This wasn't just any trip for me, it was the first place in this big world I became obsessed with in 2nd grade. We learned about the Incas in our gifted program and every since age seven, I have wanted to go there. I dreamed about walking among the ruins and retracing the historic steps of a civilization well advanced for its time. Honestly, had I rode the train to the lost city in the Andes, I may have been disappointed but I chose the four-day Classic Inca Trail hike and it was well worth it. The amount of pride you have when you reach your chosen beacon reminds you it was never the destination you were after but the journey.
I am in fairly good shape but it is a physical marathon adapting to high elevation and walking for 5 hours at a time up and down when you have a desk job most days. I learned more about myself in 4 days than I have in a long long time. Being uncomfortable is the hidden treasure of life because it requires you to grow without choice.
So I will start my blog about this vacation in our first stop which is Lima.
January 3, 2015
We flew out of Charleston with nerves and excitement only to be blasted at Miami when we learned our flight was delayed to maintenance and look like we would miss our whole day in Lima. Fortunately, we were rerouted on LAN flight at 1 am and we were able to make our food tour for the morning. Lima is bustling right now, and I can not wait to visit it in ten years to see the urban growth.
Leaving the airport you can see you are surrounded by the high poverty areas that are still being ignored as the urban growth in city center writes a different description of Lima. Quickly, are driver headed to Miraflores along Costa Verde and the panoramic view of the contrast of the green cliffs and blue water quickly came into view.
Christen and I arrived at our hotel, La Castellana and it was perfect. We rushed and showered in enough time to barely make our food tour. We started the day with a trip to Barraco region of the city to have a fresh Lucuma smoothie. This fruit is known as the last gold of the Incas and it has a very sweet but nutty taste. We had one fresh from the tree growing in the middle of the cafe.
Next, it was on to the market to learn about the exotic fruits of Peru. We reached the market and it was a rainbow of colors of all kinds of different fruit. I quickly learned the Peru has completely outlawed GMO's and the fruit I was looking at looked bigger and brighter than anything I would get in the USA. This leading to more hatred of the crap we are told to eat that is so genetically modified and chemically enhanced it should be outlawed for human consumption. My favorite fruit I tried was the Chirimoya, which was green on the outside and heart shaped. Its flavor was that of a coconut, banana, apple, and pineapple rolled into one.
After the market, we ventured into a Cevichery to learn how to properly make ceviche and a
proper pisco sour. For the ceviche we used one of my favorite fishes, sea bass. I fell in love with this fish in the Adriatic and it continues as its flavor is so good when it is fresh. The making of a ceviche is very easy and combines all the flavors I love; hot, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic. You mix a mixture of things together topped off with onions, corn and a sweet potato on the side.
Lima was a fantastic town for this foodie. I loved my day there and wish I had more time, but I will only have to go back when the time is right and experience again the joys of Peruivan cuisine. I am two days back in the states and everything here tastes bland and fake. It is always an adjustment to come off such a high after traveling and go back to life they way it is suppose to be. Our night in Lima was finished with a visit to a restaurant named Tanta where we had causa limena, aji de gallina and a Peruvian chocolate cake.
(more food pics from lunch)
Lima was a special city and another reason I love falling in love with South America over and over again. I hope to go back sooner than later. Stay tuned for pics and updates from Cusco and the Inca Trail!!
