Not a lot of excitement here so far

Friday, August 01, 2014
Lima, Peru
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! 
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