Fresh from the States

A Few Highlights of the First Days

The Trip to Lima:
I spoke only Spanish for the entire day of traveling once I passed through the international gate at the LAX airport. Finally, now that I have no other choice, I have jumped in head first!! Of course, I should have started practicing well before my trip, but I guess no time is too late!
The airport in El Salvador was inviting, but there were two or three very serious and suspecting guards armed with drug dogs wandering throughout the small terminal. No messing around!

The Arrival:
My good friend Estefania, mi hermana española was so excellent to meet me at the gate upon my arrival. It had been EIGHT years since we had seen each other and it was a very exciting reunion at the Lima airport! We have both talked about a trip to South America together over the years since we first met in Spain. To be able to accomplish such an adventurous goal makes us both feel as though we can do ANYTHING we want to in life!

Accomodations:
I am staying with Estefania in a neighborhood (barrio) called Los Olivos across from a little park and just above the landlord who takes good care of us. We stay in a twin sized bed together (so generous of Estefania to share)!!! To be honest, it is a very poor neighborhood here, but we are very cautious and lucky to have a good family looking out for us. It is quite interesting to observe the contrast here between the very very poor and the very very rich. It seems that there is no middle.

Food (VERY important!):
A few yummy Peruvian things that I have tried
are... Chicharrones, a traditional charred pork which we ate in sandwich form, self composed at the table with pickled onion and cilantro mix, camote (slices of sweet potato), and au jús. That same day, our friend Fernando also introduced us to pink banana, called platano de la isla which has a very distinct flavor and consistency...maybe a bit of a citrus flavor. Then yesterday, we had an amazing lunch (also with Fernando and his sister Lisi). There we tried Chupes de Langostino a very rich and flavorful seafood soup and Chichamorada, a refresco (or juice) made from purple corn and cooked pineapple.

Sights:
Museo Banco Central de Reserva del Peru http://museobcr.perucultural.org.pe/ This museum is located in what used to be a bank and is under very tight security, but is free to the public and holds many sacred antiques from various, distinct Peruvian cultures that existed throughout the eras. We were very lucky to spend a full day in the Center of Lima with Eduardo, a friend of Estefania who has studied tourism and specifically enjoys architecture and history. He was our amazing tour guide that day.
Cirquito Magico del Agua - This park in the center of Lima is a great fixture for the hot summer nights and provides a serene, relaxing feel. It features a beautiful array of water fountains combined with light shows. Many of the fountains are made for walking through and there is even one in which a wet game similar to hopscotch is played by kids of all ages.