Happy New Year from Lima

Wanna party tonight?

My New Favorite Lunch Place

Incredible Pasta! Gotta go here again - and soon!
Another new discovery - 5 blocks from the house

A Fabulous Day

A whole day during which I took NO photos! But we were having so much fun, I didn't think about the camera. Our good friends Isabel & Ernesto (who we met here last year) came over and took us over to Clinica Good Hope to get signed up for medical insurance. Theoretically we are signed up but we have appointments for check ups in a couple of weeks, which apparently will determine whether they decide to accept us for the program, so I'll give you more information on it later. The hospital is a beautiful facility and the insurance person was very friendly and helpful.
The rest of the day was spent with Isabel and Ernesto, going for coffee, going shopping at the market, going to lunch and just generally having a really great time visiting with them again. We are so grateful to have such good friends here already.
Then in the evening we went to a party at the apartment of another new friend, Diana, who is not only a fascinating person, but also has many fascinating friends. So we had a really great time at the party and met a bunch of interesting people. And it looks like I have been invited to participate in a women's book club, which sounds like it would be great.
Much as we miss our friends at this time of the year, it's nice to know that we are getting to meet new people all the time.

My New Favorite Lunch Place

By the Park - Across the street from yesterday's ...

Afternoon Walk

My New Favorite Lunch Place

The 3 Dollar Lunch
Right on Arenales - 2 1/2 blocks from the house and we just discovered it today!

Amazon Peoples v Big Oil

Amazon Natives of the Achuar tribe together with Amazon Watch and EarthRights International have managed a significant victory in their long battle to get oil companies such as California’s Occidental Petroleum to both better care for the Amazon rainforest and compensate Natives for pollution.

The Achuar tribe numbers some 4,500 individuals that live on subsistence level in central-northern Peru and rely on fishing and hunting...

DIGITAL NATIVITY STORY

How things have changed over the last few years! Thanks again, Larry

Feliz Navidad

Merry Christmas to All Our Friends!

And Then the Walk

And Then There Were Desserts

Christmas Dinner Lunch

The three-Hour Christmas Day Lunch

Fireworks Everywhere!

Feliz Navidad

Muchisimo gracias a nuestra amiga Eliana y todo su familia. I am way too tired to say much more than that right now.

How Christmas is Done in Peru

Dinner, gifts and fireworks

Christmas Eve with family...

New friends can surprise you. Well one of our new friends invited us to join her family on Christmas Eve! Our new friend did not like the thought of us to spending this night alone, being that we are new to living in Lima. This should be fun! Being with a Peruvian family on Christmas Eve, having dinner at "midnight" and then watching everyone opening Christmas presents!

It's interesting how things happen...we have been wondering how does a Peruvian family celebrate Christmas? We will find out tonight. I will try to communicate with everyone with my poor Spanish. Our host does speak English so that will help. We plan to take lots of pictures. (to be continued,,,)

A new painting...

A new painting of mine. The first one in my new studio here in Lima.  I have to buy more canvas now. :-)

Over 76,000 Peruvians returned home

We've been meeting a lot of people who are returners, or as we're calling them, "backcomers," as opposed to "newcomers."

Peruvians prefer US, Central America for New Year’s eve

The grass is always greener.

The Menu

One of our favorite neighborhood sidewalk cafes. We go there for the menu (men-OO). The choices are written on the erasable white board and offer several first course options of salads and soups and several main course selections - usually at least a fish dish, meat dish, pasta and a few other things. This one is very popular with people in the area and costs 7.50 soles (less than $3 US). That includes a drink, which is usually fresh squeezed (cooked) apple juice or hierba buena, a nice tea like drink. As I was writing this, it occurred to me that I don't even know the name of the place. Actually I'm not even sure if it has a name.

Where to do Christmas Dinner

So after reading about the chocolate city at the Marriott, I started researching to find info on their famous buffet. Apparently they have an incredible lunch buffet and a "tea" (or lonche") buffet everyday and an even more incredible buffet on Sundays. I have to get some current information on prices, but it may have to go on the list of places requiring personal research! Meanwhile, I came across an article about their Christmas buffet from last year and remembered that some of the locals last year had recommended this one as the best in the city for holiday meals. I am thinking we may try it this year. Only trouble is, we need you to do it with us!

Chocolate City

Have to do lunch here - if not today, then very soon!

A Day that Ends with Chocolate ...

is pretty good

After the ceviche demo, a walk through busy downtown Miraflores and people-watching in the park on the way to our favorite late-night diner for chocolate y churros!

Ceviche Demonstration

Fun time tonight at the South American Explorers' Club for a ceviche preparation demo. We got to eat the end product, too.

 

Others in attendance were a documentary film maker, an archaeologist, a teacher, a photo journalist and a few travelers. Most of them were planning trips "home" for the holidays. Kind of made me feel homesick, but I didn't know for where.

View from My Window

My new "garden" outside my office window! We finished making it over morning coffee.

Top 11 Reasons to Volunteer in Peru

Whether or not you agree with the writer's perspective of the best reasons to volunteer in Peru in this article in this morning's "Living in Peru", he has some interesting comments about the country, along with some really nice photos.

Plans for the Evening

An essential part of Peruvian living..

Time to Get Mine?

Lima, Dec. 15 (ANDINA). Mobile telephony penetration in Peru will reach 97 percent of Peru's population by end-2010, telecompaper.com reported Wednesday...
 "Peruvian consumers are changing habits. Up to now, they wanted a handset that enabled intensive voice communication; now they opt for a handset with greater data transfer capacity together with voice capabilities".

Now if we could have a Metro system like Madrid's!

Madrid, Dec. 14 (ANDINA). The newly elected mayor of Lima Susana Villarán de la Puente was received by the president of the Community of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, during her visit to Spain to familiarize herself with the infrastructure management model and the formulas for public-private financing used in the Spanish capital.

Scene from Our Daily Walk

Colors of the Indian Market

A medical note...

I read about Medicaid not paying for a lot of things like dental, and transplants. If your out of work, a senior with a very small income, or have the need for Medicaid, it may be too late...no funds.

Medicaid cuts: teeth pulled, transplant called off

Christmas is Coming!

View from my Kitchen Window

Gene hung our beautiful lantern (Thank you, Dale!)
outside the kitchen window this morning.
Isn't it beautiful!
And look at my wonderful herb garden!

Christmas is Coming

View at our entry door

New Friends and Great Conversations

We had planned to go to the Christmas Show in central Lima tonight, but our friends Marilyn and Mike came over and the conversation over wine and sandwiches got so interesting that we forgot about the show. It's wonderful to have such interesting friends. I hope that Marilyn will continue to share some of her experiences and knowledge of Peru's history and culture with us. (Hope they didn't miss the last run of the Metropolitano, too).

Trying to Get Well

It's been a week or so now I think. Several people have told me that in a week or so I would be well. Actually the last couple of mornings I have awakened feeling good. But then a few hours later I start feeling crappy again. Definitely better though. Hideous cough remains, making me crazy. So I've been doing a lot of

WikiLeaks Made Easy

Since I've been feeling so crappy with this cold, I haven't done a very good job of keeping up with the news. Thanks to Larry for sending me this simple tutorial on the WikiLeaks.

Mario cries

The acceptance speech of Nobel prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa brings him and his audience to tears.
Be sure to watch the video clip at the end.

I'm excited about this

I just read that Peru is growing blueberries for the export market! Let's hope they're keeping some for me! I don't remember seeing them in the market, but will make a point to look next time I'm there. Blueberries have always been one of the first things I look for when we go to North America if they're in season. So many things are available here that didn't exist in Costa Rica. It just gets more and more exciting!

Why Didn't I Think of That?

Andina reports that more and more US students are studying in Peru and other Latin American countries. The news agency doesn't say much about the reasons for this increase except for the vague statement "to see what’s done in that region and know about ecotourism." It would be interesting to know if this is an indication of a broader world outlook among US young people. Whatever the reasons, what an incredible experience to go to a different country for college. When meeting young people who take off and travel the world over long periods of time, I am frequently struck by the realization that their lifestyles feel normal to them because they see their "personal world" as including all of it, rather than the small part occupied by their birth country.

Another Monday

Just 19 shopping til Christmas 2010. I haven't even made a list of what I would like from Old Saint Nick. This will be my 76th Christmas when I can become a kid again. Laurie says that I'm still 11! Maybe at heart, which is good as far as I'm concerned. Let's see what would I like for Christmas...1. Good health to all for the coming year. 2. New friends. 3. Visits from old friends. 4. A trip to someplace new. 5. News that all factions want peace. 6. More ideas for paintings 7. Lots of love, hugs, and kisses from Laurie. Well Santa, this is my list so far. I think I've been good this year.
Another great Monday!

Help!

Is anybody really out there???  I have a terrible cold and I feel terrible and I'm sick in bed and I need somebody to talk to me.

Day 8

I've advised him to keep the glasses on...

Most Peruvians use Public Transportation

More than 70 percent of Peruvians use public transportation  and traffic is still a disaster!

Medical Supply Shortages

Peru’s state health plan, Essalud, was criticized by the Ombudsman national office for shortage of supplies and long waits for surgeries

Day 7

The Ultimate Luxury

Coffee in Bed

Argentina!

Three blocks from our house - great Argentinian restaurant!

WikiLeaks from US Embassy in Lima

Interesting article from Living in Peru

Best Times to Visit

From now through April average highs run from 76 to 80; average lows from 66 to 69. Worst months: June to October, when the average highs are from 66 to 69 and the lows from 59 to 61. It's the 1st of December and I'm still wearing a jacket most of the time, but that's just me.

Pissed!

OK. Now I'm pissed. Remember the story about waiting for another customer to come along who would use her Ripley department store card so I could get the 2 for 1 deal on my sheets? Well, these tarjeta (card) deals are rampant here. Every store has special deals that can only be had if one has their card. So yesterday at the check out stand at Sodimac (think huge upscale Home Depot) they are offering Trapiche wines from Argentina for S./9.90. I pick up two of them and add to my purchases. I am asked for my Sodimac card. I don't have one, I am paying cash, I say. You can only have the wine if you have the card, I am told. I leave the store pissed, deciding that I will return another day to apply for a card. I will have to get cards from every store because I am missing a lot of really great deals. But I think, in most stores anyhow, it is necessary to be a resident to get the tarjeta. Not sure. Will ask. Rant over. My new bedroom blinds are beautiful. So is my dish drain rack and my bamboo cutting board. The cafe y postre was good, too. It was a good day.

Afternoon Cafe at the Mall

Oh, my God! The desserts in Peru are amazing!

Neighborhood Lunch Spot

Sidewalk cafe. Ceviche first then Frijoles con Seco for me and pescado for Gene. Includes a glass of fresh fruit juice - all for S./7.50 each (under $3 US)

The Holidays

I was thinking about this date Nov. 30th as sort of a fork in the road. One way points to Christmas and all that, that entails both secular and religious. The buying of gifts, sending cards, parties, the Christmas tree and all the trimmings, Advent, Christmas Eve services, Christmas day! wide eyed kids looking at all those packages under the tree, most for them. And more...

The other road points to a more laid back time of the year. Being an observer rather then a participant of Christmas. The older we get the more this path seems easier. Why bother with all that rushing around, buying gifts, putting up decorations, Christmas Eve service,  sure we will go to an open house or two. Wish everyone a merry Christmas, eat too much, drink too much. But all that other stuff- nah.

Which way to go? Or as someone wrote "Take a path less traveled" and that may make all the difference in the world. Do what gives us the most pleasure, the most satisfaction, the most happiness. Let you heart guide you during this special time of the year. Enjoy!!

So now it's rotating to the Other Eye

Good Morning

The Kats of Kennedy Park

Kitty Kats for Sister Sue again. 

Hard to resist these guys who live in Parque Kennedy.

Great Salads at Cafe Cafe by Parque Kennedy

Day 4 !

Did you notice yesterday that the bruise has dropped from the huge egg toward the top of his head down to his eye! Today it's even more so - it just keeps moving down and over!

How Peru Became the World's Counterfeit Capital

President Garcia says Peruvians sad by nature

This just in from the Washington Post:
LIMA, Peru -- Peruvians are a mopey lot. So says their president, Alan Garcia.

Sunday Afternoon-Progressive Pig Out!

Our friends Isabel & Ernesto joined us for a lovely Sunday food fest. Our first guests in our new home, they arrived with a bottle of sweet Peruvian wine to sip while taking the grand tour of the house and studio before lunch. We then proceded in their car to La Tabla for fruit drinks and an appetizer plate on the lovely terrace. Isabel took one look at the menu prices and decided they would introduce us to one of their favorite Italian restaurants in San Isidro.

So we continued on to the best restaurant find that we've had yet. Il Buon Mangiare is tucked away on the second floor of a nondescript building at the top of a set of narrow stairs. It is crowded with people who know good pasta at great prices when they see them. There is a waiting line at the top of the stairs to get in. It is worth it. Starting at 9 soles (a bit over $3 US) and topping out at twice that amount, the huge amounts of pasta are as good as they look. The personal sized pizzas run from 8 to 12 soles. We were surprised to discover that Il Buon Mangiare is a chain, with several restaurants spread around the area. We will return - and soon.

After stuffing ourselves with pasta, everyone agreed that there was still room in he "second stomach" so off we went to 4D for ice cream! This was followed by a stop at Isabel and Ernesto's lovely B&B to see the recent redecorating they have done and to have coffees! It was a full day and we had a great time visiting with our friends. We hope to be seeing more of them as time goes on.