Already?...really?

Made it here (by here, for all those who don´t know, here is Peru) all safe and sound. The flights were long and boring, I´m sure we all know how much of a pain air travel is, I don´t have to say anymore. It is my second day in Peru (currently in Miraflores, a suburb of Lima and right next to the ocean) and I think we are starting to settle in nicely. And when I say we, I mean my friend Emily.

The first day was a blur, a surreal blur. At this point, yesterday feels as though it were a month a go. Yesterday offically started when we got off the plane in San Salvador and got on our connecting flight to Lima. I woke up to the stewardesses (anyone know the p.c. term for ¨stewardess¨?) speaking Spanish and everyone nodding along all the while Emily and I are looking at each other with that whole ¨We´re not in Kansas anymore toto¨look. We were moving so fast to get to our connection I barely remember anything beyond trying to find the gate and thinking I should have started taking Spanish much sooner.

Upon arriving in Lima, the first thing I see are shanty-towns next to the airport, a contradiction of sorts. Utter and absloute poverty next to the hustle and bustle of Lima international. From that and other things I´ve seen, it seems that South America is much more honest about their poverty and state of living. Home we hide poverty behind names, Tenderloin, Mission, ¨Other side of the tracks¨; here they are honest about it. Dilapadetd buildings with peeling paint and saftey bars are across the street from cosmopolitan casions (which there are a suprising amount of) and attractive high-rises. Yes, I realize I´m rambling at this point, I´ll get it all wrapped up.

Let´s just say Peru is everything and nothing I´ve expected. I feel safe in a way, staying out in Miraflores, the bohemian part of town, art, cafes, expensive restaurants, pretty people; Miraflores feels like Europe, don´t take this as me complaning or anything, just a mere observation. We went out to Lima centro today and it was more what I expected of South America, beautiful buildings, bright colors, history combined with modernity, poverty paired with extravagant markets and shops. The city looks grimy and dirty but underneath it all is something beautiful and rare. Words can´t express how much I can´t wait for tomorrow.