Familia de Lima: Family in Lima

I spent three excellent days in the great city of Lima. I didn't go to a single museum, had only a few cultural experiences, and found an excellent hotel costing only $35/night. Nonetheless, my arrival was certainly not boring. Upon entering the terminal someone did attempt to sell me Machu Piccu (in its entirety) for only a few thousand dollars. We then found a taxi driver who told us our hotel “wasn't very nice” and tried to take us to a different one. By 7am Sunday morning I was happily napping in a fairly clean room featuring cable AND hot water. Lucky me.

Now on Monday morning, things got a little interesting. I had sent word a few days back to the our contacts in the Ministry of Education that we would be coming into town in the near future. I don't think that message was ever received because when arrived at the office everyone was very surprised to see us. Including the boss. Amos and I might have been two of the biggest surprises the Technology office has ever received. But not to worry, the ministry had surprises for us as well.

Apparently, a delegation of Mexican officials was currently visiting Peru and deciding whether or not to purchase laptops. As soon as we arrived we were shuttled right into the fiesta, sitting in 4 hour meeting and going to great dinners with the Peruvian and Mexican officials. We ate one night at a restaurant that had Inca ruins built right into it (imagine that). After four hours of appetizers, drinks, dinners, deserts, ruin tours, and speaking in Spanish, I was so exhausted I had to excuse myself.

I do have to say that the nicest thing about being in Lima is having friends (more like family) there. Maria (one of the women who works in the office) adopted us last year and was absolutely thrilled to see her ninos americanos (American children) even if our arrival was a bit of a surprise. She was kind enough to take us to Pizza Hut, explain recent happenings in Peru that we didn't understand, and make sure we had a concrete plan for the next few weeks.

Oscar, the head of the office (also the one who hosted me last year) was quite excited to see us once again. He and his wife went out to a fantastic Italian restaurant with us and caught up on everything we had missed over the past year.

Leaving the foggy Lima is always a joy, especially when the arrival destination is Cusco. I sit in my favorite Peruvian city now. I would write more, but my quite cafe just got interrupted by a windpipe cultural experience. The music sounds faintly like the song of the ancient potato flower and I'm afraid that this song has no distinct stopping point. To this end, I'm going shopping for some sandals. Amos and I are going river rafting tomorrow.