Travel Writing in Peru: Archives

GRACE ESPERANZA writes: As soon as we all left the airport so many memories filled my head. I started to remember all the people I met last time and all the memories i made. Last time I was in Lima it was winter for Lima, which was in the end of May and June. Right when you exit the airport you see all the casinos, small stores, dogs and the random graffiti. Although once you get into Miraflores there are more houses with smaller streets. When we got to our hotel I realized we where actually staying right in one of the main parts of Lima which is Miraflores. I feel like Miraflores is more of a tourist area but beautiful because you can walk right by the ocean, walk around in Parque Kennedy, go to parque de amor and also go to larcomar. Last time I was here, I began to really get use to Lima so as soon as I landed it felt great being back. I remember last time I got home in Chicago my mom asked me, "How was your trip ?" and I replied immediately with, "when am I going back?!" She automatically knew I loved Lima! I knew this would be a different experience but I always feel like different experiences are always the most memorable. We have already done so much from meeting the other students of IPAD , we have gone to market and walked all over Miraflores. The best part is I know there is so much more to do, I cant wait!

GRACE ESPERANZA writes: The Indian market is filled with colors, tourists, bargaining and souvenirs. It is literally blocks and blocks of scarves, jewelry, art, rugs, bags, decorations, postcards and much more. It is the perfect spot to get gifts for friends and family. The difference from shopping at the market rather than a mall is you get to negotiate the price! When you see an item you are interested in you say, "Cuanto es?" Then you usually try to look semi interested in it and surprised when he or she tells you the price so then you can bargain down from the original price. Last time I went to the Indian market me and my friend had a routine, she would ask for the price and then I would come and say: " Wait can't you get it at the store over there for 10 soles less," Then we would attempt to leave and she or he would usually call us back and lower the price. Lately I always try to bargain with jewelry but mainly rings. You cant have enough rings. The silver ones vary from 30 soles to 80 soles depending how intricate the ring is or if there is stone on it. Also there are other simpler rings some that aren't real and will turn your fingers green. I have came to notice there is a wide variety of rings and so many to choose from that I have probably bought 3 rings already and I know I want more!

GRACE ESPERANZA writes: The gates are always locked. You have to know someone or have a key to get in. When you enter, Martincitos a shelter for abuelos (grandparents), two dogs run to your feet and short after a abuelo usually comes and greets you with a big hug & a kiss on the cheek. If other abuelos see that you have arrived then you have to greet them all with hugs and kisses. Automatically you feel welcomed and safe, even if you don’t know their names, you feel like you know them. The floor is cement and the building is red. The place is nothing like other places in Villa el Salvador. Villa is a very impoverished area right outside of Lima but this place is different. If you look at it from the outside it almost looks like a school, but then you realize there are abuelos walking around everywhere. You can smell the kitchen instantly, if it’s the morning you can smell the bread from the bags and hear everyone greeting each other. If it’s the afternoon you can smell some sort of meat being cooked and hear vegetables being chopped up. The best part about this is I am going there tomorrow, I get to see my abuelos at Martincitos.

GRACE ESPERANZA writes: It was our last day in Lima. Time really does go by especially in Lima. I couldn't believe it was our last night and in about a day we would be in Cuzco. The weather was gorgeous like it always is in Lima. Its usually not too hot and has a perfect breeze. My favorite part in Lima has always been Barranco. Barranco is a only a 5-10 sole trip away from Miraflores which is where we are staying. Some of the group wanted to spend our last night right off the ocean with a nice dinner. Me and one of my classmates (Cristina), wanted to go shopping for a nice summery dress. Last time we went shopping we went to one of the main malls in Lima and didn't have much success. We first spotted this little mini mall. There were a bunch of little stores who all had a variety of dresses.

We both looked a little lost entering the little mall and I felt like people knew we were tourist; but I still wanted a summery dress! I looked at some stores. The dresses looked far to tight, bright and just too out there! Once we entered a store I automatically said "hola!" and smiled at whoever was working in the store, then the person said something back and I completely didn't understand what they said. Each time I entered a store they said some greeting that me and Cristina couldn't understand but we just smiled. Then we finally entered a store where we both found dresses. The lady who worked there told us we could try them on. I turned around to look for a dressing room and I found out the dress room was actually a little curtain that wrapped around the person who tried on the clothes. Cristina and I both got into our dressing rooms, you could barely move, it was by far the smallest dressing rooming I had ever been in. We both laughed at how different it was but there where mirrors at least. The lady at the little store told us the dresses were "muy lindos" which means "very pretty." At the end, we both decided that store had our perfect Peruvian dresses for our last night in Lima.

GRACE ESPERANZA writes: This is my third time in Cuzco and it never feels quite alright. Cuzco is high up in the mountains and many people get altitude sick just because its so high up. Last time I got really sickness and pretty much couldn’t do anything at all. This time I am taking it as slow as possible because for once I want to enjoy my time in Cuzco. Although it doesn’t have perfect weather,(at this time it’s rainy here and cold well compared to Lima but not cold compared to Chicago.) Honestly, I shouldn’t complain because Cuzco is gorgeous. There is so much green and mountains that surround you. I just can’t handle going up the stairs and constantly feeling winded by the time I get to the third floor. Of course it is very touristy with many markets, people constantly asking for you to buy something and you can actually hear people talking English. I think the best part about Cuzco is everyone is there to see the famous Machu Picchu and there are people all over the world. You can turn one way and hear a little bit of protégées then turn the other way and hear someone with a Australian accent. Everyone is from different places yet all there for the same reason, Machu Picchu.

Today we all decided to get massages because it is only 20 soles (8 dollars) for an hour and ten minute sessions. I had got one in Cuzco last time and it was cheap too but odd so I was hoping this one would be better. Five of us decided to get massages from a lady we met at a market by our hotel. She was very inviting and even showed us the place before we decided to go. Right away we made a appointment with her for 8pm. She looked very excited but you could tell she wanted to know for sure if we where really going to come. Sense the place was right by our hotel we saw her through out the day and she would come up and ask “you want to do massage now?” We would laugh and smile and say “we will be at our appointment at 8pm.” Finally it got to be the time. We met up with her and she look relieved and very happy that we actually came. The message ended up being amazing and definitely worth more then 20 soles.

GRACE ESPERANZA writes: I can’t believe it is already over with. I swear, every time I go to Peru the time flies by. There is always so much to do and there is always more to do and stuff I wish I would have done. Fortunately there is always next time, I know I will always go back to Peru. I am so glad when someone asks me where I am from, because I can respond with “ I am from Peru !” with a smile on my face. I love traveling but I am pretty sure out of all the places I go to I am always the happiest when I go to Peru, and the saddest when I leave.

It's airport time again. As much as I love traveling I don’t like the airport that much. So much waiting, uncomfortable seats and your always have to be guarding you are luggage and checking the time every few minutes just so you wont be late. After 3 planes and hours and hours of sitting patiently, I finally get to Chicago. The idea of seeing friends and family is great but just part of me just wishes I could have brought them to Lima. I want them to see how gorgeous and amazing place it is. My friends come and pick me up at the terminal, all smiling. I was happy to see them and they had so many questions. I didn’t know where to start so I started off with “ this trip was just amazing.” After being in so many airports and planes I didn’t really feel like explaining anything but I did really enjoy this trip!