Lovely Lima

The 18th of May starts with a hearty breakfast, which I enjoy in the hotel. Fresh fruit, which is so plentiful here in Peru, and yogurt – the perfect start to the day. Since I haven't walked enough during this vacation yet, I make my way to the artisan market on foot. As I stroll through the streets of Miraflores, I relish the fresh morning air and the still peaceful sunny day.

Upon arriving at the market, I treat myself to an iced latte to fuel up for the upcoming explorations. The colors of the handmade souvenirs and the already lively stalls fascinate me. I can't resist and browse a little before heading to Barranco, a neighborhood known for its creative scene, where I still have some familiarity from my last day in Lima.

Suddenly, I bump into Alina, who has joined us during the first two weeks of our trip. It's crazy how small this vast city can feel! After a brief chat and warm hugs, I head to 'One The Store'. Here I find beautiful items to remember this adventure in Peru.

With a small (more like large) bag full of memories, I make my way back to the hotel to change. After that, I take local buses (a true chaos tour!) to downtown, where the street food tour begins. Upon arriving in the historic district, I'm excited about the culinary delights that await me. The tour starts with corn served with various dips, and I am immediately thrilled. The next stop is Papa Rellena, stuffed potatoes that taste simply heavenly. Lima has over 11 million residents, a third of the Peruvian population lives here, and I feel like a part of this vibrant city.

The highlight of the tour is the ceviche, fresh and full of flavor. But that's not all! We try Carapulcra chinchana con sopa seca de gato mancha pecho, a dish that introduces me to the diversity of Peruvian cuisine. There are also exotic fruits like Pacay, Yuka, Grenadilla, and Cherimoya – heavenly! And to conclude the tour, there's Mazamorra and Picarones; there's always room for dessert.

Now it's time to pack my suitcase for departure tomorrow. Luckily, I have an extra carry-on bag to safely bring all the lovely memories home. Lima, I will miss you!