Peru day 2

Tuesday 04^th April 2012

Second day in Peru and it has been as nice if not nicer than yesterday. Some more interesting facts about Peru; there are only two seasons a year, summer and winter. The temperature varies very little; from 18 degrees Centigrade to 36 degrees Centigrade. There is very little rain only 3 inches per year. (No hose pipe ban!!!) The water supply comes from the many rivers that flow from the Andes. 60% of the land mass is not habitable because it is either jungle or mountainous. There are 30 million people in Peru. With a climate such as it is we have enjoyed the stay because it has been moderate at about 27 degrees and this is the beginning of winter here.

One would think that with so little rain that it would be arid but it isn’t; there are great areas of greenery and the plants and trees in the city are watered every day by the city council. It truly is a beautiful place to be even though there are districts that look as if they could do with a makeover. The problem is the dust; it gets everywhere and apparently house have to be cleaned top to bottom every day otherwise it would be unmanageable.

Speaking of housing, I mentioned yesterday the shanties. Well the City authorities have a scheme of housing which enables people who are the bottom rung of employment the chance of some very nice flats in a new condo development. The system is that the flats are basic with rooms only fitted out to the minimum standard and that gives people the chance to have a flat and save up to fit it out with tiles and cupboards etc. They also get loans at a very good rate of interest at 7% over 25 years.

Any way enough about facts and figures, toady we went on a tour to the Larco Museum and the Indian Craft market.

The Museum was absolutely fantastic! Artefacts in perfect condition dating from 1500 bc to early 13^th and 14^th century. Some of these are so spectacular and pre date even the Inca period. Inca gold of course was not particularly the real thing because they liked glitter and things that shine. The previous time of Mochinta is the real thing but the detail in some of the pottery and glaze wear is unbelievable. (Oh and the coffee shop sold very good coffee, important to all Dutch people Suuske no exception.

The Indian craft market is also interesting with little shops and stalls with high quality craft art and silver on sale.

The driving here is really very bad, worse in a way then Mumbai. At least here the chaos is expected. Here there is supposed to be order and rules but here isn’t any adherence to them, consequently what you expect is not what you get. Lane discipline is non-existent and it would appear that all are entitled to drive on the outside lane on a carriageway no matter the size of vehicle or the speed travelled. In the City drivers change lanes and directions without regard for what’s behind or at the side of them and even the buses are prone to stopping in the outside lane to let passengers on and off. Very scary!

Altogether a lovely day and tomorrow we are back to Miraflores to a shopping mall before we sail on to Ecuador.

Fd