Michel met us at the Lima Airport, where we stored our luggage and backpacks so we could enjoy a city tour. Francisco Pizarro founded Lima, the capital of Peru, in 1535. As our van wound its way through this crowded city, located in the centre of Peru's desert coastline, we were unable to keep our eyes open, although we did try to make sure at least some of us were awake for our tour guide. At one point, she actually told me to pay attention - now I know how my students feel!
We enjoyed the main Plaza de Armas with its bright yellow buildings, the impressive statue of Francisco Pizarro on horseback, and the Moorish influence of the covered wooden balconies - still in tact after disastrous earthquakes. We also visited San Francisco, a Franciscan church and monastery famous for its catacombs. We were led deep underground to this site of an estimated 70,000 burials, where we passed by many bone-filled crypts featuring very artistic displays of femurs, skulls etc. Many of the crypts were not even covered with glass and I suddenly felt very claustrophobic and feared an earthquake would bury me in this Halloween nightmare!
Our next site was Pachacamac, 31 km south of Lima, an important Incan site and major city when the Spanish arrived. It predates the Incas by 1000 years as a ceremonial centre. En route to this ruin, we passed many shanty towns, which lack electricity, water, and adequate sanitation. These very poor people come from other parts of Peru, particularly the highlands, searching for a better life and opportunities for their children. These people often work as street vendors and chances of improving their life are very slim.
We had a free afternoon in Miraflores, one of Lima's most important shopping, entertainment, and residential areas. As we were coming back from our shopping excursion, it was rush hour and the buses were lined up along the street (there are no subways because of the earthquake danger). Each bus had a bus-wrangler who was hanging onto the side of the bus, shouting out destinations. I took note of a wrangler on one of the approaching buses and thought how tired and worn he looked. Was he from one of the neighbouring shanty towns? Was this his way of trying to improve his family's living conditions? How many hours did he work in a day? This wrangler suddenly looked up and our eyes locked. He smiled a little; I smiled a lot; he smiled a lot. This unexpected soulful connection was an unguarded and honest expression of love, concern, and friendship and was one of the most memorable moments of my adventure to Peru. This exchange of smiles and friendship reminded me of Mark Twain's quote, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness". How fortunate I am to have had this amazing travel opportunity to grow and learn as a person.
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