I am so moved by all of your comments – I have read them over several times, and I don’t think I can thank you enough for your support and love. Kris and I are settling well; it was difficult to switch gears so quickly from culture to culture, let alone the trauma of the earthquake.
Before the big rumble, however, we had the best vacation of our lives. Trying to sum it up in a blog post (or a couple) is nearly impossible. I can share photographs and a few anecdotes, but the truth is, it was more amazing than a two-dimensional picture… so much more.
Kris and I flew to Lima, Peru, via Miami, Florida. We got in around 4:30am, and decided to catch a few “zzz”s before we got a little tour of Lima. We stayed at a little hotel near the airport, and had a “traditional English breakfast” (bread, butter, and tea). Around 10am, our tour guide, Rosario, picked us up and we got a whirlwind tour of the capital city.
The Plaza des Armas is the large square in the middle of Lima. On the square is the Presidential Palace, and just off the square was the highlight of the day: the Catedral de San Francisco.
It is quite lovely, yes, but what’s underneath is even more interesting…
The catacombs! The bones were arranged by archaeologists who found approximately 20,000 different bodies (or fragments) under the cathedral’s floors. The wealthy people in Lima would pay the Franciscans a high price for this burial (even though there were remains were not kept in tact) during colonial times. Some of the remains date back to the 17th-century.
Girl and pigeons outside of the cathedral
Lima is the layover city – you have to go through to get to any other city in Peru. It is not the most appealing city in some ways: it is “always overcast”, according to our guide, and never actually rains. A sort of smog just sits over the city. However, there are some pretty places in the gray city: Miraflores is the Pacific-coast neighborhood, well-known for its Parque del Amor… you can guess where it got that name.
El Beso (The Kiss) by Victor Delfin
**If you wanna see the pics before I blog about them,
check out my Flickr page!**
Tomorrow: AMAZON!
I saw your pics on Flickr earlier today – WOW!
It looks like it was an amaing time – I look forward to hearing more about it.
I was so moved by your story yesterday. I know I don’t “know” you, but you know how it is when you read someone all the time, you feel like you do know them, and I was worried, and happy when I heard you guys were safe. Looking at your pictures, I am reminded of how old South American culture is. My anceestors were living in shacks and what was going on down there!? Amzing! The catacombs are haunting! Can’t wait to see the rest of your pics. Can’t imagine what it’s like being back home and safe. Surreal.
Oh, this is going to be great! I love vacation pictures, especially of places I may not ever get to visit. Thank you for sharing these!
Lovely pictures, Lolly!! But that breakfast was what the English call “continental”. “Traditional British” breakfast is actually baked beans, fried tomatos and mushrooms, bacon and eggs and cold toasted bread – you got the better deal! :-d
I love the photo of the two of you kissing in front of the statue – it is very sweet.
Glad to hear you were ok after the earthquake. It looks like a great place to visit.
I spent a week in Lima for work – our office was just around the corner from the park. Indeed it never rains there – the office library was literally outside with no roof. Can you believe it?? My coworkers laughed at me for carrying an umbrella around.
Looking forward to reading more!!!
It seems like you had a great holidays, Lima is beautiful!
Amazing pictures. I have always wanted to go to Peru — you know Paddington Bear is from Lima! And as for the overcast skies, I do recall Paddington referring to “darkest Peru.” Hmm, I seem to be getting all my geography from a stuffed bear. How terribly sad.
Gorgeous phots Lolly!!!
Lima looks beautiful, and I love the shot of you and Kris together too. =)
(btw – you look GREAT!)
Your pictures are beautiful. Isn’t that little girl just adorable!!!
Wow, Lima really is grey. Your pictures are beautiful, I can’t wait to see ones from the Amazon!
awwwww…that last picture left me with a big smile!!!! the architecture is amazing and those catacombs must have been incredible to see!
Fun fun fun!
I can’t wait to see the rest! (I’ll wait though, I’d like to get the play-by-play…)
So glad you’re safe! It looks like you had an amazing time before the earthquake. Can’t wait to read the rest.
I have been enjoying your blog for quite some time and was excited about your trip,looking forward to hearing about your experiences. While out of town (away from my computer) I heard about the earthquake. My thoughts and prayers were with you and Kris. So relieved to get back this morning and read that you both are all okay. I love your blog. You are interesting and inspiring. You’ve almost convinced me tht maybe I also can knit a sock. Something I’ve been wanting to do but the dpn’s scare me. Take care. Looking forward to many more posts
I looked at all the pics on your Flickr yesterday, and I have to say it looks like you had the trip of a lifetime!
Great pictures! I’ve been enjoying your Flickr stream the past few days
Amazing beautiful photos! I looked at all of them. It was as if I were looking through a travel book on Peru. Your logging and journaling everything opens up a whole new world about this other civilization that most of us never get to see or experience. I am sure that being there can make you more of aware of how spoiled we are here. I for one feel like that now after reading and seeing your entries. You and Kris took one heck of a trip. I admire you both since I am much too chicken to go the distance. I would be one of those that probably would come down with malaria or something. Thank you so much for bringing all this back for us to see.
Beautiful photos. I had to smile at the little girl feeding the birds. Some forms of entertainment are just universal! =-D
Lima looks so bright and colourful despite the grey skies.
I am a little behind on my blog reading, so this is a little late.
Nevertheless, I am happy that you and Kris both are back home safe and sound. I have been peeking at your pictures on Flickr, and cannot wait to hear all the details of your travels.
hi lady, i’m catching up here too and am so excited to read all about your trip! peru has been high on my list of places to visit *forever* and until i go, i will experience it vicariously through you
xo
It’s looks like a beautiful trip and most gorgeous pics of the city. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Hi! I’m going to LIma for a week. I love beading jewelry. Website aren’t helpful as to where I can get typical peruvian beads, silver, etc. Any tips?
[...] Catedral de San Francisco Catacombs Image by LollyKnit The bones were arranged by archaeologists who found approximately 20,000 different bodies (or fragments) under the cathedral’s floors. The wealthy people in Lima would pay the Franciscans a high price for this burial (even though there were remains were not kept in tact) during colonial times. Some of the remains date back to the 17th-century. Blogged here [...]
[...] Catedral de San Francisco Catacombs Image by LollyKnit The bones were arranged by archaeologists who found approximately 20,000 bodies (or fragments) under the cathedrals floors. The wealthy people in Lima would pay the Franciscans a high price for this burial (even though there were remains were not kept in tact) Blogged here [...]