Lima

For reasons I may outline in the next entry, my stay in Lima extended the typical airline layover or two day in-and-out of most travelers...In many ways, Lima seems to mirror the course of "development" in urban centers all over the world. The developed, rich areas are marked by intense westernization...McDonald's, KFC, Papa Johns Pizza, Chillies and several local varieties mimicking the "fast food" concept..so clean you could eat off the floor. These corporate giants move in with more foreign capital than local businesses will see in 20 lifetimes. Oh, but this globalism concept "is leveling the playing field" we say...(please note the sarcasm). While outside these oasis´ neighborhoods are endless sprawls of half-finished construction and semi-permanent housing.

As a tourist, its difficult to get of the beaten path, and judging by the youth hostel culture of drunken experience and travel flings, it seems to not be the goal of many. Ironically though, the stories of "encounters with locals", exotic illness, and uncomfortable bus rides flow grandiosely and competitively between travelers while inside the walls of hostel comfort. Its a culture I have a hard time wrapping my mind around.

I managed to find a Norwegian girl who´s studying for a year in Buenos Aires...together we explored the city, taking a tour to the top of a mountain to view it from high, the National Museum and piles of bones under the Cathedral to see its past, and walks in the city to enrich our understanding of its present. Still it was difficult to leave the prosperous streets of western Lima. One afternoon, upon unknowing crossing in to a neighborhood that seemed to finally resemble something of greater cultural intrigue...streets full of the everyday impoverished bystanders of modern development about their everyday livelihoods, sellers of every type clogging corners, animals astray etc...we were approached by a Police man who advised us to turn around and head back to the Plaza De Mayor (Main Square...where all the tourist destinations are). It was mid-day and the street was packed with people...I can´t believe there was any danger eminent. Tourism is one of Peru´s greatest industries...and poverty just doesn´t sell postcards.