The Gringo Guy

I have moved!

2011-10-21T21:52:00.000-05:00

The Gringo Guy has moved to The Gringo Guy
or you can always find me at www.thegringoguy.com

Thanks for the visits!

Hold The Press: Higher Education From Another Perspective

2011-10-14T18:41:00.001-05:00

Today I had the pleasure to get to know other communication and journalism professors from Peru and other parts of Latin America. I attended a CLAEP (Consejo Latinoamericano de Acreditación en Periodismo) seminar.

Not only did I meet other communication educators, but I also got to experience another view of accreditation and assessment. I know that sounds strange, but it is rejuvenating to view the world of academia through the lens of another system.

I also really enjoyed seeing a convention in Lima where I was now the local and we were welcoming other visitors to the city.

Media outlets from North America, Latin America & Asia were present.

It was a global convergence. I really enjoyed it.

Marca Peru: A successful campaign

2011-10-04T10:15:00.000-05:00

Perú is in the process of branding itself as an important product, both domestic and global levels. There is an incredibly successful marketing campaign taking place. It is locally known as ´´Marca Perú ´´ or Peru´s Brand.

The folks who designed this campaign even took a road trip to Peru, Nebraska. There they taught these Peruvians how to really be Peruano. I encourage you to watch this video. It is a great example of how you can make marketing fun and use cross cultural restrictions as benefits and not detriments.

The logo has a ´´P´´ with swirls around in before finishing the ´´eru´´ of Perú. The campaign has caught on with fervor. The recent culinary festival Mistura featured the logo.

I have the logo on my wrinkled and well-worn Peru T-shirt.

You can even spot the logo at night in Kennedy Park in the heavily touristed area of Miraflores.

I think this Marca Perú campaign is fun and gets my attention. For more information you can visit the campaign´s website:

http://peru.info/#home

I am a changed consumer. I tend to buy products that feature it over ones that do not. Just my two cents (or should I say two soles since I am in Perú).

Insider Trip Tips: A Guest Blogger Visits Peru

2011-10-03T16:14:00.000-05:00

My friend and fellow blogger Kristi Wright recently came to visit me in Lima, Peru. This was her second visit to Peru. I asked her to post a guest blog about her travel experiences in Peru.

I first visited Lima in May 2009. I had no expectations and truly did not know what to expect but ended up loving Peru. Our flight into Lima ended up being a wonderful unexpected experience because we got diverted to the small town of Chiclayo because of fog. I reflect back that I would not have seen this city if it wasn’t for fog and I am forever grateful. It was beautiful.

After leaving Chiclayo, we arrived in Lima and I was in love. I laugh though because I thought one area, Miraflores, was all of Lima. I was so WRONG. Lima is huge. I did not accurately grasp this until my next visit when I got to see a little bit more of Lima. However, here are some random thoughts about my first visit to Peru.

1. Lima is a huge. 

2. An unexpected stopover in Chiclayo can be a good thing. 

3. Shopping in Chiclayo is like an upscale NY store experience, they will sit you down and bring the clothes to you. 

4. Toothbrushes are not free at hotels.

5. Get a good pilot because landing in Lima is a bitch when there is fog. 

6. Speaking of fog, it was here every day in May.

7. I am extremely tall in Peru and I am 5’7’. 

8. The cab drivers do not know places so expect them to ask you where something is. 

9. Everyone is glad to give directions, but you will come to realize that they are always wrong.

10. Miraflores is beautiful. I would recommend staying in this area. 

11. The people are so nice. 

12. Barter when shopping or just wait a minute and they will give you a new price.

13. A place called Pizza Alley by Kennedy Park is a great place to people watch and grab a beer. 

14. Starbucks is everywhere.

15. Their coffee is so strong and very bitter! 

16. Talk to everyone they have great stories. 

17. The climate is chilly and seems wet all the time. 

18. The beach is very different than what I know as a beach. Here it is dirt and lots of huge rocks.

19. Drink Inca Kola!!! Inca Kola is the only national beverage in the world that beat Coca-Cola in sales; until Coca-Cola simply acquired Inca Kola and once you taste it you will know why. 

