We were just saying goodbye to another blue-sky day in Cusco as Carlos picked us up and took us to the airport around 7:45 AM.
Here we go again!
I have been using the precious (rare) downtime of the past 24 hours to catch up on some blogging and journaling. Emotions connected to memories that already seem a lifetime ago, are strong. I'm so grateful for the laughter, joy, kinship, wisdom and encouragement that my friends have brought to this adventure.
Have I mentioned that this is really my first time travelling an extended period with friends? I'm normally with Mark or more often, alone. It takes a special person to put up with me... and me them! I'd call this a complete success though.
Ok, let's talk about Lima now. We had an Airbnb apartment booked already and our host was planning to meet us at 12:15 PM to let us in and orientate us a bit. Her name was Carla. She met us at the door of the secure building on arrival and was quick to get us sorted. The apartment was on the 13th floor... that would be the roof. Seriously. The roof! You take the elevator to the 12th floor, then hoof it up the stairs to the roof, walk across the roof to our door... and let yourself in. The view of downtown Mira Flores is fab!!! We are 10 mins walk from the Pacific Ocean and between mini skyscrapers, paragliders are floatin' by! What?! Uh-huh... paragliders!
Lima is a city of 12 million people. It's busy. There don't actually appear to be road rules of any description, but we were later informed there is ONE. "Don't crash". Everyone has a hand on the steering wheel and the other firmly pumping up and down on the horn. For those without horns, there are whistles. Peruvians love their whistles!
Alex had given us some great tips on things to do in Lima and we used day one to start ticking stuff of the list he gave us. Not far from the apartment were .... you guessed it... markets! Who needs more alpaca hats? I do! It was like we had both forgotten that there is a weight limit on our luggage. Oh dear.
We also harbored an undying urge to find a new friend to share our Lima journey with, since Kelli was home by now. A cuy did seem like the best choice, under the circumstances. We adopted this little cutie, today.
I think the find of the day goes to John F Kennedy Park and the Kennedy Park Kittens though. This city park is riddled with cats. Some feral, some colony cats and others, just abandoned there to roll the dice on their future.
Teresa and I, being cat ladies, loved the fact that cats roamed the park, sleeping on park benches, never seemingly wandering just outside the park, where 3 lanes (at least!) of traffic hurried by, 24/7.
We wandered through this park and tried our best to make friends with the beautiful felines 2-3x/day! Most of them didn't want to know us... but a few were adoring and smoochie. And I may or may not have brought some of my chicken from the restaurant into the park to treat a few! Shhhh.
Actually there is a non-profit organization in charge of the kitties. Cat food and water is plentiful. They are taking responsibility for medical care and neutering. Amazingly, there is an adoption program too. For cats that can be rehomed, the organization matches them with suitable new families - after doing home visits and investigating you first of course!
For more info or to make a donation visit the website: https://gatosparquekennedy.org
They also have a Facebook page.
Just like that our first day in Lima was drawing to a close. It was time for dinner and a quick supermarket visit.
Tomorrow held the promise of a food tour, booked months ago. But tonight held the promise of an early night, each in our own room for the first time since we left Colorado.
Here we go again!
I have been using the precious (rare) downtime of the past 24 hours to catch up on some blogging and journaling. Emotions connected to memories that already seem a lifetime ago, are strong. I'm so grateful for the laughter, joy, kinship, wisdom and encouragement that my friends have brought to this adventure.
Have I mentioned that this is really my first time travelling an extended period with friends? I'm normally with Mark or more often, alone. It takes a special person to put up with me... and me them! I'd call this a complete success though.
Ok, let's talk about Lima now. We had an Airbnb apartment booked already and our host was planning to meet us at 12:15 PM to let us in and orientate us a bit. Her name was Carla. She met us at the door of the secure building on arrival and was quick to get us sorted. The apartment was on the 13th floor... that would be the roof. Seriously. The roof! You take the elevator to the 12th floor, then hoof it up the stairs to the roof, walk across the roof to our door... and let yourself in. The view of downtown Mira Flores is fab!!! We are 10 mins walk from the Pacific Ocean and between mini skyscrapers, paragliders are floatin' by! What?! Uh-huh... paragliders!
Lima is a city of 12 million people. It's busy. There don't actually appear to be road rules of any description, but we were later informed there is ONE. "Don't crash". Everyone has a hand on the steering wheel and the other firmly pumping up and down on the horn. For those without horns, there are whistles. Peruvians love their whistles!
Alex had given us some great tips on things to do in Lima and we used day one to start ticking stuff of the list he gave us. Not far from the apartment were .... you guessed it... markets! Who needs more alpaca hats? I do! It was like we had both forgotten that there is a weight limit on our luggage. Oh dear.
We also harbored an undying urge to find a new friend to share our Lima journey with, since Kelli was home by now. A cuy did seem like the best choice, under the circumstances. We adopted this little cutie, today.
I think the find of the day goes to John F Kennedy Park and the Kennedy Park Kittens though. This city park is riddled with cats. Some feral, some colony cats and others, just abandoned there to roll the dice on their future.
 |
| With the magic Google Translate glasses on... |
Teresa and I, being cat ladies, loved the fact that cats roamed the park, sleeping on park benches, never seemingly wandering just outside the park, where 3 lanes (at least!) of traffic hurried by, 24/7.
We wandered through this park and tried our best to make friends with the beautiful felines 2-3x/day! Most of them didn't want to know us... but a few were adoring and smoochie. And I may or may not have brought some of my chicken from the restaurant into the park to treat a few! Shhhh.
Actually there is a non-profit organization in charge of the kitties. Cat food and water is plentiful. They are taking responsibility for medical care and neutering. Amazingly, there is an adoption program too. For cats that can be rehomed, the organization matches them with suitable new families - after doing home visits and investigating you first of course!
For more info or to make a donation visit the website: https://gatosparquekennedy.org
They also have a Facebook page.
Just like that our first day in Lima was drawing to a close. It was time for dinner and a quick supermarket visit.
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| Yes, that is chicken on a bed of fried banana! |
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| Artichoke hearts. All the hard work has been done for you. |
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| Olive sandwiches. Umm.. no comment. |
Tomorrow held the promise of a food tour, booked months ago. But tonight held the promise of an early night, each in our own room for the first time since we left Colorado.
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