Pachacamac

Although I couldn't make it to Puno, Cusco, or any of the other indigenous culture hotspots I did make the short trip to the ruins of Pachacamac about 40 minutes south of Lima.

One of the more interesting things I learned during this trip was that the Incas (the indigenous group most of us are familiar with) actually had a relatively short period as the dominant civilization in Peru. The Incas ruled Peru for less than 100 years compared to their predecessors the Wari (520 years) and the Lima (350). When asked by my friend Andrea (a Peruvian girl who I met in Barcelona and reconnected with in Peru) about what I knew about pre-Columbian Peruvian history I responded "the Incas", to which she replied "well then you really don't know much".

Pachacamac (Earth-Maker in Quechua) was the main god worshiped by the Wari and Lima people. It's was wooden pole about 6 feet tall and its head had one face on each side symbolizing his ability to constantly observe what was happening. Interestingly, when the Incas took over Peru they didn't destroy Pachacamac (the Spaniards would take care of that about 75 years later) but rather allowed the Waris to continue worshiping it even though the Incas had their own set of gods.

So there's your Peruvian history lesson of the day. Here are a few shots from the visit.

Getting caught up on Peru

Without internet access where I was staying it was hard to keep this ole blog up to date while in Peru so the next several entries will cover my adventures there...

An admission

This post goes out to all the people who I've snobbishly lectured about how fashionably reprehensible it is for men to wear shorts and that you will never see me wearing them unless I'm at the beach or playing sports.

When the heat index hit 114 degrees today I went running (actually it was a very slow walk while trying to stay in the shade) to the nearest clothes store as fashion snobbery gave way to common sense. 

Cartagena, Colombia

I know I'm way behind on blog entries but I did want to quickly inform my loyal blog followers that I have just begun phase two of this little journey arriving last night in amazing Cartagena, Colombia on the Carribean coast.

First impressions are very positive in spite of the fact that 92 degrees (current temp) and humid is a pretty abrupt change from cool, cloudy Lima.

Did a little exploring this morning and it was nice to see that the locals haven't forgotten the memorable trip that Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and others made here in the late 1980's.

(it's a little hard to see but this particular Jewerly shop is having a 40% off "Romancing the Stone" sale.)

Too hot to be in the street now so I'm going to follow the local tradition of having a little siesta until it cools down later this afternoon at which point I'll do more exploring and probably visit the famous Museum of the Inquisition.

More to come later including the backlogged Peru entries.

Sand dunes in Huacachina

If flying down a 50 meter sand dune head first on a piece of plastic is on your bucket list you'll have to make your way to Huacachina, Peru, about 4 hours south of Lima.

More than a town, Huacachina is a conglomeration of restaurants, hotels, and bars that surround a desert lagoon. When not eating or taking part in nightlife activities the main source of entertainment is flying around the sand dunes in a buggy and riding down said dunes in either snowboard or sled-style. 

Happy to report that I made it through the weekend with only a few dune-related bumps and bruises and mild sunburn. 

More to come soon!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Sandboarding

I'm waiting now for my bus which will take me to Hucachina, about 4 hours south of Lima. More than a town, Huacachina is a conglomeration of a bunch of small hotels, restaurants, and bars which surround a desert lagoon. See link to photo below.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8sPmYVGlrl6gGt9BA0KeCoVuP0eVof0iDDsTxb6fptZwZz7LHzhRqRYnfxW2sqij3L64BBPjA8FnlRo1RlwsI9e4szSoAd2YpRtugm4Exy9z_4LFe2SQyCkAT77jSOn_a4RjmAlAgiet/s1600-r/cities_ica_huacachina_tot.jpg

The main activity in the area are buggy rides in the sand dunes and sandboarding: think snowboard + mountains of sand + gravity = lots of fun. 

http://www.peru-hotel.info/imagenes/fotogaleriaica01_01.jpg

The apartment I´m staying at here in Lima doesn't have internet so I'm still unable to upload my photos but I will as soon as I get the chance.

Time for a bus ride and then it's time to hit the dunes!

Made it to Lima!

Hello from south of the Equator!

Any time you get to visit a new place (especially in a different country/culture) it's special but for several reasons this trip feels particularly fascinating. After hearing so much about Peru for so many years and getting to know the culture from a proxy point of view it is so amazing and strange (in a good way) to actually be here. 

After leaving Fort Lauderdale 3 hours late I arrived in Lima at 1:30am and what a fantastic sight it was to see my dear friend Angela and her aunt Marisol waiting for me as I came out of customs. Leaving the airport terminal there were at least 12 different taxi drivers (the majority unlicensed) who immediately swarmed us, undercutting each other's prices and each bragging about how his car was the newest. In the middle of the chaos Angela turns around to me with a half smile and says sheepishly "Welcome to Peru". We (I should say Angela and her aunt) negotiated a good price with a nice man and we were off. Whizzing through Lima I got to experience first-hand what it's like to be a passenger in a Formula 1 racing car. We arrived safely, of course, and after a little chatting it was certainly time for me to go to bed. 

The morning has been fun, walking around a bit, getting Soles from the local ATM, and doing some grocery shopping. More than once I've gotten the inquisitive (but friendly) "De dónde eres?" which translates as "Who is this gringo who talks like a Spaniard and is here in this area that is not part of the tourist track?". All in all, great first impressions and more fun and adventures to come this afternoon. 

Until the next time!