8/29-30
We arrived in Lima late in the evening. Busing to the hotel in the dark, we could tell that Lima, home to about 10 million inhabitants, was an unusual city: part modern and part ancient; part affluent high rises along the coast and part poverty ridden barrios. Lima residents claim an average income of 2,000 to 3,000 Sol per month, or roughly $600 to $1,000, though appearances suggest many subsist well below that level.
Situated in a desert area, Lima is wedged between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the mountains rising to the east.

Early Wednesday morning, our guide Wilfredo ("Willie") had us embarked on a whirlwind tour of historical central Lima, the entire area a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Plaza Mayor, the Arch Bishop's Palace, the Government Palace, the ancient Cathedral (Pizarro laid the first stone); and the Monasterio de San Francisco. August 30 is a national holiday in Peru, El Dia de La Santa Rosa de Lima, celebrating the life of the 17th century Peruvian; traffic was light, but the public areas were filled with celebrants. Because of the crowds, we were unable to spend much time in some of the areas, but we did have an extensive visit to the Monasterio, blessed in 1673 and completed 101 years later, including its catacombs.
In the afternoon, part of our group went on a guided tour of an historical museum while we did our own walking tour of a central area, including Kennedy Park, the Indian Market, and a park/shopping area along the Pacific.