I had been warned about Lima by a few people, including one who is from Lima. I'd been told that it was unexciting, dangerous and don't bother spending more than a couple of days there. I didn't believe a word of it.
I flew to Lima today and had my first airport transfer
. Man, did it make life easy! Just get off the plane, look for the sign and off you go. Anyway, there was nothing appealing at all about Lima during the nearly hour long drive from the airport to the hotel. The shoreline was incredibly ugly and the city itself was just drab. I'm sure there's more to it, but this particular drive did nothing to whet my appetite for Lima.
I was starving by the time I got to the hotel because they had forgotten about my vegetarian meal on the plane. The hotel was in a pretty quiet, nothing-y kind of area and it didn't seem like there would be much in the way of shopping nearby. But... I did spot a Chili's about a kilometre back down the road! So that's where I headed.
Weary and cautious, I headed down the road in the dark. I had been warned about tourist kidnappings and shootings. Of course, it felt safe as home and the most dangerous part about the walk was trying to get over the crazy massive roundabout. Like in China, pedestrian crossings here are more of a suggestion than a law
.
Chili's was great, of course (a nice nostalgia trip). As was the Wong supermarket over the roundabout. Not sure why, but I just love different supermarkets around the world. If I haven't been into a supermarket in a new country, I just don't feel like I've really experienced the country.
The San Blas hotel is where I am staying, and I must say it is pretty average. My room absolutely stinks. It's like a mixture of cigarettes and mould. But it's cold! So I can't open the window. And the water in the shower won't get warm. I managed to get the kindly man at reception to fill up my hot water bottle which helped a bit. I can't believe I considered not bringing it. I know it seems crazy and over the top, but if it means I can get some sleep, then it's totally worth it!
Not a lot of excitement here so far
Friday, August 01, 2014
Lima, Peru
Other Entries
-
1Jul 28, 2014
Jul 284 days priorSydney, Australiaphoto_camera1videocam 1comment 0 -
2Sneezes and yawns
Jul 284 days priorSantiago, Chilephoto_camera14videocam 0comment 0 -
3Fun day out in Santiago
Jul 293 days priorSantiago, Chilephoto_camera58videocam 0comment 0 -
4Valparaiso fog
Jul 302 days priorValparaíso, Chilephoto_camera44videocam 0comment 0 -
5Geocaching day!
Jul 311 day priorSantiago, Chilephoto_camera48videocam 0comment 0 -
6Not a lot of excitement here so far
Aug 01Lima, Peruphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 0 -
7Connected again!
Aug 021 day laterLima, Peruphoto_camera20videocam 0comment 0 -
8Pelicans and ceviche
Aug 032 days laterParacas, Peruphoto_camera14videocam 0comment 0 -
9"Eight o'clock at the oasis..."
Aug 043 days laterHuacachina, Peruphoto_camera85videocam 0comment 0 -
10Headaches and lines
Aug 054 days laterNazca, Peruphoto_camera37videocam 0comment 0 -
11Aug 06, 2014
Aug 065 days laterArequipa, Peruphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 0 -
12Dancing in the park
Aug 2221 days laterMiraflores, Peruphoto_camera11videocam 0comment 0 -
13Date night with a weirdo
Aug 2322 days laterLima, Peruphoto_camera12videocam 0comment 0 -
14"No chico? Muy bien!!"
Aug 2524 days laterLa Paz, Boliviaphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
15A little quiet
Sep 1747 days laterMontevideo, Uruguayphoto_camera13videocam 1comment 0 -
16Where are all the fat people in Montevideo?
Sep 1848 days laterMontevideo, Uruguayphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0
2025-02-11