Peruvian Freestyle

There's an illusive and precarious balancing point for planning travel trips that I'm still trying to figure out--after all, it's nice to have routes marked out and hostels booked before you hit the road. It also soothes the nerves of the parentals :) But let me tell you--planning out bus routes, hostel schedules, and long-term calendar commitments is probably the most un-glamorous part of traveling (thanks for the spell check, Fergie). The options can be completely overwhelming, and if you're not careful, you'll sit there and micro-manage every last detail. This is particularly difficult for me--I'm a big map-maker/list-creator. I can spend hours comparing options, almost to a point of paralysis! And when there's a city full of living, breathing, amazing possibility outside your hostel, the last thing you want to do is huddle in a corner with your Netbook and price bus-lines.  Blah blah no bueno. It makes my hair fall out (well, this and Mitt Romney).

So. I've started  a mini-retraining process.

Foucault meets Pavlov, if you will.  

When I start obsessing about the baby-deets, I try singing instead some John Lennon instead.

After all, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_j-tpmdPlI

It might have taken me two hours to plan my trip, and I may have been a little obsessive about reading hostel reviews, but I finally made my great Lima escape! Hello from San Andres, a small fishing village between Pisco and Paracas. This is the view from my hostel window. I can see the sky! I can smell salt in the air! There is sun here. I am happy.

I do want to give credit where credit is due. Lima was full of beautiful and unexpected things--things I never could have found in a guidebook, and things I never would have come across had I not stumbled around blindly for a solid set of time (stubbing a few metaphorical toes in the process [note to self: metaphorical toes sound gross--next time, use words better]). The rest of this post is dedicated to the gems de Lima that you just can't plan--the stuff you stumble into. Peruvian freestyle, yo.

Take, for example, this ceviche. Two days ago while wandering my way to a museum (which, come to think of it, I never actually made it to), I discovered this huge expo fair in the middle of downtown district. Huge white tents filled a 2 block radius--and on display? Food, food, food. Also crafts, but I'm a one-track-mind kind of girl. I zoomed in on the ceviche real quick. For 5 sol (~$2), you could buy a plate of fried squid, fried yuca, sweet potato, spiced corn, and fresh, delicious, lime-fish! Now, I've heard mixed reviews about how reliable street food is (especially in Peru, where stomach-flu is common), but really? Can you blame me? I also bought  a pair of brightly-colored llama earrings--character pieces for my future teacher wardrobe.  

I have a lot of weaknesses. Funky jewelry is one of them--hot chocolate is another. I bought a cup of hot chocolate at this fair for dessert, and it was the end of me. I've had a cup every day since then. I think it might be time for some more re-training--just the words "hot chocolate" make me salivate (again, Alaska--quit with the weird images). I digress. Funky fashions are my passions--and while walking around Plaza de Armas yesterday, I came across a parade that was truly inspiring. Several districts of Peru had come together, in traditional dress, and were celebrating Sunday in style. Here's a picture of some of the organized dancing that was going on--watching the skirts swirl is memorizing. They also had guards and ponies on parade, which had a very regal feel (and if we're honest, a not-so-regal smell).

Never underestimate the power of your senses (6th, smell, or otherwise). I can't tell you how many small food stands I've been magnetically drawn to based on how delicious things smell--no matter how full I am. It's Peruvian magic, I tell you! Add this to my list of weaknesses. We encountered one of these mystifying wonders on our exploration of the Miraflores district yesterday--another unexpected delight. Thi, Heather, Paul and I were walking through the main plaza, rather aimlessly, and BOOM, it hit us. Delicious smell + long line = a promise. We're talking about a 30 minute wait, here. Naturally, trying the dish was a must. Everyone else was doing it! The stand was selling Peruvian pumpkin and sweet potato doughnuts, covered in maple syrup. They're called Picarones and they're...mildly tasty? I wasn't impressed after my first *cough* two? But you know what they say--third Picarones' a charm :) By the end, I'd been wooed.

Speaking of charms, I'm writing this down here so I don't forget. 

Cmon, Bonderblog. Hold me accountable. 

Thi, a friend from Australia, has been doing some serious traveling for the past 6 months--and one way she's managed to bring a piece of each place with her is by buying small pendants, charms, earrings, bracelets--whatever draws you in--and eclectically threading them them all onto a single string. It makes for a kick-ass piece of jewelry, and an inspiring way to keep your travels close. I can't begin to imagine what my travels will look like, but I'm positive that they'll manifest into something I'll keep with me for a very, very long time. So wish me luck on the pendant hunt!

My last night in Lima was magic--literally (and not just because I was happy to be moving out of the city!) Heather and I visited Fuente Magica, a huge park in the middle of Lima with almost twenty water fountains. It was a giant oasis, and I great way to end my stay there. The major water-show was synced with classical music, which was entrancing, but I was actually partial to a lot of the smaller fountains. They had Peruvian music playing in the background, and made the air feel--charged, almost? It was lively and lovely and more beautiful than the slow Fantasia-esque show I typically associate with "synchronized fountains." Same amazing Monet-color, more soul.

Here are a few pictures!

I could spend hours watching lights on the water (Gatssssby).

Here's a picture of Heather, en silhouette. The water colors are all melty and lovely at the bottom. Of course, Heather is lovely, too :) And then below is a picture of my favorite part of the park. Despite the chilly weather and quasi-late hour, the park was full of children dancing and playing in the fountain. Huzzah! All hours are play hours in Lima.

Overall, it was a great end to my the city-trip, and a nice way to say goodbye :) The ride from Lima was Paracas was about 4 hours (I watched a lot of Friends), but it was probably more comfortable than any airplane ride I've ever had. Bus #1 success! Hopefully the rest of my buses through South Peru go as smoothly. I have high hopes! I'll try to write more soon. Until then!

Many misses,

<3 ak