Lima, Peru

July 19 - August 1  [2021]

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Lima turned out to be a disappointment.

 

Granted, Peru is in the middle of winter and Lima sits along the coast where a heavy marine layer resides for months on end. That aside, I didn’t expect fourteen days of grey without a moment of sunshine - not one minute. And to rub salt in the proverbial wound, I was staying in Miraflores, a tony district above the beach with lengthy vistas up and down the coast. Unfortunately, not useable nor visible my entire stay. 

 

On a positive note, I did meet a group of friendly locals at a neighborhood Ceviche restaurant eager to practice their English on multiple topics including music, geo-politics, travel, design, conspiracies and the current state of our insane asylum. I made a point of visiting Costazul (recommended) at least three times a week after five mile hikes in an around the outer flanks of Lima. For those who haven’t tried the combination of Ceviche and a Pisco Sour, put it on your list. 

 

Lima is Peru’s capital with over nine million inhabitants. Like most South American cities, there’s a huge disparity between the rich and poor with little to no middle class buffering the difference. This was quite apparent as I hiked toward the historic center, transitioning from first world to second with vignettes of the third noted along the route. Lima is rich in Spanish Colonel architecture, museums and ancient artifacts and well worth a visit but it’s currently under renovation with many buildings wrapped in scaffolding. The combination of major construction and relentless grey made my quest for quality photographs nearly impossible and why many have been filtered. In the end, I hobbled through a couple dreary weeks in a city I had originally planned as a two day pivot in transition to Cusco and Machu Picchu. Should have stuck with the plan - live and learn. Onward.