Likes about Lima

So I think I've been here long enough to begin to compile a list of things I like and don't like about Lima and Peru in general... of course, there are vast differences between my time in Cusco and my time in Lima so I will try to focus most on Lima in this post.

What I love:

• Bodegas: being able to walk 5 minutes around the corner (or literally outside my front door at my old apartment on calle piura) in order to buy my fresh fruits, water, cheese, yogurt, toilet paper, soap or anything else I really need. 
• Living by the coast: being able to be by the malecon and the coast in just 2 blocks is really freeing. It's alot easier to get on my bike or go for a run when I have such beautiful views to look at..it also helps me forget how crowded and suffocating the city can be. 
• Westernized city: I'll admit, as much as I had seeing American brands everywhere (KFC, Pizza hut, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts...etc etc) it is nice to have the luxury of having access to PinkBerry or Starbucks after a long day at work or on a hot summer day. It does make me feel like I'm not in a foreign country though which I dislike... 
• Movie theater: I love that Lima has movie theatres, and the one by parque kennedy is cheap and even has movie night on Tuesdays that cost only S/7. I missed that about Cusco - sometimes you just want to go to the movies for date night (or in my case, it's our Sunday night ritual :)) 
• Friendly people: Although my experience with some Peruvians in Lima has been negative (all the cat-calling and harassing in the street, the overall unfriendliness from Limenos, or the racism of "white" Peruvians vs. colored...) there has been some positive interactions I've had. Girls that have taken me under their wings (Marycruz, Solange, Nataly, Gerardo's sisters) to make sure I was comfortable and felt like I was part of a community. Also many taxi drivers who I've had great conversations with regarding relationships, family, faith, God, etc. etc. Sometimes these chats really inspired me and lifted my whole day. 
• Escuela D1 - My dance studio in Chorrillos... I have really grown to love it there. The teachers are great, and although the classes aren't cheap (S/25/class) they are worth it and I've really gotten to work with some fantastic choreographers and teachers. I'm so blessed to have gotten to join that world there and they have inspired me so much!
• Menu & Food: I love the food in Peru. From pollo a las brasa, to ceviche, arroz con mariscos, La Lucha, lomo saltado, and many other foods, it's something I'll never forget. My favorite are the menu places that cost between S/6 - S/12 for a two course meal + drink. Can't beat that, and that food has always left me more satisfied then the really nice "luxury" restaurants. Go figure! 
• Safety: I don't think there has every really been a time where I have felt in danger in Lima. Granted, whenever I go outside the "bubble" of Miraflores/Barranco, I'm usually with Gerardo so I know I am in good hands. But I have really gained confidence, even going out to Independencia, Chorrillos, and Los Olivos by myself and I've felt safe. I'm glad for this since this was something I was worried about being in such a huge city...
• Fruits & Veggies: The fact that fruits and vegetables are among the cheapest things you can buy around here...besides bread and rice. Back home, at least in Boston, it is so expensive to get good quality fruits and vegetables. I remember spending so much at Whole Foods, Shaws, Trader Joe's, just to get good fruit (never made it too much to the Farmer's Markets...). I love that these healthy things are affordable here!

It's Been Awhile...

I can't believe how long it's been since I last wrote. Since then, lots has happened. I went back home to the US for Christmas & New Years and it was nice to see everyone, although a bit strange since it was my first Christmas home since 2009. I was in Peru the last two years (2011 and 2012) so it was a little weird.


I was ready to come back to Lima though, as the cold weather was killing me, and I was also sick almost the entire time I was home. Lima welcomed me back with hot weather and sun, just what I like :) It was really good to be back, especially since I missed taking dance classes too. I also got promoted to a "Group1" Travel Advisor which basically means I get better requests and better clients to work with. So far it's been working out and I am glad I'm not working with so many "budget" clients these days. Work has been relatively busy which I like since it keeps me motivated. 


A few weeks after coming back to Peru, I had a minor disaster happen to me (which ended up being a blessing in disguise!). I was working a weekend shift at the office, when I came back to my apartment one Sunday afternoon. As I walked in the front door, I heard the sound of pouring water (kind of like a mini waterfall) coming from the hall. As I got closer to my front door, I realized there was water flowing out from the bottom of the door, as well as down the front door from the ceiling. My hands shook as I opened up the front door and as I swung it open, I realized there was about 4 inches of water covering the entire floor in my living room and kitchen. I immediately panicked and grabbed as many things as I could so they wouldn't get ruined. My shoes were floating around the apartment, as well as anything else that was left on the floor. Luckily, the bedroom was barely flooded so our laptops were fine. I ran upstairs and got the help of my neighbors who helped me scoop over 25 buckets of water out of my living room. It turns out my neighbors living directly above me left the water on for the day, and went to the beach. We banged on their door but they weren't there, so the water continued to pour into my apartment through the ceiling. There was paint everywhere and it was a completely mess. My suitcases got soaked, as well as my shoes which are ruined. I am just so happy that my electronics are fine. 


My landlord let me stay in the apartment for 4 free days since I was inconvenienced. After 4 days, they tried repainting the walls but of course nothing was dried out yet so the paint just fell off again. At this point I realized I really just needed to move into a new apartment. When I told the landlord this, he said that was fine but I would have my 4 free days “revoked” since I wasn’t planning on staying, and he was raising the price by $50 if I decided to stay…ugh que mierda. So I frantically started looking for another apartment…my 4^th home in Lima since June… 


I only had 5 or 6 days to find an apartment, and the day I had to move out was a  Sunday. The problem is, the weekly newspaper with all the housing listings comes out on Sunday so I wasn’t able to see any apartments before the day we had to move out. God was definitely on my side with this though, I was so stressed out, and after calling almost 20 apartments, the first apartment that I was able to see that same day, was my dream apartment basically. When I saw the pictures online, I knew it was going to be perfect for me, and it turns out that it was. I went to meet the landlord, and he handed me the keys 15 minutes later. I was so grateful and it seems that it was a blessing in disguise that the flood happened at my old place, because I am so much happier living in this apartment. It is close to my other friends apartments, plus only a few blocks from the ocean. It also has a balcony that overlooks a fountain. Although there is a lot of traffic, the apartment is really nice and open and really homey. I’m so grateful!
 
Besides that, I have been going to physical therapy for my back which is caused by my poor posture at work. Luckily it’s not too expensive (S/30, about $12) for a half hour session and they do a good job. I just wish it would start feeling better! I really need to work on my posture. I also have been taking contemporary and jazz as usual, but jazz is with another teacher since Diana took off for the US for 6 months. Unfortunately now I don’t have the assistant teacher position so I’m back to paying for classes. Wah :(
 
I also participated in a flashmob in Parque Kennedy as well. It was to raise awareness for the “One Billion Rising” campaign (Un Billon de Pie) which is a campaign that is dedicated to stopping violence against woman and children worldwide. It’s an awesome cause and I’m so glad I could be part of it (even though I couldn’t make the rehearsals and didn’t know the choreography…) Diana, the instructor I used to assist for at D1, lead the dancers and it was a fun day. 

Flash Mob Dance

Other than that, I don’t think much else has happened in my life. I spend my free days going to the pool (I joined the JW Marriot gym, and I have free pool access, yay!), working out and dancing. I am trying to fit more travel into my schedule but it’s tough since I work so much. I’m hoping to get some trips to Brazil, Ecuador, the Galapagos, and some other places in the next few months. I have been learning so much during my time here in Peru, and growing alot as a person. I can't believe I've been here over 8 months... time flies!

That’s all for now!