20. You definitely need to speak some Spanish. 

21. If you take a picture of someone, expect to pay him/her.

22. Lima consists of lots of districts are they are all so different but beautiful in their own way. Check out as many as possible.

23. Check out a local grocery store and try something new. 

24. There are more cab drivers than in the city of Norman, OK which consists of 110,000.

25. Try ceviche and a warm churro. You will not be disappointed.

26. The Historical Centre of Lima is worth the cab ride. The buildings are colonial, lavish and very opulent but so picturesque.

If you would like to learn more about Kristi´s trip you can visit her blog: www.eatyourfruitandveggies.com

The mold must go

2011-10-02T20:00:00.001-05:00

Mold is everywhere in the Miraflores area of Lima. I have only lived in Lima, Peru for four months but I am finding mold everywhere here. The humidity is so intense that it seems you find mold in all the expected and unexpected places.

I can deal with it on the wall. But this infestation is all over my clothes and shoes that I do not wear on a regular basis. These brown sandals should not have white spots on them.

I was a little freaked out when I found spots on my computer screen and keyboard.

This is the first place I have ever lived where people recommended i get an anti-humidifier. I did not even know that existed. For those of you who know me...you know I am not a clean freak but enough is enough. The mold has to go.

-- Desde Mi iPhone

Visiting Chiclayo: A happy accident

2011-09-27T16:39:00.000-05:00

Chiclayo is one of the most interesting cities in Peru that you have never heard about. Chiclayo is a relatively small city (but the 4^th largest in the country) with a population of more than half a million. It is a coastal city in the far north of the country.

Chiclayo is a relatively calm city. It has a notable downtown and amusement park. People here are very friendly and treat tourists well. The city is famous for its food, particularly is duck with fried rice. The famous ruins of Sipán are also nearby.

You can visit Chiclayo in bus (approximately 12-15 hours) or fly a domestic airline (1.5 hours) from Lima

I had the unique experience of flying into Chiclayo on an international flight, although the city does not have an international airport.

I was on a flight from Miami to Lima. Our plane had serious mechanical trouble (they say we lost an engine) so we all got a two day vacation in Chiclayo.

They could not give us our luggage as Chiclayo did not have a customs agent (the government had to bring in a special immigration officer to process our entry into the country) so we spent our layover buying T-shirts and pants and underwear at the open market.

Every trip is a learning experience. Chiclayo is definitely not on the Gringo Trail but worth seeing if you have the time. Take a spare change of clothes...just in case.

Plastic Bottles & Street People

2011-09-24T17:59:00.001-05:00

It seems as though I am surrounded by a sea of plastic bottles everywhere I turn in Lima.

Everyone recommends I buy bottled water (unless I boil the tap water first) which comes in plastic bottles. Soft drinks and many juices also come in plastic bottles.

I feel like I am using too many plastic bottles here in Lima. I try to reuse the bottles as much as I can.

I have asked several different folks how I can recycle...and everyone seems to have the same answer. I am supposed to put the bottles in the trash and let the street people collect them for resell. Maybe I will put them in a separate container and make it easier for them. I wonder what the neighbors would think.

-- Desde Mi iPhone

The Carné de Extranjería in Peru: My Personal Experience

2011-09-20T14:47:00.000-05:00

Today I became a resident of Perú. I received my carné de extranjería or my residency ID card to live in Peru.

The process was long and time consuming and I do not really like the photo, but I sure am glad to finally have my card. The carné (also called carnet) allows you to open a bank account, obtain credit cards/mortgages, and purchase cell phone service. It essentially affords you the right to live a complete life while in Peru. The most common ways to obtain one are through employment or marriage.

I began the process in June (with the attorney and staff at my employer) which included filling out and notarizing several documents. Then eventually I received a stamp in my passport that allowed me to sign contracts.

