LIMA, THE LAS VEGAS OF SOUTH AMERICA

January 17 - 23, 2010

Who would have known?

Lima is a very large city with a population of 9 million, and we think a good portion of those are at the Casino´s which are on every corner of Larco Avenue, the main drag in our neighbourhood. Just like our apartment block, there is security at every entrance.

It is quite something to drop in 10 Soles knowing it is only around $3.47 US and win. We feel like big spenders, although gambling is Barb´s thing not Lynne´s.

Just like the real Vegas, the attendance is down as neither of these casinos were very busy and we had our choice of some old familiars machines and some new and interesting ones.

We visited Atlantic City, which unlike the real Las Vegas gives out meals, desserts and fruit drinks every evening at 9 pm, and found out the machines take paper money in 10´s or 20´s, etc., mean US tens or twenties. So we are sticking closer to our corner at the La Hacienda where there are dozens of one soles machines. But there are others to visit before we leave!

We started the week by walking over to the Indian Market...a 45 minute stroll. All the Indian Markets in Peru sell the same thing .... or 99% the same thing. Every once in a while you spot something different. Prices need to be negotiated as you can never tell what is a reasonable price until you test the waters. The same sweater in Agua Calientes that the vendor was asking 85 soles for could be found at a roadside table for 40 soles. A decorated gourd in the country might be 10 soles while the same thing in the historic square of Lima is 80 soles! Lynne bought a hand knit sweater from an Indian women in the country for 50 soles and the expresion on her face was priceless. We think it was her whole week´s income.

There is a Gold Museum at Larcomar shopping centre so we walked over to see the exhibit. Fascinating display and we were both quite taken with the designs.

Then off to Tony Roma to share a large rib dinner that came with the largest baked potato we had ever seen. We took this in stride as we were told there were about 3,000 varieties of potatoes in Peru. Had a lovely table overlooking the ocean.

While walking down Larco Avenue, we spotted a poster advertising a Tango show for Wednesday night. We showed up early, bought senior´s price tickets and were treated to a performance of music, singing and a little dancing. The audience was seniors and so were most of the performers. The highlights of the evening were a couple who must have been in their 70´s dancing a couple of Tangos. Lucille Ball was right when she said be thankful if you have great legs because they are the last to go!

There was one young singer. He must have been in an accident as his right arm was artificial and he also had right leg difficulties. But what a glorious voice.

We took our friend along who is our age but speaks no English. At the auditorium, we met two women (one American and one Canadian) who had come into town from Araquippa for a couple of days. They both spoke Spanish, so we all went for coffee together and translation was no problem.

We walked...60 minutes...to Huaca Pucllana (pronounced Pook ya na)which is a Pre´-Inca step pyramid around which Miraflores has grown up. In the past, Peruvians did not think these pyramids were worth saving as there are so many. In the 60´s and 70´s the site was used as a garbage dump and there were even plans to run roadways through it. The bulldozers started but a stop was put to the plans and today it is a facinating museum which one can tour with guides. Next to the site is one of the finest restaurants in Lima and you can dine while viewing the ruins. Our walk back was 1/2 the time of course as we just retraced our steps. Lynne is a great navigator.

That evening we took a taxi to Circuito Magico del Agua, a park located in downtown Lima with wonderful fountains. There are many different displays, all lit up, but the most popular was a water feature in which the children walked onto the platform spouts where they all promptly got soaking wet. One offered a grand display with theme music from the Beattles to Beethoven ending with holographic photos in honour of the 425th anniversary of the founding of Lima. This fountain can give the Bilagio in Vegas a run for their money. This park is also very popular with the residents of Lima as it was full of families with children.

Miraflores is a lively neighbourhood. The municipality keeps everything clean and well maintained including its many parks. One of the things we admire about Peru is the many parks and squares which are used as places of family entertainment.

Saturday night we walked over to Parc Kennedy (named after JF) which is a beehive of activity. A playground for young children, a market for handicrafts, a section of artists to sell their paintings and an amphitheatre with 5 levels of seats. In the centre, the audience dances to taped music. Barb and Marina both got some dances in. What a mad crush...the men in this country like to dance!

We are managing to walk nearly 2 hours every day and like to think that our clothes that were too tight when we got off the ship are now loose.

One more week to go! We are having a wonderful time and cannot believe the time is slipping away so fast. But, in spite of all, we are getting ready to come home. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.