Field Trip to Lima

Today all 58 of us took a field trip to Lima. It was a nice treat after a long week. We met at the training center at 8 and took off in private combis. It took us about an hour to get to the Palacio de Gobierno or the Presidential Palace where Peru’s president lives and works. We got a quick tour, and wow it was so beautiful! The entrance room housed Peru’s largest chandelier weighing 2 tons! There was gorgeous and impressive wood work, marble, and gold everywhere. Throughout the Palace were guards who looked similar to those you would find in London. Although they also stand perfectly still for their hour long shift, they were less serious and smiled at you when you said hello!

After the tour of the palace, we split into our Language groups for the next excursion. As a group, we decided to go see the Museum de la Inquisition. It was a free tour where a woman (who did not seem like she enjoyed her job) walked us through the museum which consisted of some artifacts but mostly mannequins displaying a reinactment. We started in the room where there would be trials for those who sined agains the Catholic faith. After that we heard stories of how people were tortured and killed for their “crimes.” Many Europeans had come to Peru to escape the Inquisition in their home country, only to be imprisoned here, as the same thing was happening all over the world. It was a little dark, but interesting!

After the museo, we found a coffee shop where I got delicious espresso! Most people in Lima drink instant Nescafé, so it was nice to drink some real espresso. We then had a few tasks to accomplish (ask a taxi driver how much it costs to get to a certain point, ask someone where dangerous parts of Lima are, etc.). I spoke with a security guard, as there were many hanging around the main square. We ended us speaking for a while, as he was learning English and was interested in what we were doing in Peru. After that, we were released for the rest of the day to do whatever we wanted! Our only instructions were to find our way back home before dark.

Katie, Sabrina, and I had lunch (chicken noodle soup nothing special) and then did some shopping and walking around. The weather was kind of gloomy compared to the sunny days in Chaclacayo. Summer is just starting here! But we found a huge shopping center that had a Starbucks and Pinkberry! I didn’t get any (not feeling many withdrawls from home yet) but did get some delicious gelato. I also bought the Hunger Games (Los Juegos del Hambre) in español for practice.

From our earlier research in the center, we knew there was a spot where combis will pick us up to take us home. We went there and found a combi (5 soles from Lima back to Chosica). The cobrador waited until it was full until we took off (30 minutes). It took us about 2 hours including that wait time to get home. A group of people were getting together for a movie night at TJ’s house but I was so tired that I decided to call it a night nice and early!