We filled out more forms and paid many types of processing fees along the way. There was also a lot of hurry up and wait. Sometimes I would wait for weeks at a time with no news. Then I went to Interpol (I thought this was the most complex and form-filled part of the process) and they sent off a background check to the FBI in the US.

After about three and a half months in the process I was allowed to go to a very non-descript government building and fill out more papers and pay more transactions but I left with my shiny new ID card.

The website Expat Peru has a very good explanation of the process at the following link.

http://www.expatperu.com/requirements-for-a-carnet-de-extranjeria.html

I do not pretend to be an expert and I did have a lot of help. I can only convey my personal experiences.

I am very pleased to finally have all my documentation and my residency ID card.

Visiting Machu Picchu: Travel Tips

2011-09-18T15:31:00.000-05:00

My friend Krissy Morrow recently visited me from Austin, Texas. She took a trip to Machu Picchu and has some really good tips for visiting the sacred city of the Incas.

Getting to Machu Picchu

Traveling to Machu Picchu will require at minimum

One hour plane ride or 24 hour bus ride to Cuscu
3 hour train ride to Aguascalientes/ or 1.5 hour ride in colectivo (minibus) and 1.5 hour train ride
30 minute bus or 1 hour walk up mountain to Machu Picchu.

Option 1: You have a ton of money. Get the tour package. Everything will be handled for you. Make sure hotel is nice and has heat in Cusco and is not near center of town in Aguascalientes (it’s loud there)

Option 2: cheaper option. Use tour agencies to buy air tickets, train tickets from ollantaybayo, and tickets to machu picchu with tour (the latter two you only need to buy in advance during busy season). You will need to buy on your own: transport from airport to cusco (take a bus), hotel in cusco (or ollantaybayo), colectivo (minivan) to ollantaybayo and back, bus ticket up machu picchu (unless you want to walk up and down), hotel for the way back (in cusco if you have an early flight back.

Option 3: If you have lots of time and are on a budget, there is a 24 hour bus ride to Cuzco. You save about half on airfare. Take only the luxury bus- it has reclining seats. Follow option 2 for everything else.

At the park of Machu Picchu

Water. They say you can’t bring it in. You can. Bring a reusable bottle to be safe. However, keep in mind, that they charge to use the bathroom and you have to go all the way back to the park entrance. The best method is to hydrate well the day before, DO NOT GO OUT DRINKING the night before, and drink little water throughout the day.
Food. The café charges $5 for a hot dog and it’s a nasty hot dog, and you have to go all the back to the entrance to get it. Bring food that does not make you thirsty (i.e. no salt crackers, but fruit is great). You can buy both food and water at bus station in aguacalientes- there is a market that opens early. Whatever they charge you is will be less than half of what machu picchu café charges.
Layered clothing. Don’t bring a heavy jacket. You will take if off by 8am and be stuck with it all day. Wear at least three layers of clothing. I was down to a tank top by noon (it was sunny when I went- I understand it can be cooler). If it’s cloudy, consider gloves/hat and 4-5 layers.
Walking/hiking shoes. No flip flops!
They say insect repellant and sunscreen . I was ok without it.
A camera! Make sure battery is charged (or you have extra batteries) and you have lots of room for pictures!
You can leave you luggage at hotel, even if you are checking out.
Hat and sunglasses for sunny days
Passport. They do require ID. Investigate if they will take a copy of passport and a driver’s license because it’s risky to travel with a passport.
Money. In case the $5 dry, flavorless hot dog appeals to you. DO NOT BUY souvenirs there. Everything is available at a fraction of the cost in Aguascalientes or Cusco (cheaper).

