Lima - us and 9 million others!

Well, this is Lima the capital of Peru. We´re sharing this visit with the 9 million people that live here in an amazing variety of accommodation, most of it pretty ramshackle. The journey here was through more desert but what struck us was the number of chicken farms stuck out right in the middle of nowhere - shed upon shed. They do eat a heap of chicken here, more so than any other type of meat (yes, that includes guinea pig)! They even have chicken sheds on the beaches north of Lima. The environment is not a huge priority here which is obvious from the amount of rubbish just dumped anywhere and everywhere. The road itself was cut out of sand - interesting in itself.

Housing in the outskirts of Lima

Still, the people are friendly enough and the desert has it´s own type of beauty. Days are pretty hot (except in Lima where - it´s winter here and you apparently don´t see the sun at all, only in summer and occasionally in spring). It´s just really grey and overcast (gloomy really).

Presidential Palace complete with armoured tank!

After being stunk out on the bus on the way in by an old lady who obviously did number 2´s in a bus toilet designed only for number 1´s (we´ve been told many, many times).... we made it into Lima pretty late at night, got into the hotel which is like a little gringo capsule in the middle of Lima. Not a bad hotel but indifferent service. We ´lost´4 of our group here, some Aussies and a pom but have managed to pick up 11 others on tour (Scots, Aussies, NZ, pom) which brings our group to 18 - a bit big really but no matter.

Checked out the Museum of the Spanish Inquisition and swatted up on some new torturing techniques which may come in handy upon our return to school! Nothing like a bit of water torture or a bit of a stretch on the rack to hammer them into submission. It´s all legit and okay though (the catholics said so........)! We then visited the catacombes under the San Fransisco monastery - really interesting. Over 25000 people were buried in these catacombes - lots of bones....mmmmmm......time for lunch we think!!

The Panamerican highway on the way into Lima

Sorted out some food (big fat cheesecake for Pam), finally found a reasonable coffee. Not brilliant but better than the goddam awful cafe con leche (milk with coffee concentrate) which we´ve had previously. Relief!

Anyway, next stop with the new crew in tow is Pisco (more desert...).

Having a ball (and our tour guide has picked up his favourite soccer ball Wilson so the match is on)!

Ooo roo

nic & Pam