"Oh, the places you'll go!"

I have now been in Lima for 6 weeks and have been to some historical sites as well as fun-filled tourist spots!

I have been to La Plaza de Armas twice now since I arrived, once at night and once during the daytime. La Plaza de Armas is Lima’s central plaza. Historical + old architechure = Beautiful place! There are cathedrals down every street that allow people to stop and pray in while they are out during the day. They are impressive and elegant and a site to see!

One of the churches that we peeked in!

Plaza de Armas in the daylight... Much more peaceful

I love the architecture of the buildings around the plaza

I have ventured to two ruin sites that were similar, yet had their own significance. With my Spanish professor Christian, our group traveled to Huaca Pucllana, a ruin site in Miraflores where we took a tour and learned about the religious significance that it had hundreds of years ago. Last weekend, I also ventured to Pachacamac, another ruin site that is on the outskirts of Lima. We walked throughout the ruins and also trekked up to El Templo del Sol, which is where people hundreds of years ago would take their sacrifices. This ruin site was much more spread out than Huaca Pucllana and I definitely got my workout in that day!

Huaca Pucllana tour. As you can tell, it is in the middle of Lima.

Going up to the Templo del Sol at Pachacamac.

This is still at Pachacamac. When you first look at this picture it doesn't seem significant, but I must point out that when I took this picture we were at the Templo del Sol. We had walked in a round about way from the start of that trail, which is to the right of the trees in the picture. This ruins site was much more spread out than the other and we did a lot of walking!

Now who wants to hear about the fun stuff?! Of course, there has been shopping involved in my time here. I have been to some places that have been cheap with adorable items! I like cheap, and I like adorable… I like shopping here! I have been to Gamarra a couple of times. Gamarra contains street after street of stores, many similar to each other, that sell pretty much everything, including cheap shoes and clothes. I have bought a few items there for cheap compared to US prices. I have also been to Mercado Indio (Indian Market) a few times. The first couple of times I was just browsing and getting an idea of what I wanted to get, but I went back today and bought some treasures. These treasures include many souvenirs for family and friends (I can’t disclose what these items are, I want them to be surprised!) as well as a few things for myself as well. The items here are extremely cheap as well. These are the types of places to shop here in Lima and I am sure I will go back before it is time for me to go home!

Of course, since we are extremely close to the Pacific coast I HAVE to go to the beach!! I have been to the beach three times so far, with another trip planned for tomorrow! The best beach I have been to so far is Punta Hermosa, which is over an hour bus ride south. That is a long time to spend on the buses that stop and go the entire way there, but the ride is worth it! The ocean is peaceful and gorgeous. The last time I went we actually swam and the water was freezing! I love the ocean and I think that is one thing that I will miss when I go back to Nebraska. I feel so at peace and relaxed while I’m getting my tan on at the beach! 

Punta Hermosa! The best beach we have ventured to so far!

Me at Punta Hermosa!

Although I am having the time of my life while I’m here, it’s not all fun and games. I have two classes that I am taking her in Lima as well as two online graduate classes that consume a large chunk of my time. All of the classes I am taking have helped my experience here in Peru. My Indigenous politics class has made me start looking around when I am out at the lifestyles that people live. When I am on the Cambies (still not the most pleasant experience) or walking around Lima, I notice what people look like and guess where they might be from. My Peruvian literature class, which is my only class that is taught in Spanish, has made connections for me to many sites around Lima. We had read a story about the Pachacamac ruins before I visited and it made the visit more interesting and thought-provoking. My two online graduate classes have talked a lot about diversity and being aware of different cultures. Perfect classes for me to take while I am in Peru, I have first-hand experience of what it feels like to be the minority and discriminated against. I have had just a couple of incidences where the term “Gringa” has been thrown out there as a derogatory term, which I am sure has happened more times than I have actually heard. It is very helpful that I am able to make personal connections with these types of experiences and know what it feels like.

Coming up quick is a month of trips. Next weekend we are traveling to Cuzco, which is a 1 ½ hour plane ride to the East of Lima. Here we will visit historical places and also visit Machu Picchu. Another weekend we are going to Ica, Peru. I am unsure of the itinerary for this trip, but I am sure it will be a weekend of seeing the city. We will also be venturing to Arequipa, Peru, which is the second largest city in Peru. We plan to take a 2 day tour of Colca Canyon, which is like the Grand Canyon. I am very excited for these trips to places other than Lima. Let the busy upcoming month of traveling/homework begin!!