Arrive at bus station at about 6 am in order to make it to machu picchu park by about 7:10 and see sunrise (this time varies). During high season you will wait at bus station about 15 minutes and to get in park about 30 minutes. If you do this option, you will have to walk down about 10 flights of stairs to go back to the park entrance to meet your tour guide. Recommended if you really like sunrises (see below)

Leave about 7am to get to park at 7:45 to meet your tour guide. Don’t wait in line at all. Sleep in and get to park whenever (maybe go to hot springs at Aguascalientes). Get a private tour guide at entrance. This may work if you have a late train back or you are staying the night in Aguascalientes. You must pick a hotel with thick walls because everyone will be up early anyway, waking you up. Not recommended.

A note about Aguascalientes:

This is a SUPER tourist driven town. They will try to scam you at every corner. Here at some tricks. Many restaurants add a “tax” of about 6 soles to every bill. They will claim drinks are 4X1, give you small drinks, then point to a sign that says happy hour is 20 soles (when one drink is 10 soles on the menu) and charge you 26 soles (20 happy hour +6 tax). My suggestion is to order, then ask to see the bill before they bring you anything (“Quiero ver la cuenta antes de que nos traiga las bebidas y la comida). You may not understand the waiters response but just keep repeating that phrase.

The market by the train station is overpriced. The market by the bus station is a little more reasonable. Cusco is much more reasonable. Lima is even more reasonable.

The Magical Water Tour: Lima Shines

2011-09-16T21:40:00.000-05:00

Lights, water and action. Ok so maybe that is not the way you heard it before, but it is definitely the way you should visualize it.

It is the way you will see the water show here at Parque la Reserva near central Lima. The park is called the Circuito Magico de Agau or Magical Water Tour.

The park entry costs 4 soles and it is worth the trip. I admit I was hesitant but after hearing several stories about the park I decided to check it out.

The park really consists of two locations connected by an underground tunnel. My pictures of the tunnel did not turn out so great. However, the tunnel itself is really interesting as it is a museum to water and the patch you follow is an illustration of the river Rimac which flows through western Peru.

If you visit the park in the winter (northern summer) remember to bundle up. It gets cold here.

Take your camera and enjoy the show!

Mistura Part 2: More From Peru's Food Festival

2011-09-15T21:35:00.000-05:00

The most important culinary event in Peru continues to make headlines and thrill those of us (like me) who love Peruvian food. This is my second blog post about Mistura 2011. It is just that good that it deserves another post. I even got to take a pic with a hot coke model.

Old fashioned snow cones are also up for sale here. The vendors use old technology to make one of the best snow cones you will ever taste. They have coconut, tamarind, passion fruit, and many other tropical delights.

Going from cold to a warm drink (which you need in this cold climate) I will share my favorite warm drink.. It was a boiled tea with the types of fruit cooking in the tea water.

The event continues until September 18, 2011. Entry costs 20 Soles but tickets are sold out. Remember to buy tickets from a “legitimate-looking scalper” and just make you do not pay more than 10 soles above the regular entry price. I asked one of the local police officers to look at my tickets before I purchased them to make sure they were ok. He was nice enough to do so.You have to buy tickets for food products which generally run between 2-12 soles. For reference, a dollar is worth about 2.75 soles at the current exchange rate.

¡Buen provecho!

Mistura 2011: The best cuisine in Peru

2011-09-10T21:53:00.002-05:00

Mistura 2011. This is the place to be if you like food…Peruvian food to be exact. This annual food festival takes the best restaurants and chefs from the around country to exhibit, compete and sell their cuisine.

Peru is a country that is gaining prominence for its cuisine. Peruvian restaurants around the world are opening up to introduce Peruvian food to the world.

Some of the more famous (and to some people more tasty) dishes are the famous anticuchos (cow hearts on a skewer) and grilled chicken hearts.

I personally prefer the tiraditos or raw fish with various sauces. This is much like the better known ceviche (or cebiche) but with a slightly different taste.

Stands line the area at the “Parque de la Exposición" in downtown Lima. I strongly recommend you visit Mistura if you are in Lima. The event is from Septmeber 9-18, 2011.

