Delayed Updates

Unfortunately, the internet at the hotel sucks, and uploading pictures ranges from extremely frustrating to impossible. I'll have to fill you in on the last week after I get back to Corvallis.

Nightlife

Not a lot to report today. Yesterday Sarath and I dropped off laundry, got some breakfast, did some shopping (I got new jeans for the club), and did the grocery shopping for the house. 

Breakfast of champions

I paid $50 for the jeans, which is more than I normally would, but the sales guy, Alejandro, was very attentive and they hemmed them for free.

Last night, we went to Valetodo Downtown, a gay discotheque. I learned that "downtown," actually has a sexual connotation. Valetodo means anything goes. I'll let you put together the rest. We had a really good time. 

We danced solidly for almost three hours. Later in the night, three drag queens joined us on the dance floor.

Today we are going to pick up the laundry and some clothes that Sarath had altered. Sarath is going out with friends tonight so I will need to find something to do. I'm considering checking into a hotel for the rest of my stay to avoid being awakened by the dogs, for a bit more privacy, and to be able to come and go without worrying about how I will get back in the house. But, I'll see how much that would upset the family here. I'm hoping it won't be a big deal since I've been here for four weeks, but one never knows.Oh, and I'll probably buy a second suitcase today as well. I know I'll need one.

...and More Museums!

We ended up going to Lima Cento again today so Sarath could take care of some business. While we were there, we went to Museo Banco Central Reserva del Peru.

Then we went to Centro Cultural Inca Garcilaso. I didn't take any pictures there.It was all paintings by Diego Alcalde Taboda of indigenous peoples.

Finally we went to Casa de la Gastronomía Peruana.

If you look closely, you will note that they apparently served cuy at the last supper. I'll need to check my bible for that one.

Tomorrow, back to the lavanderia, or rather, to another one, and then to the discotheque in the evening. Chau-chau!

Museums, Museums, Musems

So, Monday, I waited around all day for Alfonso who neglected to tell me he had several work meetings. By the time we finally met at 6:30 it was too late to go to La Punta, so we went to Barranco instead. Nice bohemian district, although there isn't a lot to do at night unless you are bar/pub hopping. I did get a closer shot the the cross in Chorrillos.

We spent the night in La Molina. Tuesday, I mostly caught up on sleep.

Today we were supposed to go to La Punta yet again, but he had to work. I'm going to assume from this point forward that we do not have any definite plans. I'm not spending my last week here waiting on someone. Instead, Sarath and I went back to Barranco to three museums (the first picture in the post is on a wall in Barranco. It says, "To think with the heart."). First, Museo MATE which has an exhibit of the photographic work of Mario Testino.

Next, Museo Pedro de Osma. They had a special exhibition of Italian fashion, but it was an additional S/.20, so we opted to see the permanent collections, which just happened to include Italian fasion.

They also had a special exhibition in one of the permanent exhibition rooms that talked about camelid fibers (vicuña, alpaca, llama, etc.) and the process from shearing to knitting/weaving.

Finally, we went to Museo de la Electricidad, which was not only interesting, but also free (BONUS!).

I'm not sure what's on tap for tomorrow, but Friday night we're going downtown to a gay discotheque. Until then, "Pensar con el Corazón."

A Laid Back Couple of Days

Yesterday, Sarath and I went to the salon so Sarath could get her hair recolored.

I don't have a picture of the finished do yet, but I will try to get some tomorrow. After her appointment, we went down the street where I got my hair cut. After several coughing fits, while the man was trying to work on my head with a straight razor, a successful design was achieved.

That was pretty much it for yesterday. Today I had lunch with Alfonso, the first time I've seen him since Sunday. The event turned out well, but he was extremely tired, so I made him go home to get some sleep. We'll see each other again tomorrow.

I don't have any definite plans for the rest of the trip. We've been talking about going to Pisco and Ica, and I want to go to the gay discotheque downtown, but I think we'll just play it by ear at this point.

A Couple of Days Out

So, I was finally able to go on a few adventures. Wednesday, we went to the market. It was the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul, so some businesses and all schools were closed. We got to see a procession in honor of the saints near the market.

We also went to Museo Larco, which had some absolutely beautiful textiles, among other things, including erotic pottery. Here are just a couple of pictures. The rest are in a FaceBook album. I will move them over to a public Google album at some point.

This morning we went back to the market for some breakfast.

Then on to MALI, Lima's art museum. Again, here are just a few pictures.

We went back to the market where I treated myself to a "club" shirt, as I've lost 10 lbs since I've been here. I also got some long pajama pants as the shorts are just too cold for the morning.

Tomorrow it's off to the salon for Sarath, and I think I may have something done with my hair as well. Other than that, this weekend is still a mystery. Happy July!

Back in the Saddle...Mostly

Sorry for the long delayed update, but, as I mentioned, I've been very sick the last several days. So, to catch you all up:

Friday, after several communication debacles, I met the gang in Miraflores. We went to this quaint little bar for a couple of drinks, then I went back to the hotel to sleep.

Saturday, the group when to a huaca (ruin), and I stayed at the hotel to nap (sensing a theme yet?). This is when my cough really started to get noticeable. Alfonso and I went to see "Dejames que te cuente...", a musical inspired by Chabuca Granda, Peru's premier female composer.

Afterward, we went to Larco in Miraflores to see the beach at night.

Sunday Alfonso took me to lunch at a cevicheria "for Peruvians," where he was either trying to kill me or fatten me up for some nefarious purpose.

I was really not feeling well at all on Sunday, so I went to bed early.

Monday, Seri, Sarath, and Christina had presentations in the morning and hair appointments in the afternoon. I stayed home and spent most of the day in bed. From the time they got back in the evening until after dinner, my cough worsened to a sore throat, chills, and I spiked a fever. Reluctantly, I agreed to go to the clinic, which closed just as we got there, so I ended up in the emergency room. Diagnosis: throat infection and 102F (39C) fever. I got an injection to lower the fever and five days worth of antibiotics to take. 

Tuesday I spent most of the day in bed recovering. I'm at about 70% right now, but I can tell I'm getting better because I've been hungry all day.

I think that's a long enough post for now. I'll update you on today's adventures tomorrow. Hasta mañana!