Aniversario y regreso
Trip Start
May 11, 2006
1
15
Trip End
May 21, 2006
Loading Map
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
Lima,
Peru
Friday, May 19, 2006
Asuntos de Familia
Today is family day. Preparing for tomorrow's anniversary bash.
Because of my bad neck, Miryam accompanies me to a local clinic where they take x-rays and see if anything is broken or out of place. Fortunately nothing seems to be amiss, other than that my bones are getting older and are not as flexible as before. After parting with the momentous sum of US$ 20.00 for a morning's consultation, and with pain relieving prescription in hand, we do a little shopping around Miraflores.
This area of Lima doesn't seem to be third world at all
2. Renewal of Vows
. It's more like a southern European town. We visit the posh Larco Mar shopping centre, at the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The prices are certainly not third world here either, so we wend our way back to the main street and our hotel. http://www.mirafloreslima.com/Later we all taxi over to Carlos and Aida's house, where a huge lunch has been prepared for us.
An impressive end to a family day.
Sat. 20th.
Aniversario
A lot of work has been put into this event. Originally contemplated by my sister-in-law Aida in Honduras, the idea caught on, and everyone helped to create this wonderful silver wedding anniversary party.
Miryam had chosen a restaurant in the bohemian district of Barranco, a historical district on the clifftops just south of Miraflores
2. The Reception
. "La Hermita" is located in the romantic "Bajada de Baņos" just by the so called "Bridge of Sighs". The menu had been selected and all seemed to be on track for the celebration. The nearby Church of the Holy Cross had been reserved for the religious ceremony, and Aida's own cousin, who had entered the priesthood, was to officiate at the renewal of vows service. Miraculously, in the land of gossip, Carlos and Aida were totally unaware of what was going on. http://www.barranco.net/The payment for the lunch was due one month out. Imagine our surprise when Miryam's aunt contacted us in desperation to say that she had tried to telephone the restaurant several times, and had eventually gone there to find that the doors were shuttered and the restaurant closed as tight as a clam. The proprietor, who was eventually found, apologized profusely, and told her that the closure was only temporary. To our knowledge the restaurant is still closed.
Fortunately, with some smart legwork, another restaurant was found nearby, which in the end turned out even better than "La Hermita". "Manos Morenas" (doesn't translate very well to "Black Hands") was just a few blocks down the road from the church along one of the remaining sections of the old Lima tramline.
On the big day, everything goes perfectly
3. The Reception
. The mass is joyous and tearful at the same time, and the delicious typical Peruvian buffet, with abundant beverages, is a huge success. A good time is had by all. In the evening, after the celebration, we wander through Miraflores enjoying the Saturday night street activities and doing a bit of last minute shopping in the department stores. Ice cream and coffee is enjoyed curbside at "Haiti", a venerable Miraflores institution, then back to the hotel to get ready for tomorrow's flight home.
Sun. 21st.
El Regreso
After an early breakfast, our faithful Bratzo is waiting for us at the hotel entrance, and we drive to the airport.
The flight is on time, and we start our wretched 10-hour odyssey back to Miami.