Entry costs 20 Soles but they are sold out. You can still buy from a scalper just make sure they are legitimate tickets and do not pay more than 10 soles above the regular entry price. You have to buy tickets for food products which generally run between 2-12 soles. For reference, a dollar is worth about 2.75 soles at the current exchange rate.

If you can’t go to Mistura, I still hope you can seek out some tasty Peruvian food to try for yourself.

Home Shopping: Peruvian Style

2011-09-04T20:14:00.000-05:00

Today I attended a home show in Plaza San Miguel here in Lima. I am trying to decide if I want to eventually buy an apartment here. The expo was held in a nice shopping center in the working class neighborhood of San Miguel.

It was pretty much what I expected from a home show anywhere but with a little more shtick. Sexy girls in tight pants and costumed animal critters passed out brochures and balloons to folks as they talked to vendors.

There were even some demos set up to give you a feeling that you were in the apartment.

There were (mostly) apartments with some condos and stand-alone housing in neighborhoods from all around Lima. Most of the sellers seemed to focus on apartments in the $50,000-$100,000 dollar price range, that is to say lower middle class to middle class range for the most part.

What might surprise many people is that most pre-sells are much cheaper but you must purchase very far in advance. For example, most apartments now in pre-sell will not be move-in ready until the September-December 2012 time period. Something else interesting to note is that in Peru if you buy an apartment or rent an unfurnished one you will generally not have any appliances not even a stove. Everything comes separately.

I don’t know if I will ever purchase property but looking for a home in a new country is always an experience.

Magdalena del Mar: Quiet District on the Sea

2011-09-02T22:43:00.000-05:00

Its name is officially Magdalena del Mar, but folks just call it Magdalena. You don’t hear much about the small and quiet seaside district of Magdalena in western Lima. It is overshadowed by the wealthy San Isidro to the south and the chaotic and often-cited dangerous Callao to the north.

This district is known as a working-class neighborhood where kids play in the park and families gather along the seawall. When I ask about what type of neighborhood it is people often say it hasn’t been a place they recommended in the past but new construction is changing that attitude. There are nice and even relatively high-end apartment buildings going up along the seawall here.

According to the district’s website listed below the Spanish began building a church here in 1535 and the area officially became incorporated into the city of Lima in 1920.

http://munimagdalena.gob.pe/

I personally think Magdalena is a pretty district with a really nice location on the sea. I am glad I got to know it.

Getting To Know Barranco: Ocean, Hipsters & Colonial Buildings

2011-08-26T12:30:00.000-05:00

Barranco is one of the most picturesque and interesting neighhboods in Lima. It is nice and safe but chic and grungy at the same time. Barranco is located between the neighborhoods of Chorrillos to the south and Miraflores in the north.

The district of Barranco dates back to the 1800s but there was settlement here along the coast as early as the 1500s. Barranco is at the same time historic and gentrified and young and vibrant.

I always think that Barranco reminds me of the East Village in New York City or East Berlin. The people here in Lima say Barranco is very bohemian. If you come here looking for a place to live know that bohemian does not mean cheap. Barranco is known to be a semi-pricey place to live in Lima.

Some of the more famous sites include the puente de suspiros (bridge of sighs), bajada de los baños, and the main plaza with the church.

Many of the streets have are lined with graffiti and the streets are filled with kids riding skateborads. The attitude here is young and hip. Have a coffee and enjoy. This is the place to watch the sea, enjoy the hipsters and chill out.

A good Spanish-language resource for Barranco is the following: http://www.barranco.net

Earthquake in Peru: My first sismo en Lima

2011-08-24T15:43:00.000-05:00

Today the ground moved, literally when an earthquake struck Peru (sismo). It happened just before 1pm Peruvian time (1pm CST).

Courtesy usgs.gov

The earth moved once while I was at my desk talking to one of the administrative assistants. She asked, ¨Was that an earthquake?¨ I responded, ¨I think it is¨ and at that time another tremor struck. We could feel the ground shaking beneath our feet and chairs and the desks and furniture in the office moved.

