So after over 20 hours traveling I arrived in Lima airport and searched for my pickup guy. Ellen had kindly organised a hostel and pick up for us both and she got there earlier that day so I was looking forward to seeing her and catching up. I eventually found my dude and he dropped me back to my hostel. It looked like it was in the middle of no where which is always interesting but we had chosen Miraflores for the location as it was recommended by Holly to me and was meant to be the nicer and safer as opposed to Central Lima. We stayed in Gallery House for 2 nights. It was a nice enough hostel and was nice to have our own room. Ellen heard me and came down as I was checking in. We then spent the next few hours catching up but I could not sleep very well. I woke at about 5am our time I had skipped back forwards in time but back in time at the same time. Very confusing and when I was waiting at Buenos Aires I could not figure out what time I was on. I was now 8 hours behind NZ and 5 hours behind the UK but I had gained back a day, I had crossed the time line.. bizarre. Anyway I woke at 5ish and went online and I read the devastating earthquake which had struck Japan. Honestly there has been some weird and horrible weather going on and I felt terrible for all the people there. It was clearly a massive disaster and it had triggered a tsunami warning for pretty much everywhere near the South Pacific. Ellen was stirring so I told her the news and we could not believe it :( we were not sure how this would impact us. I knew we were close to the sea but was not sure how close or high..Ellen got quite panicky which was understandable and we did not sleep after that. She spoke to the hostel and they said we were ok as we were 50 metres high from the beach. Eventually I fell asleep, bloody jetlag and I woke at 2.30 and showered and we headed out. We went for some ceviche which is a fish dish in lemon juice but very tasty and some kind of yam on the side and salad. Its obviously a national dish and I am becoming well acquainted with it. We then walked to the coast and saw everyone watching out to sea and the siren going off by the beach. It was a bit like a car wreck you know you should stop staring and move away but you can't help but stare and I was really curious what the tsunami would look like. The time of impact was not expected until 8-9 so it would be to dark so we headed to Kennedy park to have a look around and find a book shop to get a Spanish book. I had a mango sundae from Mc D's, everywhere I tell you..A travel agent advised us against traveling until all the threat had passed so we decided to book something the next day. We had a look in a few stalls, got a book and then went to a diner looking place where they did a pork and sweet potato roll, it was delicious! YUMMY! My mouth is watering whilst talking about it :) We then went to the supermarket and got some supplies and headed home. We were told the tsunami was only about a metre tall so it was all good. IN the hostel we spoke to Vivvie a girl from Taiwan and Alex from the hostel about our options for leaving Lima and where to head. Sadly as my ankle is still b*****ed I knew I could not do the 4 day hike as it was not srong enough, seriously guttered..!! We decided to head north and check our the beach town of Huanchaco for a few days.
The next day we checked out and had to go and buy our bus tickets from the station. It was 140 soles return. 4.5 soles to a £1.. happy days cheap travel again!! Vivvie came with us and aftrwards we headed to central Lima for a walk around. We went in the shops and I got a new pair of 3/4 length leggings :) We then went for lunch at a place near the literature building which was recommended and it did not disappoint. We then took some pictures of the square and cathedral. The square was really beautiful and it really reminded me of European style buildings. It was so pretty. We then went to the oldest uni in South America. My ankle was playing up so the girls went on an hour tour whilst I enjoyed chilling in the square. I was approached by a mother and daughter and I spoke very bad Castellano to them. It was so hard as they had no English either. I gave it a go though. I really should of learnt more but I am hoping I will improve in time :) I also spoke to two girls who asked me if they could ask me questions and I reply in English for their studies. They then took pictures, I felt famous haha!! The girls returned and we had a delicious churros (a hot pastry with a custard style filling in it) then caught a cab back to the hostel. We watched Love & other Drugs with Vivvie and then caught a cab to get our bus. I was intrigued by the buses as I have heard mixes reviews but it was a comfortable and lush way to travel. We had reclining seats and tons of room so made a pleasant change to cramped buses in Oz and Nz. :) I would be happy if all the buses were like this but I don't expect them to be.