Travel Buddies

It is known that couples seek friendship in other couples. If there is a term that describes this kind of double dating friendship, we are fortunate to have our friends Sa and Ed as one of our closest couple friends/ travel companions. We have traveled together from Montreal to Vegas, and have always enjoyed our random spurts of group bickering or candid discussions of our bowel movements. In other words, we have fun together.

The 4 of us at Miraflores

Since we were all still jetlagged, the four of us took a group power nap and then headed to Huaca Pucllana, the ruins of a temple that dated back to the 4th century.  The temple is located within the residential neighbourhood of Miraflores and served as a ceremonial site and burial ground. Archaeological works continue to take place here with regular discoveries of human remains. The temple is comprised of mud bricks that were placed vertically with gaps in between them to absorb any tension from earthquakes. Our guide told us that the original bricks withstood the 2007 earthquake whereas the reconstructed bricks were completely destroyed.  I was impressed to hear about these ancient building tehnique that are even more effective than the current technology. 

Our guide also showed us the present inhabitants at Pucllana - a couple of Peruvian dogs. The dogs were hairless with bleached mohawks on their heads. They were not exactly attractive and reminded me of a couple of gangster punks.

Huaca Pucllana

A Peruvian dog,

 living on the site of Pucllana

Following another group nap in the afternoon, we decided to explore Barranco at night, a bohemian style neighbourhood to the south, about 10-minute cab ride. The taxi dropped us off at the Puente de los Suspiros, a romantic bridge that leads to a slopped cobblestone walkway toward the ocean. A number of restaurants and cafes lined the walkway. We settled at a table on the terrace of Javier Restaurant facing the ocean. The sky was dark, but we could still see the crashing waves. Glasses of pisco sour were served in the company of good friends. Pisco sour is a traditional Peruvian drink that is made with pisco alcohol, lime juice, sugar, and egg white, although there has been a long debate on the drink's origin as the Chileans also claim pisco sour to be its national drink.  

At the end of the night, we were finally ready to leave Barranco and headed back to the hotel. However, Sa reminded us that we still haven't eaten dinner and Ed reminded us that it is almost his birthday! So, the night continued in the Radisson Hotel restaurant and ended with cerviche (raw fish cooked in lime juice), homemade pasta, more seafood and la torta para Ed's birthday!

Miraflores, Lima

I arrived safely into Aeropuerto International Jorge Chavez in Lima. Immediately, my cell phone showed text messages from E with the hotel and taxi info. Having heard horrible stories about taxis in Peru, I was anxious to get to the hotel. I walked out of the baggage area and prepaid for the cab ride at the Taxi Green counter to Miraflores, an upper class neighbourhood where our hotel, Hotel Radisson, is located.


The taxi traveled through Callao to  San Isidro and then along the coast to Miraflores. The extent of poverty to wealth was evident. Some parts of Callao around the airport are still without running water and electricity. It looked like another typical weekday morning with early commuters jaywalking across the streets or waiting for buses on the sidewalks. As we approached Miraflores,decorated signage and street landscaping became more prevalent. I also noticed the increasing number of foreigners and tourists jogging or simply taking a stroll along the coast - with wealth comes leisure.

After meeting E at the hotel, we spent the morning strolling along the cliff that overlooks Pacific Ocean.  Because of the fog or maybe the smog, the view was unfortunately limited. To the south of Hotel Radisson is the renowned Marriott Hotel and Larcomar, a shopping centre built on a bluff.  To the north is Parque del Armor that has a statue of two lovers and Gaudi inspired mosaics.  The colourful winding bench in the park is reminiscent of Parc Guell in Barcelona.This morning, at Larcomar, we also had an opportune encounter with the Jonas Brothers or more like hoards of screaming Peruvian girls. It is interesting to see the influence of American pop culture

Parque del Armor

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In the evening, we made reservation at a restaurant called Senorio de Sulco, which is apparently owned by a celebrity cookbook author. On the way to the restaurant,  the sun was setting, the sky cleared up and was filled with paragliders.  The view over the ocean was breathtaking. When we finally arrived at the restaurant, I was surprised to see that only 2 tables were occupied.  Nevertheless, the food was still delicious and the price was relatively reasonable, at a North American standard. We started the meal with empanadas and pisco sour. For the entrees, we ordered chupe de amerones (a creamy tomato based soup with seafood) and arroz con pato (rice with duck). The only glitch was that cubierto or a seating fee of s/10 per person was charged.

Paragliders in the sky of Miraflores

Dinner at Senorio del Sulco

We finished the night with some vino tinto at the pool lounge on the 12th floor of Hotel Radisson.  It was too cold to swim but the posh atmosphere was relaxing to finish my first day in Lima.

En Route to Lima, Peru

A surprise ending to my last day of work yesterday - Multiple farewell parties that were unexpected, filled with support and blessing from my colleagues and boss. By leaving, it has given me the opportunity to reflect and appreciate. So, my journey begins...

Bro dropped both E and me off at the Pearson Airport. Same destinations to Lima, Peru, but I am flying with LAN and E is flying with AC.  My first stop - New York JFK Airport.  What can I do for a 6-hour layover? I examined my options - Manhattan? Flushing? After taking into consideration the commute time, I decided to stay put at Terminal 4 of the airport. The Airtrain connects all the terminals. However, I was told by an airport personnel that T4 is the most "happening" of them all.

Terminal 4 of the JFK Airport

I walked from one end of the terminal to the other, and then back again for 6 or 7 times. There are a few shops, selling the typical higher-end or mainstream North American merchandise like Diesel, Gucci, Guess etc. Nothing overly exciting.  Finally, I settled down at a table in the food court and grabbed a cup of tea and some soup from Au Bon Pain, since I could not justify having a $15 burger from the airport restaurant. 

I think the lesson learned here is to not book a long layover when traveling alone, especially when the husband is flying direct!

4 Week Notice

Last week was a roller coaster ride - my struggle with the potential idea of "temporary" unemployment, the debate between a leave of absence or resignation. Nevertheless, I gave my 4 week notice to my very understanding and accommodating employer. It was an extremely difficult decision, but this is something I need to do for myself at this stage of my life.

The funny thing with unemployment is that...

When it is a layoff, people sympathize with you

When a contract ends, people encourage you

But when it is a resignation, people congratulate you

"Congratz on you fun (un-)employment" according to E. "Congratz on having a sugar daddy to sustain our lifestyle" is what I say. 

4 more weeks, I will be in Peru embarking on the Inca Trail trekk to Machu Picchu. 5 more weeks, I will be in Chile attempting to build a house with H4H. And lots more adventures to follow... So, the countdown begins.