We all followed quickly and efficiently the predetermined evacuation route. Luckily for me, (not for them) Peruvians are used to tremors and quakes. I have experienced a couple of earthquakes in Costa Rica but this was my first one while living in Peru. We all evacuated to the main plaza on campus (USIL) where you see the large ¨S¨that stands for zona segura or safe zone.

We in Lima were quite distance away from the epicenter of the quake in Pucallpa which is located along the Peru/Brazil border. But we still felt the tremors. The phone lines were overwhelmed for a few minutes. The best way to send and receive information was via facebook and twitter. Social media proved to be invaluable to both find out and convey information.

The experience was a shock but a good learning experience for what to expect the next time we experience a quake here in Peru.

College Filmmakers Screen In Lima, Peru.

2011-08-22T22:51:00.000-05:00

Tonight I was invited to a very important film screening. This was the National Short Film Festival for university students in Peru.

Of the five finalists…one of them, “Morgana”, was produced by students from my university the USIL (Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola). It tells the story of a pregnant woman who is abandoned by her boyfriend. Her daughter has medical problems and Morgana is forced to become a hired assassin to pay for her daughter’s healthcare.

Tonight’s event, the second annual competition, took place in the very luxurious UVK Larcomar cinema in Miraflores.

The voting took place online and a jury of filmmakers selected the prizewinning short. The winners took home 10,000 Soles and a new Sony camera.

You can view the five finalists and other student films in the competition by clinking on the link below.

http://www.terra.com.pe/terra-en-corto/participantes.php

The winning film was “Culpas” the story of domestic and sexual abuse in the shantytowns of Lima. All of the films conveyed real experiences and emotions as seen through the eyes of the student filmmakers.

I was pleased and honored to have been a part of this experience. It is possible I was sitting among the next generation of great Peruvian filmmakers. I encourage you to take a look at each of these films.

The Lost City Of Machu Picchu: 100 Years Later

2011-08-21T12:42:00.000-05:00

Peru is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu this year. It seems strange to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of pre-Columbian ruins but we have to keep in mind it is the rediscovery by Yale University’s Hiram Bingham. The ruins of the city stand at just under 8000 feet above sea level in a tropical mountain forest. I visited the majestic city of the Incas two years ago.

The ruins are impressive. They are breathtaking. Overwhelming. Words really do not describe the feelings the structure evoke in a person.

Experts debate what purpose the buildings served. Many claim they served as a retreat and sanctuary away from the capital city of Cusco. You can read Bingham’s work “Explorations in the Highlands of Peru” as a free download from Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org).

Most people daytrip from Cusco (as opposed to the nearby Aguas Calientes or the extremely, extremely expensive hotel on the sanctuary). It is a three hour trip each way from Cusco on the train and later a short bus ride. Some people hike the 43 kilometer Inca trail from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. I did not. The train is an incredible experience. You are descending from the nauseatingly (in my opinion) high altitude of Cusco.

I believe that Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime experience. It is something you will never forget. It is expensive. From Lima you should plan on spending $500 per person for transportation and hotel. This does not include food, additional tours in the valley or additional excursions.

An interesting note: The Spanish conquerors never found Machu Picchu; so Spanish writing never mention the site. You will never forget a visit to the overwhelming and breathtaking ruins of the Incas. It almost sounds trite to say this, but it is true: This is one of the most mystical and intriguing places on the planet.

A Visit To Cusco: Capital of the Incas

2011-08-20T14:54:00.001-05:00

Just the name Cusco conjures up images of mysticism and unknown wonders. Cusco was the capital of the Incan Empire when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s. You can see buildings which were constructed by the Incan Empire and the built upon by the Spanish. Very often in Latin America the Spanish conquerors would merely take a local building or site and make it their own. That is why you can literally see colonial buildings on top of indigenous construction.

From Lima to Cusco roundtrip airfaire costs about $200. You can travel slightly cheaper on a bus but it takes about 24 hours each way. Cusco is known as an expensive city in Peru. Tourism brings higher prices.

