Lima by Day

So today I went out and explored the beaches and areas on the coast of Lima a little bit since I had some free time.  First things first since I'm too lazy too figure out how to post photos to this blog you have to go look at the photos that I have on Ofoto to accompany this post.  Sorry about that and maybe one day I'll fix that, but for now you can be happy that I even have photos.  If you are reading this and don't have the link to the photos as I only sent it to the handful of people I know are probably reading drop me an email and I'll send you the link.  So the first few photos are the view out of my manager's flat looking directly west to the ocean and the immediate area.  Keep in mind that his place (2 Bedroom, 2 story) is running about a $1K a month.  A pretty good deal if you ask me. 

From there we went to Barranco to see the surf area and check out what the other manager was up to (he's learning to surf).  It seemed a lot easier to surf here than it does back home that's for sure.  I think the main reason I didn't do it today was because it was very crowded and the big concern is where one puts there stuff.  If I was to go out I would likely cab over and I don't have anywhere to leave anything.  So the options are few (ie walk down with nothing and just the shorts/wetsuit) or go down with a car and lock everything up.  I didn't realize that bodyboarding was as big a deal as it is and I think I would like to eventually try that as it seems slightly simpler than surfing.  After checking out Barranco we caught a cab back to Miraflores. 

In Miraflores we walked around and checked out a few surf shops (all of which were closed).  We started walking back to Larcomar of which I took a number of photos, but I don't think any really capture the architecture (since I wasn't floating out above the ocean).  However, I did find one perfect one for you to look at and understand what this place is like.  Looking at this photo the restaurant that we ate at, which I thought was somewhat reasonably priced (if not the food then the drinks...6 bucks for a pisco) was kind of towards the left and right at the edge of the complex.  We had a nice table as you can tell from the photos right outside with a great view.  In the photo all the way to the right (about where it turns from grey to wood finish) is where Tony Roma's is.  I couldn't believe that a place like that could have a location like that.  I figured a location like that would go to something much nicer. 

So now for the part you guys are always waiting for (well that's what I like to tell myself)...the observations of the day.  First we were walking through Miraflores to Larcomar and I noticed here plus anywhere else that every home/apt building has a big wall in front.  The wall is then usually double spiked (spikes pointing down, pointing up, and on the inside pointing down in case you get in and then try to get out.  A few places had gone one step further and had employed high voltage fences.  Never seen that.  Another interesting thing I noticed was that the terraces were well utilized with nice furniture, which led me to ask what about when it rains.  I love the answer.  It doesn't.  Apparently it doesn't rain in Lima.  Not right now or in this season.  Ever.  According to Wikipedia the average rainfall is 0.3", the lowest of any large metropolitan area.  I have never heard of a place where it doesn't rain.  I know that there is Death Valley, etc. but in terms of normal places I don't think I have heard of this.  Maybe I'm the only one that this baffles.  It's the opposite of Singapore.  In Singapore you know that it's always going to rain without fail once a day.  Here you know that it's never going to rain.  Also when it does rain it's like a few drops or a mist.  Not even a drizzle just an occasional drop.  I was walking along the other night and I felt one.  I looked around wondering is someone joking?  Is someone shaking a cup or wet plate above me? 

There you have it.  I owe a post on last night and will probably work on that now.