It´s Good to Have Friends

Once again I called up my Peruvian friend from Chicago. He was excited to hear from me again, and immediatly suggested that we get together for dinner. Percisely what I was calling for....how convienent.?. He told me to call him in an hour, and as I was leaving the hostel to call him, there he was waiting for me with a car. What service! Again it was me, him, and his younger brother. We went to a new neighborhood called Pueblo Libre (Free Town in English). We ate at a nice family joint, enjoyed some great seafood, two bottles of wine, and added a new drink to my repetua... its called a cocochino, and its Pisco (the national spirit) tonic, and lime. A great classic drink. I enjoyed it.

I also felt privledged to be able to see more neighborhoods of Lima than most of the others. I have now seen and explored Lima (proper downtown), Miraflores, San Isidro, Surco, Barranco, Surcillo, Molina, Sur del la Molina, and now Pueblo Libre. Most people just pass through Lima, and maybe spend a night or two in Miraflores on the start or finish of their trip. I stayed and explored.

While Miraflores is by far the popular choice, each neighborhood has its own vibe. Pueblo Libre was a quiet, undisturbed town arranged around a public square or plaza, as almost every town I have seen in Peru is. It feels safe, but only because I am with my two local guides. According to them, this is not a place for tourists...ie: me, to come alone. Of course, it has instantly become cooler in my mind, and I become instantly more thankful and happy that I have a friend here to show me around. We passed through San Isidro on the way- the area is more mature, and I get the feeling its the old money section of Lima. Mid century condo buildings raise above the parks for competing views, and the streets and sidewalks are noticably absent from much activity. The Japanese embassy is housed here, and it looks like a maximum security prison! 15 foot high walls, with a gaurd tower on each corner, barb wire on top, complete with prison style lights and cameras. Its not even in operation, and there were still gaurds there! This is the response to terrorist attacks on it in the 90´s, by Peru´s own ´Shinning Path¨ terrorist....the organization was created by a professor at a University in Ayacucho.

Miraflores, my home for the moment, is equally well to do, but with a younger, ore vibrant twist to it. Where the streets in San Isidro are preserved as strickly residential, the street level activity of miraflores is rampant and varried. It creates a buzzing atmosphere...which I like. I have also met other fun travelers, and together we ventured out to Barranco for drinks. Barranco is close to nice beaches, and is known to be the more bohemian of the neighborhoods. Many mansions sit neglected here, sporting paint from whichever local gang has painted it last. But the views out over the ocean are expansive and impressive. Also the bar and club scene are some of the best in Lima. Molina and Sur de la Molina are where my friend lives, it is east of the city, and is supposedly where the people with money are now moving to. The American Embassy is housed here, and is a giant compound!

I have enjoyed my time in Lima, but now it is time to move on. I head for Huaraz tonight, where amazing mountain views and hiking await.