Lima --> Cuzco

So here I am finally getting to the Alexis in Sud America part, up to now it's really been a misnomer, with all my time having been in Argentina! (Ok day trips to Uruguay and a week in Chile, but...)

So I got to Lima yesterday at about 9:30 and to the hostal by 10. I had made a reservation at the Augerge Miraflores House, in Miraflores, and had received the following note about taking a taxi:
Please we star the new season, and the airport always you will see alot of people, for that reason follow the instruction here to don’t make amistakes and will can a trouble for assault to you or charge more for theservices, before you cross the sliding doors of windows, you will see a lotthe people try to sold you a bus or taxi, don’t talk with this gays, because they will also try to sold you a tours, air tickets, Inca trails,really expensive, don’t do that, in home we can help you with everything, without commissions and lower prices, and if someone show ID´s don’t earthis gays and go to the counter, the counter Taxi Green give you a ticketwith the name of the driver and the name of the our lodge with the address ok, just go strait to the counter of Taxi Green identify yourself and tell to the people to bring you to Miraflores House, we will don’t put a signanymore with your names, because another people clones your names and you will be a big trouble, just you will see a sign of Miraflores House.

So I made friends with the taxi driver and told him the story of my mystery family and made plans to see him the next day at 4 in the morning for my flight to Cuzco. So when I got into the hostel I met Francis who runs the place and is a real character-immediately he intived me to join a group of people who were clearly travelling together to enjoy the city with them- I was like uh, no thanks! Then he was like Ok I want to take your picture for the wall, and I was like yeah I just got off a plane, no thanks! So he was like Ok, maybe later...Then he went to the kitchen to ge me some tea to drink, he was quite a frantic man, but clearly loves his job, he was so funny! I checked in and threw my backpack into a locker, called Chalie's phone and not 2 minutes later I was on the phone to Uncle Charlie and he was at my door with his wife Ana, so we went to their place and chatted a bit, then I headed out with Charlie for a tour of Lima, we went to the beach and through a few neighborhoods, then went back to his house to meet up with Aunt Mary and Ana again. What really struck me was the bright, bold colors used to paint the houses and the iron work around the windows, really beautiful!

Then we went to the club where Charlie belongs and was president for 6 years, and, being a British club, I ordered the fish adn chips-Oh my it was fantastic! I haven't eaten fish for like a year, so I was thrilled! I also tried ice cream made from a fruit (I can't remember the name! Begind with an L...) found only in Peru. It was pumpkin-colored and very nice. We talked about the family, Charlie's kids in Miami and Bristol, Mary's jobs translating for Hush Puppies and Ana's work as a teacher. After lunch we chatted a bit more, then I went with Charlie to Richard's house, where I met him and his family, and he also took me for a tour of the city, and his oldest son Lawrence joined us. This time we headed up to the old part, whch was so beautiful but whew! The traffic! We also went to the Gold Museum with all kinds of Incan gold and the guy who ran it was also a collector of arms and uniforms from South America. It was incredible, and a private collection, which made it even more impressive. After the city tour, and I am sure a huge ball of stress for Richard after having to drive through the rish hour traffic, we picked up his wife and other son and we went for lunche and I got to try the famous Inka Cola (tastes like bubblel gum) and a humita (incredible) and empanada. I also got to try a cookie called Lengua del Gato (Cat's tongue) and another desert, I can't rememebr the name, but very tradicional with dulce de lache (more or less) in pastry-I was definitley well fed yesterday!

After that, I was really exhausted, as I had gotten up at 4 in the morning, so I went to the hostel, took a shower and was in bed by 9 at night. Talk about a long day! Then I had told Francis, the guy att he hostel, that I was leaving at 4 in the morning and he had arranged to be there so that I could pay, and I set my alarm wrong so he was knocking on my door at 3:45 this morning! I packed and dressed in 4 minutes (no kidding I timed myself!) brushed my teeth and paid. He went to get the change and came back with that damn camera! So here I am, awake for 6 minutes and that's the picture I get on the wall!!! Oh well, I guess it will make me look like a rugged traveller..??) Anyway I walked with Fracis out to the cab and kissed him goodbye as you do in Argentina and he turned bright red and all shy and I was like eek! I guess that tradition doesn't translate... so I hopped into the car and we sped off. Then, the cab driver (don't rememebr his name...) was like "Y? La familia?" He was so excited to hear about my day with the family, it was great! So we chatted and arranged my pickup on Tuesday, then I shook his hand when I got out and checked in to my flight. I was going through the airport tax and the guy says "Hola, que tal?" and I say "Bien, gracias, y vos?" And he goes "VOS???" And I was like "Uh, estudio en Buenos Aires?" It was pretty funny.

SO I got to Cuzco bright and early at 7 in the morning, then here I am. I went to a church and got a tour this morning, now after this I am going to takea bunch of pictures and hopefully get them up soon, so I can have an empty card by the time I ge to Machu Pichu!