Today we got to our hotel in Lima -Sonestas posadas in Miraflores. I went on a Lima city tour with a group of 4 tourists (from Sydney and London) a driver and a tour guide. It was an excellent experience. We went to the Parque del Amor which overlooks the Pacific Ocean from a high cliff. There were hang gliders all around and surfers in the water. We then saw the Lima era pyramid areas where virgin women and children were sacrificed to the gods. Also I got to see the mummy of a tattoed weaver/priestess who had very long hair extensions/dreadlocks. I think she is the one I read about in national geographic. She was buried in the pyramid.
Then to the Plaza Mayor where we went in the culinary museum in a beautiful old building, Santa Domingo convent, saw the outside of the Cathedral and the Presidential building.
The best part was going into the St. Francis de Assisi church. Full of artwork (can't take photos) and a library with books in it back as far as the 1600s. Everything was beautiful - the tile floors and walls, the Moorish renovated ceiling, the original wood ceiling, the portraits, the painting of the Last Supper, a huge building with a wonderful courtyard and trees. And it was sunny, which it rarely is here. The catacombs underneath were full of bones laid out in piles and decorating the floor of the earthquake wells - skulls and leg bones arranged in circular patterns. 25,000 peoples' bones are down there and it is a mazelike place with low ceilings. The walls are made from bricks, and little river stones and sand mixed with sea bird egg whites.
There is a Spanish- Arabic influence in downtown and it a beautiful clean city with fairly clean air. Cedar balconies from the Spaniards are still in evidence. Humid but not much rain, not too much direct sun either usually. But today it shined bright all day, tons of families are out, the parks are full, lovers are out walking and spring is starting here.
Then I went back to the hotel and Shana and I went to Parque Kennedy. It is the happening spot in the upscale Miraflores neighborhood. Tons of kids and people, artwork on display up & down the street. We walked all around then ate at Cafe de la Paz. She had causa and I had aji de galleno. Muy delicioso. My Spanish is slowly coming back and I am having some fun figuring out how to communicate. Some people know English but not too many. Everyone very nice except some punk who called me a gringo. Lots of European tourists out today.