Lima Highlights

January 15; Day 11 at sea

We are still docked in Lima. Today I took a Highlight tour of the city. Saw some amazing architecture and learned a bit about the history.  On the way we passed through poverty. There was an old woman selling candy on the sidewalk and a less than a block away men in white shirts and ties, dressed to the nines, were conducting business on the stock market and in the banks. 

We toured several cathedrals—among them St. Francis.  Wow!  There is a lot of weather and earthquake damage, but the artwork is phenomenal. We weren’t allowed to take photos inside.  So many paintings and tile work.  We also saw down into one of the catacombs where several skeletons were exposed.  The guide said they had found bones of infants and suggested that perhaps the nuns and priests got together for more than prayers.  Not a nice conclusion. 

We also say the presidents palace and a number of government buildings. They’ll be having an election in April and the streets were full of campaign posters. 

While I found the history and architecture fascinating, what really caught my attention were the number of buildings with unfinished roofs. There would be maybe two stories and while some of the buildings may have sustained earthquake danmage, others were waiting for the residents to come up with enough money to complete them.  Also, the tour guide said there are many unfinished because people don’t have to pay as much tax if they are not completed.  On many of the rooftops you could see colorful clothing hanging on the lines.  I suspect people lived on the rooftops as well among the debri.

Lima is very dirty as they have very little or no rain.  Water comes from underground sources and they except to run out of water in ten years.  There is a lot of vegetation however and this is apparently due to the 80-to 90 percent humidity factor.  This is a good thing because rain would destroy those buildings build on the cliffs.  I’m hoping to share some photos with you soon, though with the internet, that might not be possible.

Near the ship is a small marketplace for folks who don’t like to venture out.  They sold sweaters and other items made with 100% alpaca wool.  We found postage cards finally and mailed out three.

Neither Ron’s mom nor mine have internet access.  It costs $2.50 per card to mail so I’m glad we have the internet. J    

We had another wonderful evening—attended the sail away party, but we didn’t sail.  Apparently we were waiting for some people to get back from their Machu Picchu tour.  There are so many tours I’d like to take, but since this is our first time in Port and since some of these tours run $1000 to $8000 apiece, we’re sort of slumming it.  J   This is such a gift,  And I am so grateful for the opportunity.

See you next time.