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco Cusco’s elevation is at 3,400 meters (11, 200 feet). Let me tell you from personal experience…I felt every bit of the altitude. That is why locals will offer you coca leaves to chew or in a tea to drink. This is a local remedy to help with altitude sickness.

I was dizzy for a couple of days but then my body rebounded. There is so much to see in Cusco and the surrounding Sacred Valley. You will find most tourists and tourist-oriented business in the Plaza de Armas and central part of Cusco.

This is a great city for walking but it is steep and many of the streets are made of stones. So, walking can be a little difficult. Many local residents will pose for photos but you will be expected to tip them.

Tourism is the driving force behind the economy here and Cusco will not let you forget it. I mean this in both positive and negative aspects. For better or for worse you will also feel like a tourist and often in prepackaged experiences manufactured for you.

Cusco is also the starting point for a trek (3 days on foot or 3 hours on a train/bus combo) to Machu Picchu. Cusco lived up to its storybook images. It is difficult and expensive but worth the visit.

Design For Social Change

2011-08-17T18:53:00.000-05:00

I believe in social change through communication, design and art. That is why I want to use my small place on the web to help some friends who are developing Peru´s first International Art & Design Graphic Conference with the focus that design can be an agent of change. These folks are my friends and colleagues at the Universidad San Ignacio in La Molina, Lima.

Not only do I want to help publicize something for my friends, I would like to help promote art and design as ways in which we can change the world for the better.

The department head of Art & Graphic Design, Rita Vida, and the department´s program coordinator, Rafael Vivanco, have teamed up to bring together artists and designers from 9 countries(ranging from Lebanon to Germany to Brasil) to provide seminars and workshops on the topic in the Lima suburb of La Molina on the USIL campus.

All the events take place September 14-16, 2011. If you are interested in attending the symposiums or any of the workshops you can check them out online at www.ade-usil.com or call (in Peru) 317-1000 extension 3250 or 3251. Prices for the workshops start at 30 soles.

I am not very gifted as an artist, but I do appreciate the communicative power of artistic work. I plan to stop by and take part if they will let me. If you don´t speak Spanish don´t worry many of the organizers and participants speak English and other languages.

Polvos Azules: If you want it they got it

2011-08-06T16:34:00.000-05:00

Polvos Azules roughly translate as blue dust o blue powder. I don’t know why it has that name and I don’t care. This place rocks…trust me. I don't like to shop but shopping here is fun...and slightly sketchy. You feel like you are in one of those movies where some kid comes up to you saying "Mister I got what you want" He has no idea what you want but he does probably have it.

You will think you have died and gone to counterfeit heaven. It is the market in Lima where anything is possible. My favorite items to purchase in the market are CDs, movies and TV shows. The prices are cheap and the selection is wide.

You can buy a CD with 200 plus songs in MP3 format for $0.90 and each Movie or TV Show will cost slightly more than $1 per disc (A season of a TV show will have multiple discs). They really do have almost everything. I have very rarely asked for an artist or show that they don’t have. If they don’t have it…they will find it for you.

You can buy “designer” clothes and handbags and name brand shoes that cost a fraction of the price of the real thing.

I do warn you about the video games and the Rosetta Stone programs…so far no luck in making those work. It is a shame too…as you can buy all five levels of a language in Rosetta Stone for 30 soles (about $11). I will keep asking about those programs.

Here you can also buy computer equipment, fix a watch or unlock a cellphone. You can really get almost anything in this market.

Some people will tell you that Polvos Azules is dangerous. I would not say that. I do think you should watch your valuables and not flash your money or phones.

The market is on the Via Expresa near downtown Lima. All the taxi drivers know how to get there.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Day Two of Peruvian Independence Celebrations: The Parade Route

2011-07-29T21:08:00.000-05:00

Today was the second day of the Independence celebration in Peru. As I stated before I was surprised there were two days of celebrations for Peruvian Independence Day…but I guess it is worth it.

