Travel Writing in Peru: Archives

I met the people who would end up raising me, providing for me, sending me to school, and later in life, the woman who sold her gold jewelry to help me pay for this trip, when I was 2 months old. I know them as my parents and they are the only people that I would ever call Mom and Dad. They are divorced now, but married when they were contacted on January 29, 1990, the day I was born. At this time, they were told to come and get me. I was born in and named after the Clinica De Lourdes, which is located in Miraflores, Peru. This is all I knew about my short life in Peru. Never before have I contacted my birthparents, nor do I know any information about them. All I have is a copy of an Identification card from my mother. I look a lot like her.

This is my first return to the country that I’ve been missing for 18 years of my life. When people find out that I was adopted they immediately ask if I am going to try to contact my biological parents while I am here in Peru. However, I don’t plan on finding them this time around because I feel that that experience should be shared with my mother who raised me and gave up many opportunities of her own in order for me to have the life I’ve been given.
Since my parents had been to Peru before, both my mother and father made sure I was well prepared for my trip. Before they set me off, they made sure had copies of my passport, no liquids in my carry on bag, food poisoning medicine, and outlet converters. My parents warned me not to drink the water, even when brushing my teeth. Repetitively on the plane I thought in my head ‘botella de agua, botella de aqua’ in hope to memorize the words for bottled water. Upon my arrival to Peru Elio informed me that when ordering water they ask ‘con gas’ or ‘sin gas’ Meaning carbonated or non-carbonated. This information has been very helpful as I have bought at least one bottle of non “gassy” water every day since my arrival. Derek, a fellow trip mate, spent his second day in Peru sick in the bathroom of his hotel room. Good thing my parents sent me prepared, because I was able to give him two Cipro pills to hold him off until someone could make it to la pharmacia. My father knew of Cipro because during his stay he had gotten food sickness and had to fly back to the States early.

My parents spent six months in Lima, and from pictures they have shown me, I know they experienced a lot. They were two young white Americans who didn’t speak Spanish but as a group, with other adopting families, and the help from a lady named Mirasol, they were able to successfully complete the adoption. Now, at age 19, I am here visiting for the first time, experiencing and learning all I can about my nationality for the two weeks of my stay. I am glad to be sharing the experience with my good friend Lauren Brostowitz.

KRISTA HINES writes: I’ve never been much of a fish eater, or seafood in general for that matter. On our classes first meeting, at Machu Pichu in the States, Elio told me I must try seafood at least once while being in Peru. I told myself, maybe.

While touring Barranco with Derik, we came across a cute restaurant near the Parque de Barranco while searching for a bano, or bathroom, to use. Lucky for us, the owner, Hernan Vega, spoke English. After using the restroom, I returned to Derik and Vega in mid interview over Pisco, a drink native to Peru.

After talking to Vega for some time we decided today was the day we would try Ceviche. I couldn’t believe it. I was moments away from having raw fish brought to me to eat.

As I poked at the slimy muscle looking slice of fish that was covered in lime juice, I thought I might be sick. However, once I got the courage to pull the fork to my mouth I realized, it wasn’t too bad. After thinking a bit on the taste, I came to the conclusion that I actually really enjoyed the flavor. The flavor of the lime was so strong I could barely taste the seafood aspect of the fish.

KRISTA HINES writes: One last trip to Larco Mar I found myself side-by-side with Derik while he was interviewing for his story. He asked questions like “what’s your favorite thing to do at Laraco Mar?” One person answering brought up to the cities night life and casinos, which reminded me of how once we leave that night, Sunday, I would no longer be able to venture into a casino, on a night I’m desperate for more Soles, or walk right into a club with friends who are 21 and over.

Fiesta is where we spent most of our casino time. The bright white light, spelling fiesta, while blinking strobes on the sidewalk, about two blocks from La Castellana, got us every time. We couldn’t pass it up.

It was interesting to watch two good friends fall in and out of love with the Casinos. I played the bets a few times, winning once then losing the next, but they never had me. All in total I only lost 20 soles, approximately 7 American dollars.

During our time in both, Lima and Cuzco, we were able to attend three very unique bars/ nightclubs.

Club Ohm:

I didn’t bring my camera tonight, my arms were sore from a long day, and I was positive someone else had theirs on them. It was a good choice not to bring it; any though the interior designs of the building was artistically and beautifully done. Greek gods and goddesses a long with renaissance paintings covered the ceilings and the walls. However we ended up dancing to discoteca and shouting “one, two, three four! Un dos tres cautro!” along with other over done lyrics found on the radio nowadays.