Peru

I arrived at the Lima airport at 8:30 PM Sunday night. Jenna is not scheduled to arrive until 11:30. I find myself again waiting patiently at the airport relying on an airline schedule and faith that my South America travel companion will make it here too. My friends meet Jenna, mi amiga rubia con ojos azul. And very fluent in Spanish. We are staying at the San Francisco Hostel in El Centro. This is a quiet night drive past beautifully lit cathedrals and government buildings.

Monday morning we set out to find the bus station to purchase our tickets to Quito. After walking for MILES we realize the bus station is far and we are the hottest chicas to walk these streets. Deliciosa! Que rica! Belleza perfecta! Day one, already a change in plans. Tomorrow, Tuesday, is a holiday so the buses aren't running. The good news is this means tomorrow we get to watch the Virgin Mary carried around town while having confetti tossed at her like she just won both showcases on the Price is Right. The bad new is this delay only allows us two days in Quito. So instead we buy tickets for Santiago and pinky swear to sub another country later in the trip for Equador. That evening we decide to try our hand at the city bus and make our way to Mira Flores which is the wealthy party of town. We have dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant, are begged to enter every bar with a promise of "free drink" (don't believe them), and meet Henry the local surfer who wants his picture taken with us and would like to give us surf lessons (Every Day).

Tuesday we check out St. Francis cathedral and catacombs. All I can think is "Man the Catholics really think about the dead a lot." We wandered around aimlessly and found ourselves back in Mira Flores where we ran into Henry again and were invited to a party in "his room." Aw! Silly Henry!

Wednesday we cab it to the bus station because we learned our lesson. We hop on the double decker bus with loud movies, rice and mystery meat, and fine people watching. We will be in Santiago in just two long days!