skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Lima is the fifth largest city in Latin America. It is home to almost a third of the country’s population of over 29 million according to the 2009 census estimate. Lima lies on a coastal desert and presents very mild temperatures, the lowest being 54 degrees in the winter and up to 88 degrees in the summer. It never rains but it is humid all year round. Winters are foggy and misty and for Americans this metropolis can be depressing in June, July and August. Remember that seasons are reversed since Peru is in the southern hemisphere. Beware if you are prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.)
No, Lima it’s not on the Andes but right at the coast. Foreigners tend to believe that all Peru is mountainous. It is a city of contrasts where extreme poverty shares the city with colonial architecture, booming districts and a western lifestyle. It’s not uncommon to see barefoot beggars walking by people getting out of Mercedes Benz sedans.
In Lima you will find beggars everywhere, especially in the touristy areas. Shoeless mothers with babies, toothless older women sit on the sidewalks stretching their hand for anything you can give them. The saddest part is that you will see lonely children harassing you to buy some candy or chewing gum. Some of their stories are heartbreaking. Beggars are willing to do something in return for your money; they just don’t ask. They either sell something o
r try to entertain you. You’ll hardly find anyone asking you for “one dollar” as you may encounter in the U.S.
I have seen kids dancing on the streets, playing music with improvised instruments, doing tricks and somersaults in the middle of the roads at the red lights; even spitting fire as if they were in the circus.
Once, while in a taxi, the car stopped at the red light; a boy approached the car and started singing. The poor kid was so out of tune and right in my face. He must have been 8 years old. I asked what his name was and he said: “José.” I reached to my pocket and gave him one sol, the equivalent of thirty cents. He seemed happy despite knowing he would never be on “American Idol.”
