Lima, Peru – life and colour

Well what a city – I guess I was expecting a bit less from Peru’s capital and most populous city.  One third of the country’s 30 million people live here as it is growing at an alarming rate as people (usually very poor) from the country or mountains come to the big smoke to work.  Remember you can click on any of the pictures should you want a larger view.

Peru has had a somewhat chequered political history and they are certainly glad that is behind them.

Lima is elegant, with charming inhabitants and plenty to do.  We’re here in the summer – they only have two seasons: summer and winter, so although it was bright and sunny for us, it is grey for many months of the year – we were told this is the reason the buildings are so colourful.

Plaza Mayor de Lima

Apparently in winter there can be some rather odd smells that hang over the city – the Incas knew that and that is why they were happy to the Spaniards to settle in this spot.  The rainfall is minimal (13mm of rain a year), but every now and then the city is affected by El Nina which influences both temperature and rainfall.  Water is sourced from Rimac River that flows from the Andes.

There is much pomp and circumstance around the Presidential Palace and we were there for the weekly changing of the guard with the horses and guards in full regalia - thousands flock to see it each Sunday - though there were police on hand in case there was a protest.

Changing of Guard Lima

It was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro – who is also buried here.  Although much of the architecture is from the 16^th and 17^th centuries, the city has been damaged by earthquakes over the years and this means that many structure that appear to be stone are actually wooden as its flexibility withstands the ‘quakes better.  It has been a UNESCO world Heritage site since 1988.

Cathedral of Lima - some the structure is wooden

Wooden Ceiling in Lima's cathedral c 16th C

The food in Peru is described as the best in South America, and our sample certainly reinforced this.  Apart from the national drink Inca Cola – it’s super sweet and has a vague pineapple and banana flavor to it; Paul of course loved it.

Inca Cola - does it glow in the dark?

The other national drink is Pisco Sour made from a grape brandy mixed with lemon/lime juice, egg white and bitters.  Ceviche (raw marinated fish) is known worldwide but they are also fond of chicken – the popular chain Norky’s has a certain meaning to Australians – wonder what their chicken breast burger is like??

Norky's Chicken chain

Moving on from downtown Lima is the coastal resort area of Miraflores.  Abundant with 5* hotels, swanky shops it also has a multitude of public parks and beaches.  Probably the most famous park is the Park of Love modeled on Gaudi’s Park Guell in Barcelona

Park of Love, Miraflores, Lima

Another view of park in Miraflores, Peru

but there is also Kennedy Park where the local cat population is encouraged to remain, where they are pampered by local cat lovers – nothing like the cats of the Coliseum in Rome.  Miraflores is the playground of Lima and families flock to the beaches and paragliding is popular.

Lima is also home to the oldest University in the Americas, San Marcos University founded in 1551 and they take their education very seriously.  Both the Monastery of San Francisco and the Cathedral of Lima have extensive libraries with items in many languages dating back to the 16^th C.

Library - Cathedral of Lima

Of course there are many thousands of people who live in pueblos jovenes on the outskirts of Lima  but this not prevent the city from being a lively and elegant cosmopolitan capital.  Two days was not enough…