

Pan American Highway is well developed along the coast. Landscape is mainly sandy desert, some high rock, sand mountains, and sandunes. Some agriculture, corn, grapes, orchards. Nice break in this desolate land.
We experienced our first view of the extreme poverty in Peru. OMG! We have never seen living conditions such as these - ever. We did not know people lived like this - large areas of small buildings side by side, or sometimes separated. Size - 8x8 or 12x12 square boxed houses, constructed of clay bricks, with a reed or a cement´like roof, one door, and sometimes a window, but this was alway blocked with a piece of wood or cardboard. I can understand this, because the outside is nothing but the sandy desert. Saw nothing to support electicity or plumbing. People´s living conditions are extremely dismal. These sights had quite the sobering effect on me, and we have since seen this type of housing all along the roads. I think the people work in town, then are bused back to their homes at night, as we did not see a lot of activity around these places.
Arrived in Paracus, and quickly found a place to stay, Hostal Los Frayas. Very basic - Lima was upscale in comparison. Ate a delicious ceviche & Peruvian beer for dinner. Bruce had an excellent fish & rice dish! Roasted corn kernals are always placed on the table to munch on. Interesting.
Could not use e-mail - Telus was down... Lots of new experiences, each day. Think of the brain cells we are popping!