In Memorandum: Lima

[Disclaimer: I still can't figure out how to make pictures appear larger on this home screen. Please click on a photo to view it larger. Most of the following look much more interesting when you can actually see what's happening.]





In honor of my leaving Lima for a few weeks, here is a list of things that I have found interesting about the city:


1. It took me two weeks in Lima to see my first Stop sign. It was at an intersection that also has a stoplight. The stop sign's only purpose is to remind people to stop at the stoplight. Every other intersection in this city of 8+ million people works like this:

Car, at left, is honking to warn the crossing traffic. Crossing traffic is honking to warn car at left.


Cars at left begin to go. Note that the crossing traffic is still in the intersection. All cars are still honking.


Cars, formerly at left, proceed.

Cars are now at right.

(Not sure if it's what they teach in driver's ed, but this is standard for crossing an intersection in Lima.)


2. Most dogs in Lima wear sweaters, and they also poop on the sidewalks. Each morning I walked around a few turds to get to work.


3. This is an official sign on the side of a sports field. I think it's telling me I can wrestle there, but maybe that I can defend myself, or maybe that public displays of affection are welcome and encouraged.



4. Because Lima's technically in the desert, stores do not carry umbrellas. Though Lima's technically in the desert, it mists most mornings.

5. As I've mentioned before, the streets are pretty clean. I think it's because the public trash bins look like space pods, and who doesn't want to fuel up a space pod?



6. When you don't understand something said in Spanish, the Spanish speaker will not get mad or laugh at your if you respond, "I'm sorry, I do not understand; could you please repeat?" That includes Gloria. Took me two weeks to figure that one out.

7. You know how you can't find Peruvian wine very easily in the States? That's because most Peruvian grapes are used to make a liquor called pisco. (Which as been described to me as Peru's official liquor.) Pisco is used to make the pisco sour, made of pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg whites. (That's what's on top.) Pisco sours = one and done, much like a MexMart from Trudy's.



8. I've heard from many-a-source that Peruvian ceviche is outstanding. Below was my first experience with it, and I wasn't super impressed. The glass pictured is allegedly milk from a tiger's teat, but I'm skeptical.





9. Speaking of food facts, the word marmalade comes from the Portuguese word for this fruit below, which in Spanish is called a membrillo. It tastes like a more sturdy, very green Granny Smith Apple. It's best added to apple pies or made into--surprise!--marmalade.





10. Yesterday at 4:30 p.m. Gloria walked out of her office and announced, "Y'all wanna get fat?" I turned, and she was extending to Ofelia and myself a bag of shortbread cookies she had bought downstairs. I laughed hysterically and then accepted.

11. The Copa America (America Cup) is happening right now in Argentina. For the rest of the world, outside of 'merica, this is a big deal. (BTW Copa America is South America's fútbol championship that lasts the entire month of July. This year, Mexico was also invited to join. Japan had been invited, until the earthquake made it impossible for them to attend.) In honor of the Copa America, here's a picture of Peru's National Stadium, which is under renovation:

12. My new friend took me to this awesome park with lots and lots of fancy fountains. Here are a few:



(That's a tunnel of water!!!)


Inside the water tunnel! Whoaaa! No wayyy!


(I wanted that couple in the front to do something cute so I could capture their silhouettes, but they didn't. Boooo!)




Hook 'em! (That's a water pyramid, btw.)

13. Most afternoons I practice Spanish by talking to myself as I walk. Usually takes me the whole block to realize the older gentleman seated at the end is watching me look crazy.


14. Peruvians celebrate Christmas in July!




(That was a joke.)

15. This is a street in the ritzy part of town, Miraflores, during the day:


This is Parque Kennedy, in Miraflores, at night:

16. In the gym, I confuse the other women because I'm the. only. one. not wearing tights. My baggy t-shirt and runners shorts make me look like a frumpy bag lady.

17. I sweat an extraordinary amount here. By the end of my runs, I look like I've swum laps. A couple of Peruvians have commented on it. It wouldn't even be so completely awkward, except that cheek-kissing goodbye is a little uncomfortable when your cheek is salty and slippery.

18. Below are photos some of the VW bugs I passed one afternoon over a one hour period. Statistically speaking, that means that there are approximately 6,000,000,000 VW bugs in Lima, Peru. Don't believe me? Ask your Stats teacher. It's science.





















19. Another, less popular, mode of transportation is the motorcycle-cart:

¡Viva Che!


20. Here is a church:


21. Here is a steeple:


22. Go to the park and see all the people!













23. Now for a picture book about Peruvian consumerism:

On the side of a magazine stand. Wouldn't it be weird to be you and have your face on the side of a magazine stand in Jesús Maria, Lima, Peru? It's mind-boggling to me.


As in the DR, white people make it onto the billboards of a predominantly non-white country disproportionately often.


Sometimes English words are fun!


Peruvians enjoy Transformers 3


And Cars 2. (I was discussing with a friend how Cars 2 got made--I thought the first one was boring, at best. He informed me that it's the franchise that sells, and therefore a Cars 2 would be lucrative. Then I saw above display and knew he was right.)


American fast food isn't too popular, but I'd venture to say KFC is the most so. (Did you spot the bug??)


Peru has Chili's, and they are just like American Chili's. They even have the same menu and kitchy signs inside. (Like "You bet your pepper I went to the Cook Off" or something hard to translate, like that.) My friends took me here "to make me feel at home." Awww!


Sex sells.
(LEFT: Sergio Makarián, Head Coach of Peru's National Fútbol Team on national news; RIGHT: package of underwear at a shop in the "authentic market" (See more below--of the market, not the Stripper))

And lastly, thankfully, some authentic "markets" still do exist in Lima:





Where I bought a pirated copy of "The Adjustment Bureau" aka "Agents of Destiny"




I'd been craving dried fruit...and the Lord provided!


Check out that melon!


After this the market got a little too Silence of the Lambs for my taste. There were huge pig skins hanging from hooks at the next booth over...I've seen pig heads on display before, whole carcasses even...but just the skin was a little much.


24. And, actually lastly, are some pictures of things I thought were pretty: