Well, Here We Are!

Last night there were only 3 other people from the Expat Peru group who showed up at Como Agua para Chocolate. Nevertheless we had some nice conversation and drank too many margaritas (2 each actually, but I think 1 was enough). It's a very cool

OK

So just wait til tomorrow when the margaritas have cleared out of my blood and I'm thinking like a normal human being.

Como Agua para Chocolate

This is where we're thinking we will go this evening. Some of the people on the online group "Expat Peru" are meeting there. Hopefully we will meet some new and interesting people. We had heard of the place before and were intrigued by the name but didn't know where it was. Then on New Year's Day we walked through the park (de los Olivos) and stopped for wine and a bite to eat at Tanta and realized that Como Agua is right across from it. Have been meaning to go ever since so maybe tonight will finally be my chance.

A good ending...

Today was last day of the January Spanish classes. I was not sure if I would do well enough to go up the ladder to the next level of spanish class. I PASSED!! (just) The February classes start on the 3rd of Feb. I really have to study now.  But tonight we will clink our drinks together in celebration of a job well done for both Laurie and I. Laurie did very well in her Spanish class. 
Like Laurie said to me "It's about learning something, not about taking tests." 
Cheers!!

Just a Nice Day

Cuy - Que Rico!

The National Soft Drink

The Street Where We Live

I was just remembering that when we moved here we said, "just think, in a few months these big interesting, but bare, trees will be all green down our boulevard."  Guess what! That time is here! And it's beautiful.

Cuy!

Our friend Guillermo, at our favorite sidewalk cafe, has promised us cuy (guinea pig) for lunch tomorrow. He gave us a preview of tomorrow's lunch when we stopped by today!

Home of Ricardo Palma

This was one of the historical places that I meant to find and get to eventually. And then today we found ourselves walking by it. At first we stopped to admire the beautiful building. As we looked around we realized the plaque said that it was the home of the famous Peruvian writer (1833 - 1919).

Gene's been Craving Milanesa

But make mine Cordero Seco (lamb)!

So we got in this big conversation last night (on Facebook!) about milanesas and what they are called in English. Chicken fried steak or cutlets is what we all decided. And I was remembering

Another Cool Coffee Shop

Just discovered this one - and it's right across he street from the home of Ricardo Palma.

Sunday Afternoon

Little baby sandwiches, beer, and great conversation with the neighbors. Nice.

A Little Window Gardening

Birthday Dinner was Great!

Our Neighborhood Argentinian Restaurant

Happy Birthday to the Tall Guy!

Coming Soon!

It's true that, for various reasons, I haven't felt much like posting lately. Additionally I've been pretty busy with my other projects. But I'm still here. Learning and studying and touring our new city and walking and of course eating and drinking and photographing everything in sight! So you can expect some major updates with photos real soon - like for sure something during the next week - as soon as I catch up on a couple of other things.
OK. Inspiration is returning. More later!

Flamenco!

We went to a great Flameco performance tonight at ICPNA (Instituto Cultural Peruano Norte Americano) - where our Spanish school is. They put on concerts or some such event nearly every night. The price is usually 30 soles. There is also an art gallery - and probably a bunch of other stuff I haven't found yet. The center is huge.

Busy day. Doc appointment for Gene, then some walking around, breakfast, watching other people work ... tonight - flamenco!

Summer time and the living is...

Easy. Yep the liv'n is easy. If only those bad vibes from U.S. about Social Security can be stopped. 
Well we will keep our fingers crossed and hope sounder minds will prevail and keep SS safe from cuts.

Ayahuasca

So we went to Barranco to this super fancy bar to meet the folks from ACAP (American and Canadian Association in Peru). Really neat place. It was fun to get over to Barranco in the evening. As always it's really hard to meet new people and have conversations in this kind of environment. But, I think, worth the effort. I think I need to re-wire my brain to be able to do a better job of it. (We left when the music got so loud that we couldn't talk)

Street Music

Emergence of Color

Gene has been busy in his studio. I love his latest abstract!

Off to the clinic...

I will miss my Spanish class today. Have an appointment with the ear Dr. at our new clinic Good Hope. We will be card carrying members on the 20th when we get our gold cards. It's health insurance with this clinic/hospital.
Gene

MALI not RIBS not

So we had agreed to meet Esther and Steve after class and take a combi to MALI (Museo de Arte de Lima or Lima Art Museum). Then we realized that, like most museums and such, MALI is closed on Mondays.

Sunday, Sunday ...

Nice Sunday. Walk to the Panaderia Buen Gusto to have desayuno (breakfast) with our friend Eliana, downtown for a walk through the park to look at the art, salads for lunch downtown. Beautiful day.

Causa

Can you believe this isn't dessert?

Empanada

Usually for breakfast - good any time!

Coffee before Class Place

Birds in the Kitchen

These two guys flew right in - and then couldn't figure out how to get back out.

Clinica Good Hope

The hospital where we have our insurance is beautiful

Where We Buy Coffee

Day in La Punta

Fun day with our friends Esther & Steve (Gene's classmate). Combis (2) to La Punta on the far side of Callao (the port), tour of Fortaleza Real Felipe - (somewhat interesting if you're into the history; probably fascinating if you're into military history and equipment), incredibly delicious fresh seafood at a busy small neighborhood restaurant, a walk around gawking at the interesting old architecture.

Not the Usual Wonderful Peruvian Service

“There are too many North Americas moving here these days.” This from our waiter after I had waited nearly an hour for my “frappe de cafe frio,” (iced coffee) and then received a hot cappuccino, which I patiently explained

Walking around Limo Centro

Took the Metropolitano bus to Lima centro and walked around Plaza San Martin and Plaza Mayor. Beautiful day. Have to go back another day to do the tour of the Presidential Palace and other buildings and see more.

Fast Food Breakfast on the Way to the Metro

Good Day

Medias lunas para desayuno mientras caminando a clase. Cafe y churros con amigos Esther y Steve despues el clase. Un paseo en Plaza Hogar buscar una mesa para el patio/alley pero no encontramos. Una visita a la podologia para Gene. Almuerzo en un restaurante italiano favorito. Pasta y vino! A good day.

A Little Gardening Today

Found It!

Been looking all over for this cool corner sandwich place near where we lived last January. Walked past it last year. Never got around to eating there, but they have every kind of sandwich and fruit drinks and frappes and ... Still haven't got around to eating / drinking there, but at least we know where it is now.

Walk to School

We love walking in our neighborhood. This is from our morning walk to school. Today we were fascinated by the guy who was meticulously polishing the fire hydrant.

Volver a la escuela

Back to basics....Spanish that is. First day. It's a short walk to the Instituto Cultural Preuano Norte Americano. It's a mad house of students. I think Laurie took some pictures to show. I figure out what they give the teacher, like an apple. Maybe an empanada. (sp)

Students Again-at ICPNA

Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano

We registered for Spanish classes today at the Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano. It's a 6 block walk in the morning and classes are from 8:45 to 10:15, which should work pretty well, getting us going in the morning, stopping for empanadas on the way, most of the day left for doing other stuff. Classes start tomorrow, so we may be getting a bit busy again now.

Places to Visit-Lima Museum of Art

One of the places we need to visit pretty soon. This fascinating place is easy to get to from where we live - one combi ride. They have tons of events and classes in addition to the art displays! Click the underlined red text above if you want to read more about it.