Hi there. I have about 15 minutes free to tell you that today was a nice morning in Cuzco and then a 9>30 flight to Lima. We were met at the airport by Kika who gave us an extensive guided tour of the city of Lima. First off, the airport and cruise port are way, way outside the business district. So a good part of the drive was through industry and the attendant slums. Girls and boys trolling the stop light lines to sell soft drinks, newspapers and even chairs. Eight lanes of traffic but they had it all figured out.
When we finally arrived in the old part of town in the city center we took a very pleasant walking tour. At the Franciscan monastery we visited the monastery itself and the church. Then we went down to the catacombs. Not like those in Rome at St. Peter's at all. These were more like mass graves that were discovered after the 1970 something earthquake. The open pits simply now sort arm bones, from leg bones, from hip bones, from skulls. Of course if they were in Slovakia they would be in chandeliers. *Google Sedlec Ossuary to see what I mean.
When we returned to the square there was a parade of mountain dancers performing a ritual dance in front of the cathedral. their woolen leggings and capes were over silken long dresses. Their masks were carved wood. They carried long hemp whips which made quite a loud crack as they cleared the crowd to pass along the street. A tiny young boy was doing his best to keep step with the ritual dance steps.
We stopped for a coffee break and while everyone else sought refuse in one of the many open air cafes or the elegant Dunkin Donuts, Theresa and I went to the museum of St. Martin De Pores and St. Rose of Lima. We did not have time to tour but the very nice young man selling the tickets told us the stories of the saints and let us take pictures of the statues on display in the lobby. There were several beautiful churches nearby. Also a street of Moorish balconies.
We stopped in beautiful ocean side Miraflores to stroll in the park that is modeled after Parque Quell in Barcelona which was a masterpiece of Gaudi. Here it is lover's park and has a giant statue of a kiss. Many brides and grooms were having photos at the statue which is supposed to symbolize everlasting love. Off shore surfers were hoping to catch the perfect wave and we were very reluctant to leave the relaxed, warm sunshine to continue on our bus tour.
We are now checked in aat the Novotel Hotel Lima and I am on my way to join Margaret for our complimentary welcome drink of a Pisco Sour. I will have to find the recipe,,,I think it would be a good summer drink.
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