Lima, Peru – a place that combines the ancient and the modern. It’s like stumbling across an Incan ruin, only to find a Starbucks right next to it. Lima Centro area is walkable and is home to many cathedrals and churches built during the Spanish colonial period.
The Miraflores and Barranco districts are where the city’s nightlife. Parts of the metropolis can be lively; music at night is common in some areas. Today different areas of the city have differing aspects and showcase variations in culture caused by varying times of settlement, differences in socio-economic level and immigration from other parts of Peru.
The city of Lima is an architectural gem, with colorful buildings that seem to defy gravity. But here’s where my personal anecdote comes in. I recently visited Lima and enjoyed the varying architecture from colonial Spanish to modern day buildings.
First off, the traffic in Lima is something else. I mean, have you ever seen synchronized chaos on the road? It’s like a never-ending game of bumper cars meets Fast and Furious. You’ve got buses zooming by, taxis going left and right, and moto-taxis squeezing through spaces you didn’t even know existed. It’s like a never-ending dance of automotive insanity. And don’t even get me started on the honking. Lima should be renamed the Honking Capital of the World. You honk to say hello, you honk to say thank you, you even honk to apologize if you accidentally cut someone off. It’s a symphony of car horns playing an eternal tune. My recommendation, hire a driver or Uber, you will get there quicker than driving yourself.
Now, let’s talk about the food in Lima. Peruvian cuisine is a true delight, and Lima is at the heart of it all. From ceviche that will make your mouth water to lomo saltado (meat dish) that will make your taste buds do the tango, this city knows how to satisfy your cravings. But here’s the thing – Peruvian cuisine is like a relationship you wish would never end. It starts with a delicious appetizer, then a mouth-watering main course, and just when you think it’s done, the desserts hit you like a flavor avalanche.
Pisco Sour
A drink to try is a Pisco Sour, a classically-styled sour drink first made in the Legendary Gran Hotel Bolivar. Credit has been attributed to bartender Victor Morris, an American bartender who was working in Lima, Peru at the time. The hotel has been restored that originally opened in 1924 with all the celebrities from Spain and Latin America and, lots of actors and actresses from Mexico. The location is excellent as you’re situated right on Plaza San Martin and just minute’s walk away from Lima cathedral and Presidential Palace. The interior of the hotel lobby is very fancy with a gorgeous stained-glass dome, vintage fixtures and fittings and even a Model T Ford in the lobby. The grandeur has faded some, however, this adds to the character and the whole experience, just don’t go expecting the luxurious comforts.
Now, I don’t know about you, but when I think of Peru, I immediately picture the breathtaking landscapes, the ancient ruins, Machu Picchu and of course, the llamas!
Catacombs under Basilica of San Francisco
The Catacombs of Lima (Spanish: Catacumbas de Lima) are underground ossuaries in the historic centre of Lima, Peru. The catacombs were built under the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco and currently function as a museum. The catacombs or crypts of Lima are considered the largest in the entire continent and also the best preserved. Its vast extension is only surpassed by the famous Catacombs of Paris. When walking through its passages and galleries, it draws attention to the enormous wells up to 10 meters deep filled with bones and human skulls whose purpose would have been to preserve the old building from the impact of earthquakes. The old Franciscan library has a collection of books dating back to 1500’s.
Basilica and Convent of San Francisco
Museums
But you know what else Lima has? two fascinating museums – The Gold Museum and Larco Museum.
Larco Museum
The Larco museum pictured above has 1000’s of drinking vessels. These Incan drinking vessels were important ceremonial vessels for drinking chicha (corn beer). They were produced in pairs and used by the Inca in ritual ceremonies to cement social and political relationships. During Inca times, the vessels were typically made in identical pairs. Both qirus in the pair would have identical size, shape, and decoration.
Gold Museum – Museos Oro del Peru
The Gold Museum of Peru, the most important manifestations of pre-Hispanic art are exhibited, as well as technological advances developed by the ancient Peruvian settlers for the extraction (mining), processing (metallurgy) and manufacture (goldsmithing) of metal objects.
On the 2nd floor of the Gold museum is a fascinating collection which showcases of the Weapons of the World Museum, as the art used in weaponry. In addition various uniforms of illustrious characters from the history of Peru, such as Simón Bolívar, and José de la Riva Agüero; as well as personal objects such as Simón Bolívar’s chess and Francisco Pizarro’s sword, the mount of “La Quintrala” from Chile, among others. There are also exceptionally beautiful European pieces such as the pair of Dutch-made duel pistols in ivory and gold or Napoleon Bonaparte’s strategy game.