Since I’ve started blogging, many of you have shared with me things you’ve learned about Peru online; some of you have even bought books about Peru! I hope this is because you are trying to plan a trip to come and visit Charlie and I. If not, let’s use your researching skills and have a fun little contest.
The Challenge:
Come up with something for me to do for an afternoon in Lima.
I’ve been bopping all around the city exploring and am always open to new suggestions. The world is my oyster and you guys can help me explore it! If you come up with an appropriate idea, please post it in the comment section of my blog for all readers to see.
I’ll choose the best (and most feasible) three ideas to do. I’ll take pictures and notes and tell you all about it in a future blog post. The three contest winners who come up with the best ideas will receive a postcard from Peru (I know it’s not much, but it’s really expensive to mail things to the States).
Here are a couple things to keep in mind.
I have a guide book that has many of the museums, churches, tourist activities, etc., and am looking for something off the beaten path. Although, if you think you’ve found something that I might not have heard of or considered, suggest away!
- Let’s keep it under 100 Soles or $30…don’t want to go broke from this!
- Make it specific…if you suggest a cooking class, find the class and tell me where and when to go. I know there are a bunch of cooking schools in Lima but would like specifics. So rather than suggesting “take a cooking class,” try “Thursday, 7 PM, at Pepe’s Cocina, there is a class on making Tamales.”
- I’m not looking for a big commitment such as a job, or a class that meets more than once. Just an afternoon, or full-day activity.
- Let’s try to keep it fairly safe too…something I can do on my own or with a girlfriend. I live in San Isidro, Lima, and my Spanish school is in Miraflores, Lima. While I’m perfectly willing to venture from here, Lima is large and some areas can be very sketchy, so let’s be careful.
- Charlie, I’m not attending finishing or etiquette school. Sorry. Please do not suggest that again.
Hints….
*Here are two ex-pat websites that have information about Lima. They also have forums where you can ask questions of other ex-pats who live in Lima.
Expat Peru
South American Explorers- Lima
*There is also a Facebook page for Peru ex-pats.
*There are plenty of websites relating to tourism in Peru…I’ll let you find those on your own.
Google Translate can help you translate webpages from Spanish to English so don’t let language be a barrier.
Buenos Suerte!
-Posted by Danielle L. Krautmann, 19 March 2010
Easy, and this is cheap. Take a 10 Sole cab ride to the Point in Callao. Swim around San Lorenzo Island (~15 miles)…I know, its not the English Channel (21 miles), but I bet the currents are more fierce. While swimming you will be treated by encounters with Sea Lions, Dolphins, and the Peruvian Navy if you get too close to the island.
ACEPTO SUGERENCIAS
Go to the Canta Rana and eat ceviche or anything else that is there. I know this sounds boring but it is soooooooooo gooooooooood. It is in Baranco, which is close to your Spanish classes. Next, go to the nearby pharmacy and try to by Malaria pills. Make sure to use broken spanish, non of this good stuff you have been learning. I want to see if you also end up with birth control like I did. The latter can be done at any pharmacy on any day.
Cheers,
Kendra
Funny you mention that. My first month here, I went to the pharmacy to see if I could easily get the same birth control I took in the states. I walked up to the counter and said slowly, “Yo necesito medicina.” (I need medicine). The clerk asked me “por que?” I thought really hard for a minute, realizing I didn’t know the word for “birth control.” Finally, I replied “Por que, no quiero ninos ahora.” The clerk laughed, but knew exactly what I was talking about!
I haven’t been to Canta Rana yet, but just might check it out!
This sounds cool and not so touristy, a guy that I work with from South Africa recommended this, “local review of traditional music with time to dance yourselves. Excellent. Book ahead of time and make sure that you have VIP tables facing the band. (Tables JKLMN, or possibly tables EU). Share with a table of eight (but tickets booked individually). Show and office old part of Lima Jr Wakulski 168 Lima 1. Aim Friday or Saturday night shows, 09h45 to 02h00 or 03h00. Plan to stay, gets better as the night goes on. Cost 58 soles per person. Snacks and drinks service available. Book at Wong or at office but make sure that you get the right table (suggest maybe go to office and choose your seats. http://www.brisasdeltiticaca. I have enjoyed the show four times.”…I will pay if you book it!
Charlie, what a great idea! But are you really trying to hard to get a postcard from me?
6 hour bike tour of Lima. There aren’t prices or a schedule listed on their page you have to contact them and tell them when and how many people are in your party, but it seems legit and they do bike tours all over Peru anywhere from half day to 4 days if you decide you’re into it. It looks like a good way to meet active outdoorsy folks. This is the link for the half day Lima tour, It goes through San Isidro Miraflores and Lima Centro and it says they’ll pick you up at your place and arrange it so you’ll end up back at home. about 30kms.
http://www.cicloturismoperu.com/limacity.htm
It’s also linked through that expat page you posted under Living in lima >socializing >expat sports> cycling
Excellent idea.
Is there a deadline for entries? I’m going to think of something good!!! 🙂
April1st. Don’t get me killed.
I wanted to see the Parque de las Leyendas when we were there, but we missed it. It’s supposed to be a pretty cool zoo with lots of native Peruvian animals.
Along with Kendra’s suggestion, you could just see how much delicious ceviche you could eat in a day, and also go to El Muelle (just a block or two from Canta Rana). Man, I’m missing Lima now!
In order to be feel more like a local, you need a sports team. Alianza Lima is playing a “football” game at home in the La Victoria section of town on April 3. The stadium is about 4 km from San Isidro. The match is Alliance Lima against University of Peru.
(There is also a home match today in three hours, but you might not make it in time!) Check out the site for the details. Have fun!!
http://beta.oleole.com/footballresults/matchreport/alianzalima-universitarioperu030410/ml8qki.html
This is an idea that is not only useful, it might save your life: Find the Good Hope Clinic in Miraflores. On my second of three trips to Peru, I had just had a pacemaker installed (marcapaso in Spanish). My doc reluctantly allowed me to travel, giving me stern warnings about not straining and staying out of the water (buzzzt!). The wound began oozing after a few days in Peru and I knew I had to do something like RIGHT NOW! The wife (a Peruvian) and I had a minor disagreement about how to find a doctor, so I set out on my own, walking until I found a cop. I asked him where a clinic was, explaining what I needed. He gave me directions and off I went. For 60 soles, (about $20 US), I saw an actual cardiology specialist and he fixed me right up, explaining that if it got infected, the whole shootin’ match has to come out and get RE-implanted on the opposite side. I called my cardiologist using Skype and he verified everything the Peruvian doc had told me.
So, find either that clinic or one of equal quality close to your house BEFORE you need it. By the way, I have found your blog entertaining and articulate. You have a great ability to relate experiences.