Day 17: Lima

Day 17:  Lima

Quote of the day: What time do you want to go to the airport tomorrow?

Weather:    Pleasant, a bit of marine layer in the morning, burning off to low 70s with occasional breezes

Pics:  Hotel B under construction, with Delfin (local artist and B&B owner), around Lima  

In bed around 2am (it is the next day, after all), up at around 8am to find a decent breakfast b(uffet) laid out in the library on small short tables next to couches and mini-chairs. Since THB is eating, the beta part of breakfast is acceptable. The slow delivery of coffee and hot milk is tempered by the arrival of the coffee, downed quickly.

Around 10am, the three couples disperse to take in the arts district separately. Is THB having separation anxiety? The six of us have been almost conjoined at the hips for over two weeks.

Some very good local galleries, some interesting folk art, upscale design stores, photography museum, and a great tour of a local painter’s studio (Delfin) and B&B (which he built himself for most part).

Lunch at La Pescederia, highly recommended by the manager of the B&B (Delfin’s daughter). La Pescederia is a true find. Only open for lunch, THB and DB share ceviche with pulpos fritos, grilled atun con capers, and complimentary cups of delicious fish soup, “corn nuts,” and alaflores (small cookies we first had in Argentina), two bottles of water, dos Peruvian cervezas, generous tip for a great waiter, $50.

Out again for trip to Museo de Contemporario Artes; mediocre. B(ack) up to room, fighting construction fumes, to rest up some more (did THB tell you what time he got to hotel? VERY EARLY in morning).  However, since we have to keep the door to the balcony open (there are no windows in the room), the street noise is at a significant decibel level.

When THB checked in early this morning (did he say how early?) we were advised that Tea would be served in the late afternoon at Hotel B(arely). So, dutifully we plan our day accordingly and show up at the appointed time. Sorry, no Tea today.

Instead, we stroll along the palisade, stop for frozen lemonade, orange juice and a mushroom empanada, $12, and stroll back to Hotel B(izarre) to find out the lights in our room are out, so read Kindle at Hotel B(acklit). And they stay off (the plugs and A/C are working). After a number of visitors (some with flashlights) we are moved to another room. The new room is a strange set-up, and the entryway floor is tacky; they lacquered it early in the day.

The six of us head off to dinner at a spot just a few blocks from Hotel B(lackout). Pollo for THB and DB, comes with a green salad and half an avocado, pisco sours with passionfruit (excellente), $65, in a mix of $ and solas. At one time when the Peruvian currency was bobbing up and down, the dollar became king and big ticket items like cars, houses, apartments, and art were sold in dollars. Now the solas has stabilized and the dollar has stuck around.

Upon return from the restaurant, the lights are on in our old room: it turned out that the A/C had somehow created condensation inside the wall and dripped onto the wiring controlling the lights. And, one of our group’s room had a leaking toilet. One room we might have moved to did have a broken toilet (we heard it had flooded a day or two before we arrived). The hotel manager claimed it was a soft launch. Really? Bring in visitors touring first class and make sure they know what it is like to live in a constructions zone? We’re awaiting our refund from Hotel B(roken)!