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!