Lima

Over and over again during this trip, I´ve heard negative things about Lima. It´s boring. It´s unsafe and congested.

The areas outside the touristy hotspots - Barranco and Miraflores - absolutely are congested, impoverished and unsafe for tourists. But in those safe zones, where the beautiful houses are protected by big iron gates, is a beautiful, funky town. The restaurants and bars are alive at night, there are people on the streets.

Walking around, I feel far less safe here than I did in other cities, even in Peru. Cusco felt safe, even when I wandered out of the old city and into the real city (in the daytime, but still.) Arequipa I didn´t spend much time in, but downtown felt safe. Lima doesn´t feel like I´ll get hurt, but it does feel like there´s always someone with an eye on my purse. One of the girls in my hostel had a wallet and an iPod stolen from her backpack the other day... you have to be vigilent, and I´ve learned it´s okay to be a little bit paranoid. There´s a difference between watching your own back and being a spaz case, and when you´re all alone in these cities, you have to know what´s going on.

Safety lesson over.

So while Lima hasn´t entirely stolen my heart, it has its good points. The neighbourhoods of Barranco and Miraflores are both perched on ocean-side cliffs , watching as the sea slams against the rocky beaches. Each area has its own feeling, its own vibe, its own beauty. It´s a neat city. I like it.

And I only have one more day to enjoy it, and I´m out of here... my flight leaves early tomorrow morning, so I have to pretend it leaves tonight lest I miss a flight (no comments please... hahaah... eek). And by this time tomorrow, I will be back on Canadian soil. I´m stoked and heartbroken at the same time.

s.