The official military parade celebrating Peruvian Independence Day wound its way through the city today. I watched the parade on TV today instead of braving the crowds to see the various branches of the military on parade.

I did make it to the Plaza de Armas (main square) in central Lima just before the Presidential procession moved through. The police were on full guard in downtown as newly elected (and controversial) President Ollanta Humala wound through the streets to take his place at the Presidential Palace.

I am getting to know my new country and being here for the Peruvian Independence Day(s) makes me feel just a little more like I belong in Lima.

¡Arriba Peru!

Felices fiestas patrias from Peru: Independence day in my new country

2011-07-28T22:58:00.000-05:00

Happy July 28^th from Lima, Peru! For those of you who don’t know…today is Peruvian Independence Day.

I am in the process of receiving my carnet de extranjería (foreign residency card) so I wanted to meander around Lima and figure out where and how I might belong in my new country.

Red & white flags fly over the country. Apparently today is the official holiday yet tomorrow we will see the parades downtown. I constantly get confused about the date because both the 28^th and 29^th are holidays. I guess Peruvian independence is so much fun you need to take two days to celebrate.

I also noticed today online that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a statement of support to the people of Peru as they celebrate. I think her message about the anniversary of Machu Picchu and the friendship between our countries is a good one. I appreciate that kind of diplomacy coming from the US government.

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/07/169138.htm

For my own less dramatic and formal commemoration I took a walk around the Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods with friends who are visiting the Peru. The central park, Kennedy Park, in Miraflores is full of vendors and special exhibits commemorating the country’s heritage.

I also noticed a separate area where there was a temporary indigenous craft market across from the park.

The indigenous faces, the white European, Asian immigrants and a variety of others physical types form the unique cultural, racial and linguistic heritage which constitutes modern-day Peru.

To celebrate Peruvian Independence Day I did take time to eat one of the countr’s typical dishes…anticucho (beef heart on a stick).

It is not my favorite dish but it did bring me a little closer to feeling that I belong in my new country.

¡Arriba Perú!

The White City in the Sand

2011-07-25T16:56:00.001-05:00

Arequipa lies in the southern section of Peru. This is Peru's second-largest city...some estimates place the population at near 900 thousand in the metro area.

Arequipa is a colonial city with lots of typical tourist attractions. Stone roads, white volcanic "sillar" buildings and a frenzy of activity make this a bustling tourist center in the south of Peru.

Arequipa is a good place to buy traditional crafts and wool/llama products.

When you want to travel around the city you will find multitudes of tiny cabs...all with some sort of advertising sticking from their roof.

If you visit Arequipa I strongly recommend you taste some of the local specialties. My favorite was the stuffed peppers "rocoto relleno".

Arequipa is a mere 1:20 plane ride from Lima or a 15 hour bus ride on the very comfortable Cruz de Sur.

-- Desde Mi iPhone

Ubicación:Aviación,Arequipa,Perú

I live in Perú: Near Central America

2011-07-19T17:50:00.000-05:00

I live very near Central America. No I am not exactly geographically challenged. I know that the Peru is nowhere near Central America. I live in the Miraflores District of Lima, Perú. I am sure. What is ironic and surprising if you will is that of all the 8 million or 10 million inhabitants of Lima (depending on whose estimates you use) I live just a few block from Central America Plaza.

Why is this funny? Well not is it only geographically confusing to say I live near Central America. It is also ironic. As I have lived many years in the actual Central America, mostly recently Nicaragua but mostly in Costa Rica.

In this plaza you find all the flags for the various countries, except Belize. I do not think many people count poor Belize as Central America. Though it must be.

The flags are not the only reminder we are now in (near) Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panamá. A statue to honor General Francisco Morazan, the liberator & father of Central America also stands guard over the park.

While the food, climate, language and people are different in Lima from Central America.

I only have a 5 minute walk from my apartment to take a short visit to my beloved Central America.