An Outing

If New York was overwhelming to Becca, Lima was overwhelming’s big brother. Lima had 10 million plus people and even more cats in its parks. But there was something beautiful in every second of Becca’s Saturday there; it seemed that even in the honking cars and bustling sidewalks, there were kind faces, helpful people, and beautiful architecture.

Becca had always been a nerd for architecture and though she didn’t feel a huge spiritual connection to the churches, she could spend hours in them examining the fine details or each stone, each wooden balcony, each golden line of a statue’s face. Government buildings were much the same; whether it was a dictatorship or a democracy, she felt nothing but admiration for the beauty of the standing art in front of her.

Becca met her classmates on the steps of the Catedral de Lima as they all stared up at the craftsmanship of the carvings. Their teacher, Pilar, assembled the group of four students and began giving them instructions. As they listened, however, they were approached by several students from and English class who asked them several questions about themselves in order to practice their English. Aw how the table had turned...

After the quick interviews, Pilar led them through El Centro de Lima, taking pictures of the girls in front of various buildings with all four of their cameras. Though they thanked her numerous times, she always told them it was not a problem because it’s important that they have the classic Lima pictures. Finally, they made their way to La Casa de Gastronomica Peruana which was several rooms with informations about Peruvian food in various regions and it’s history. Here the group learned many new food related words and Pilar showed them her favorite dishes. In the biggest room, their was rubber replicas of various foods that they could pick up and ask questions about. Though by eleven thirty, the girl were mostly just feeling ready for lunch.

The group made its way next down a long road of various shops, stopping into one to look at “authentic Peruvian goods,” and knowing that they’d be charged a fee for authenticity in Lima, a huge tourist center. Eventually they came to the church of the lady of mercy which they all marveled at. The walls were lined with tons of gold accenting various scenes and wooden carving stood all the way to the high ceiling. Natural light flooded in through large domed ceiling windows, and rained down upon the heads of those that prayed there. 

After several pictures and even more “wow”s, the group found a taxi (after a lesson about taxi safety in Lima) and made their way to Mira Flores*.  Here they found more modern buildings, beautiful houses, and a Starbucks! And another Starbucks! And another...and another...However, they also found a beautiful park with a very helpful guard who directed them to the market.

They ate lunch with another group in the food section of the market, all trying new foods such as Arroz con Pato (Rice with Duck), Papa Relleno (Potato with this amazing meat stuff inside), Arroz con Mariscos (Rice with Seafood), Chicha Morado (delicious sweet drink) and many other things. By two, Becca was stuffed and ready for a nap. But, Pilar pushed on.

While many of the other teachers said goodbye to their students and ended their day, Pilar introduced the group to her husband and son and then piled them into her car to go to the beach.* She took them first to El Parque de Amor (The Park of Love) which held not only a giant statue of a kissing couple, but also outstanding views of the Pacific. Upon seeing the ocean, Becca felt a lot of things she hadn’t expected; first excitement and then anxiety and finally a pang of homesickness that it took her several minutes to shake. 

The group viewed the sea from hight above in the park and then drove down to the actual beach and watched surfers while they explored. Pilar pointed out various sites and animals, Becca noted how flat the crabs were when they sat on the rocks. By three-thirty, the girls were exhausted and Pilar took them to the collectivo* stop to get them a ride back to Chaclacayo. 

By four-thirty, the girls were back in Chaclacayo and headed toward their houses, the long day of excitement behind them. They were all ready for bed.

*It should be noted that Mira Flores is the name of the area, but in Spanish the name literally means “look at flowers.” Earlier in the day, when Becca’s friend, Jane, who was from a different language group, had asked her what her group would be doing in Lima, she’d replied that they were going to see some of the sights. Jane had told her that her group was going to look at flowers. This was quickly followed by the realization that Mira Flores was in fact the place they would be going and not the activity they’d be engaging in. Oh Jane...

*Pilar is awesome.

*A Colectivo is like a taxi but much cheaper and better suited for long distances. Unlike a taxi, the car for a certain destination must be full before the driver is allowed to leave, but if you have four people, they will leave right away and take you to a stop near your house. The cost of a regular taxi from Lima to Chaclacayo is 35-50 soles ($12-$18), the cost of a colectivo from Lima to Chaclacayo is 8 soles ($3).