Life around Lima

Midterms were this week. I only had two. Both went really well I think, although i haven't gone back in my notes to check if I had the right ideas. There is no point, I will get my grades next week and then I'll know. Even though I'm sure I passed both!

This being so, my weekend started last Tuesday at noon, so needless to say I've had a lot of time on my hands. Ideally, I would have done some traveling, a 5 day weekend would be a great time to take one of the extended trips Serena and I are planning. However, Serena's experience at La PUC is a little different than mine. While I barely have any readings and two of my classes don't require that I take any notes, and one of those two doesn't require that I even come to the class. All 4 of Serena's classes demand huge stacks of readings and presentations and outlines, etc. She won't be done with her finals until sometime next week. I know my classes are easy but I still feel like my Spanish is improving immensely.

So, traveling solo was out of the picture. I decided to get to know Lima a little bit better. Wednesday I went and explored Miraflores (the ritzy, touristy part of Lima). I did a little shopping, bought a book (Cien Años de Soledad) sat in the park with a coffee and read. It was refreshing. I finally got to see El Parque de Amor, which I think is probably the most beautiful park I've ever been too. How wonderful Lima has a spot dedicated to love. And when I was there, there wasn't a single couple tackily making out on the benches!

Parque del Amor

Thursday I headed to the plaza close to the university in search of the DHL. See, I have these postcards for my friends and family that I've tried to send. Serpost, the Peruvian company is very unreliable. If I want the postcards to arrive before I return, this isnt a good option, however...that doesn't matter because the Serpost office is closed. So DHL was the other option. I spent 2 hours, asked 5 serenazgo guards and circled the perimeter of the Plaza San Miguel, and no luck. So, maybe the thought of the postcards is enough. So, Family, Grandma, Andrew, Cara, Ashley, Peter, Elizabeth, Lauren--I wrote you all postcards and letters on my badass stationary. Maybe oneday i'll find a form of shipping, but if not, just know i love you all.

Also, I've come to the conclusion that my stomach must be homesick. Yesterday for lunch I cooked myself a cheeseburger and french fries, then baked an apple pie from scratch, and while that was baking, i made fresh kimchi. It was actually cool to make the pie from scratch: the crust, the filling, and the whipped cream. As i was using the electric beater to whip the cream and sugar I finally realized "as i was whipping the cream" why they call it whip cream!! Instead of a frozen pie crust and apples out of a jar, everything was fresh, the apples crisp, and the whip cream extra sweet :)

Today, i plan on eating the Korean noodles I found at the Wong, just like the ones my mom buys in bulk. I literally squealed with excitement when i saw them at the store. But in general, I love the peruvian food here too, don't get me wrong. In Peru, there are three levels of grocery stores. The Wong has the widest selection and is the most expensive, the Metro comes next with things moderately priced, and Plaza Vea, where everything is its cheapest. I usually go to the Metro, but if you need something specific you'll have to go to the Wong. Funny though, they are all owned by the same company. Not funny actually, just typical.

I've also been expanding my music while I'm here. My roommate Moritz and I did a music exchange the other day. I am now the proud owner of many a German band. German electronic is pretty cool i must say. Also, i bought some bootleg mp3s from Huaraz, including Huyna--music typical of the sierra. The genre is pretty basic and all the singers sing in the same pitch. I thought at first it was just one popular artist, but its just the genre. Its funny actually, because their tone of voice sounds very whiney--hence huyna, but im sure there is no real link.

Well, I guess I now have a lot of recounting and catching up to do with all the places and things I've done in the past three weeks. Here goes...

The Fight

So, some of you may know, my roommate and Oklahoma friend Serena is obsessed with UFC and mixed martial arts. A couple weeks ago, we decided to go to an Inka Fight Club fight. We went with our friend Fernando (he was our Peruvian security detail) and two roommates Emeline and Carolina. The seats were pretty amazing, really close to the ring. Probably because the facility was small. We didn't actually have tickets when we arrived. This really small boy of 16 said he was fighting though, and he got 3 entrances for free. Some nice people also gave us a few tickets, so we were covered. The fighter, Benjamin, seemed fairly nice. We talked to him about fighting and if he was nervous, etc. In Breña, one of the toughest districts, they take boys off the street and teach them how to fight, so hopefully they will one day be able to make money and support themselves off of it. Or otherwise, they are just more dangerous in the streets.

Team Peru

Team Brasil

The matches were Peru v. Brasil. It consisted of mixed martial arts and Muay Thai. The fights began with junior league, which entailed Benjamin v. some other guy. To begin, little Benny didn't pound fists with his opponent and started talking smack to his opponent. Then, his opponent proceeded to kick his ass. The fight was called earlier because they were fighting dirty. After less than a round, the opponent was pronounced the winner. So he took of his face mask and did a bow, whatever. Then out of nowhere, Benjamin swings a right hook to his face. Then some other guy wants to beat up Benjamin. We were not very proud of our new friend.

Benjamin getting beat up!

