Image by meganpru
There is no better place to see Lima than at night. The sky is clearer, the fog has moved away and it is very peaceful. Many people are outside and the buildings look great when they are lit up. I highly recommend walking around the city at night, but make sure to go with a few friends just to be safe.
Lima, Peru | 2012
Image by Mananetwork
Here is picture from a church in Lima. The city is known for its churches and this is just one of many beautiful churches. The architecture and the design is really second to none and they look great inside and out.
Lima is a funny place for expats. We tend to find it too tame or too intimidating and it takes most of us at least a year to discover the city is really a happy equilibrium of the two. However, for better or worse, few of the global vagabonds that land in Lima last that long—I’ve seen more expats come and go during my first six months in Lima than I did in two entire years in Mexico City.
Why do internationally-inclined gringos treat Lima as a living layover rather than settling down for good? Here are a few of my best guesses:
Desert Surprise. Lima is the world’s second largest desert city… who knew?! Not many expats, that’s for sure. Many of us come from regions with ample green space and therefore find the endless expanse of dusty beige depressing. Additionally, the series of barren mountains separating Lima from the rich highlands are a bummer. They make weekend getaways difficult and bus journeys slightly terrifying.
Lack of Public Transportation. Lima’s lack of a proper transit system baffles me and many global expats. It makes city navigation difficult and discourages travel between neighborhoods (leaving many to wander aimlessly and endless around Parque Kennedy, just like the cats). The cheap combi system appeals to my own frugal nature, but its complete chaos can be frustrating. The recent announcement of plans for an underground metro in Lima are encouraging, but as it took decades to complete the first stretch, I’m not getting my hopes up.
Mini America. It’s a small world after all, a fact that displeases some expatriates. Lima is a modern city full of global brand names and fast food chains. Immigrants to Peru from North America or Europe looking for something completely foreign (mainly llamas and locals wearing traditional textiles) are sometimes discouraged by Lima’s contemporary wrappings and fail to look deeper to discover the city’s unique culture and traditions.
The Weather. Apparently, in July Lima averages only one hour of sunlight a day. ONE HOUR. I almost feel sorry for the newbies who arrive in summer and gleefully proclaim Lima’s weather is wonderful because, inevitably, as winter creeps closer their naive optimism turns to crushing disappointment as the fish-scented garúa seeps into their soul.
These are Lima truths. There is no denying traffic is horrible, there is too much sand and not enough sun, and KFC is almost as popular as Pardo’s Chicken. But those of us who stick it out realize Lima is much more than these surface realities. The bus system can be mastered (with a bit of time and effort), McDonalds can be a taste of home in a foreign land (even if you hate BigMacs), and the foggy winters only make the summer days that much more enjoyable.
So to my fellow expatriates out there: Stop treating Lima like a temporary lover, it is worth more than a few months. You just have to get to know it.
Laura’s been living in Lima year and a half and still loving it. When she’s not traveling she writes for a company specializing in South America vacations, especially Machu Picchu tours.
A Message from Amy Bakal This site is primarily about Lima, but I thought that in case anyone is interested there is a very special reading project in Cusco where they can just visit or volunteer. I would tell you briefly about it. I have been living in Cusco for almost 10 years and spend [...]
Watch Anthony Bourdain travel to Peru and interact with the locals. He learns about the culture and the food. He also gets a chance to visit the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. Video Rating: 4 / 5 Learn what clothes to bring for your Peru travels, and how to pack in this free Peru travel [...]
Lima – Perú Image by elrentaplats Lima’s metro It took a while, a quarter century to be exact, but on January 9th 2012, passengers on the metro traveled the entire 14 mile trip from Villa El Salvador to Lima, the capital of Peru. This completed project looks to quite beneficial for the Peruvian residents [...]
Cuzco is South America’s oldest inhabited city. It is a traditional Spanish city with beautiful architecture. The Incan stone foundations are still in place, and well as the Incan palace stones. The churches in Cuzco are also some of the beautiful in Peru and all of South America. These churches are especially beautiful at night. [...]
Jailed American Blocked at Airport Lori Berenson, a New York native, was blocked at the airport after serving 15 years in prison. The immigration authorities claimed she needed a document in order to leave. She was arrested in 1995 for terrorist activity after her house was raided by Peruvian authorites. Inside here house they found [...]
Here are some nice images: Lima – Perú Here is a fire station in Lima. This fire station is a vital part of the community as it helps keep everyone safe. The fire fighters in Lima are really dedicated to protecting the city. Image by elrentaplats Lima – Perú Here is a little boy in [...]
I usually post pictures of Lima, but here are some nice pictures from Cusco- another great Peruvian city. Museo de Arte Precolombino – Cusco, Peru Image by Mr.Fink’s Finest Photos Cusco is the unofficial capital of the Incan Empire. Here is a great overview of the city. Cusco is beautiful at night as well as [...]
The Mayor of Stamford Connecticut is hopeful that his city will become a sister city to Lima Peru. Mayor Pavia visited Lima and was impressed by the city and noticed many similarities. There are between 10,000 to 15,000 Peruvians living in the city of Stamford. Pavia said: “I just think there’s tremendous potential,” He also [...]
