We are here! And tired.
Some notes:
– We changed Will in Houston before the 6 hour flight to Lima. Bad Idea not pre-emptively changing him at least once on the flight (as cumbersome as that would have been on a full flight in coach.) When we landed, he had wet through everything and was positively sopping wet. Poor kid. Have I mentioned he is a totally amazing?
– Lima is lovely. We’re about two blocks from the ocean. Huge cliffs, lined with blooming vines, create a wall around the seaside. The effect is beautiful. We walk two blocks and can stand along a walking path and look down over the sea.
– We walked along the ocean to Larcomar, an upscale shopping area with movie theatre, restaurants, and more. An affordable lunch was munched looking out over the Pacific.
– Swimmers and surfers dot the shore. While they are fun to watch, I would not join them, even on a dare.
– The house is great. Owned by lovely family (nice pictures everywhere). Not quite on the same “neat freak” level as us so we have been working to make space for ourselves without disturbing much. It is nice to be somewhere so clearly lived in and loved by a neat family. Beautiful rooms, big living space, 3 bedrooms, bathrooms, an office, and roof top terrace. The house is filled with toys, making us feel (not for the first time) that we seriously deprive our child. Will was so in to the toys that when asked if he wanted to go outside (we wanted to walk to the grocery to get some essentials) he said “no.” That was the first and only time Will has ever said “no” to going outside. Until he found out there was a little tikes play gym on the roof.
– Expensive and upscale grocery (Vivanda) is a few blocks (7? 8?) away. Walk over, take taxi back for about a buck.
– Paul is set up for work (I’m using his computer right now). He’ll set up the household wireless soon and I’ll be able to plug in at will with my compy. The wonders of technology!
– Vonage is up and working, call us at will! We’re told the connection can be rough — but we experimented and found that it is better when we don’t use the household wireless phone and don’t touch the internet while we are talking. It’s pretty good on our end, though! (And sort of amazing when you consider we can call out and be called as if we were in the States!)
– Will’s new trick: shaking hands and saying “mucho gusto” (pleased to meet you). Combined with his “dame besito” where he blows kisses, it is sort of like a one-two punch of cuteness winning us friends throughout Lima.
We’re happy to be here, excited about the next few weeks, and tired out from the long day!
Elizabeth | 04-Jan-06 at 9:03 pm | Permalink
I haven’t looked at your blog in awhile and I can’t believe how much I missed!! I really thought Lima was a great city and it explains so much about Peru. I also stayed in Miraflores and loved walking down to the ocean. Reasons abound for not joining the surfers, including how super polluted I was told the ocean is there. I once took a great tour of the coast further south…huge sand dunes, multi-colored beaches, penguins (!!), amazing music and this lovely place called the Cathedral. Will sounds like he is a world-class traveller and I know you will all love Lima. You learn so much about a country from it’s capital. And you are so close to the mountains and everything too. Disfruta la vida limena!!!! Besitos a todos, E-
julie | 05-Jan-06 at 1:04 pm | Permalink
Wow! I turn around for two seconds and suddenly you’re in LIMA! I can’t believe its already “that time.” Have fun getting settled. I look forward to reading more about your adventures (I need something to get me through the chilly winter in Chicago). 🙂 Much love to you, Paul and the peanut!
xoxo j
Anonymous | 05-Jan-06 at 3:01 pm | Permalink
I am SO jealous!! I read your blog regularly, so I am constantly comparing my life to yours and I can hardly say it is as amazing. Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures in Peru. Let me know if I can help with contacts in any way – from the short time I spent there. Get out of Lima if you can! – Amy K
Holly | 05-Jan-06 at 9:00 pm | Permalink
Elizabeth — are the penguins on the islands off the coast from Pisco? We read about the sea lions down there and thought it would be a great weekend trip (criteria: relatively close and not above 2500 meters). But hearing from you about penguins, well, it sounds like something that is a MUST! (You know me well!)
Jules: if I could bottle up some Lima humidity and send it your way, I would! Enjoy the glamour of scarves al-la Grace Kelly!
I dunno, Amy — how many continents, reports, and assorted projects have you been a part of in the past year? Country Director of Haiti for JHPIEGO sounds one heck of a lot more exciting than standing around Lima, scratching your head and going, “So what the heck am I going to do for this darn disseration?!” 🙂