The rest of the fights were interesting. Although it was more interesting to watch the people watching the fight. The entire thing was put on by the mayor of Breña. He was there with his wife, (tall, fake blonde, fake boobs, old but trying to be young, you know the type). Anyway, when things got heated in the ring, she would run up ringside and jump and scream. It was authentically hilarious. Also, they were giving away free t-shirts. You should have seen all the old men begging and repeatedly trying to get one. The fights were good, some better than others. Favorite/Creepiest part of the night...THE MAN WITH NO NOSE. Obviously is was broken in a fight, but the bandage that covered it lay completely flat against his face. Someone must have cut his nose off. The fights lasted until midnight, but they were entertaining to say the least.

Muay Thai...

has a lot of kicking

Be prepared...its NO NOSE! (see him, in the black, with the white square on his face)

Cerro Azul

The weather is getting cold here, I'm afraid to say, its actually winter. Everyday is overcast and humid as can be. The one cool thing is that the smog and pollution that coats the city reflects the light of the moon, so its never really dark here, it always looks like nightfall, even in middle of the night.

Serena, Moritz and I decided to make a quick trip to Cerro Azul before it got to cold to swim. Our roommate Georg had stayed there for two weeks before coming to Lima, and he talked about the dolphins and the sunsets and atmosphere. We headed out early Thursday and got there just in time to see the sun set. We got a nice and cheap hostel, and headed for the beach. Moritz brought his really nice camera with him so I have some great shots of the beach. We immediately started our hike towards the lighthouse.

Sunset at Cerro Azul

From there, you can see nothing but beautiful blue waves and hear the sounds of the water rushing up on the rocky shore and being filtered through the crevices of the stones. The sunset was unbelievable. We were right on the horizon line, and we watched as the sun slowly sank lower behind its ocean curtain and finally, beyond our line of sight. Its so easy to just imagine it continuing to sink, around the side of the earth and popping up on the other side, starting the day for the other side of the world.

Self timer attempt at the top of the lighthouse hill. (This picture involved us running towards my camera, which was balancing on a rock at the edge of the cliff.)

The next morning was overcast and foggy. We walked to the ruins that rest behind the city. They have never been excavated or explored, I guess Peru is drowning in such a wealth of ruins, they can't all be researched.

The ruins

The sun came out then, and it was nice to lay on the beach and get our legs wet. We also explored the pier and found a huge pelican.

Giant pelican

View from the pier

We only stayed for the afternoon, we had to make it back in time for a concert. As we were reluctantly leaving the pier, we spotted three dolphins. To my shame, we did cause a little scene, as we (meaning I) screamed "DOLPHIN!!" and then ran down the pier to keep up with them. It was pretty magical, seeing them in their natural habitat and not in a tiny Sea World tank, where people grab them to insure their kids get a touch. The dolphins swam right up to a group of surfers awaiting the waves. Then we lost them in the mix of wet suits and long boards.

Getting our feet wet

The dolphin!!

Sven Väth

That night we went to see Sven Väth in concert. Apparently a very famous german DJ. It was really fun. The Dj before Sven was actually better in my opinion. Sven is actually pretty old, but apparently high hey day in europe is not over. When he finally came on stage, we could tell it was high from his little puff of hair on top of his head, poor old guy is losing his hair. But his music was great to dance too. Half of us headed home around 4:30 or 5 in the morning, but the party went on until 10 AM. I guess thats just too hard core for me lol.

On the way home, i had a little surreal moment. Our taxi was speeding down the highway. It was nice, 4 lane and traffic free. I looked up to the right and there was a Cinemark. I looked to the left and a huge McDonald's sign was lighting up the sky. I felt like i was back in the United States. It made me sick to my stomach, thinking about being back in the industrial and commercial material world of the united states. I like taking crazy buses and walking to markets and living without air conditioning and eating whatever fruit is in season, milk that isn't enriched and doesn't have to be refrigerated. I mean i like the United States, but I'm thoroughly enjoying Peru and already thinking about the next countries I wish to experience.

Corre por el Agua 6k

Six kilometers is apparently the average distance children have to walk to get clean water. Two weeks ago, countries all over the world held a 6K run to raise money for Live Earth and their project to get more clean drinking water to children around the world.

The raise started at 9 in the morning and went around a few parks in along the coast in Miraflores. It was a really great way to get to see Lima. Also, the pre-run warmup presented by Gold's Gym was worth the entrance money in itself. It was the silliest "warm up" i have ever done. I couldn't help by laugh the entire time. Everyone took it so seriously, even the two half naked workout girls flanking the instructor. It was funny, but i didn't pull any muscles!

The route

Running along with a huge crowd of runners, 3,000 or something i think. I didn't think i would make it all 6K without stopping, i haven't really worked out in quite a while. But i did it! no walking! And I have a cool t-shit and medal to commemorate it.

This is what i looked like! and with my mandatory running shirt.

And finally...THE EARTHQUAKE!!!!!!

I had totally forgotten this happened. It was so surreal. A few weeks ago there was a 4.3 earthquake right off the coast of Lima. I woke up, thinking that i had to pee, I was about to get up and then the entire house started shaking!! I'm not sure how long it lasted, probably just a few seconds, but i was instantly awake and alert.

I wasn't scared, i wasn't really anything. I think the first tremor woke me up and therefore I was able to fully experience the second one. I didn't really register what happened, just went to use the restroom and my roommate was in the hall, freaking out. But still, its really cool to say I've felt an earthquake, at least for me, someone who doesn't live near fault lines normally.