Publisearre: 21.01.2019
I've been in Lima for over a week now. Three days alone since my friend Moni flew back to Germany. Together, we explored Miraflores with J.F. Kennedy Park and the artist district of Barranco with its street art. We also spent two days in Punta Hermosa, about 38km from Lima, enjoying the sun that showed itself there more than in Lima. Now I'm hanging out here in Lima and getting a little bored... but well, doing nothing can also be nice sometimes. Okay, not doing anything at all is not entirely true. For example, I walked on foot to San Isidro, one of the 43 districts of Lima, and went shopping there. I think you can't really shop well in Lima. It's hard to find good stores, even harder to find good clothes. Well, there was nothing even at Zara. I found what I was looking for at a department store called La Falabella, bought flip-flops and a top. My next stop is Colombia, so I can use them there. Yesterday, I went looking for a gym because I really wanted to do some exercise again. I wasn't allowed in the first gym because I wanted to train for just one day and I'm not a member. The next gym, Bodytech, let me in. I trained on the three floors for just under €20 after a staff member showed me around. Today, I'm lying in bed with sore muscles. So it was worth it;)
Also, today I brought some clothes to the laundromat. Proudly paying 34 soles for a small plastic bag. That's €8.50, quite a lot, I think. Well, at least I can pick it up this afternoon. I always look forward to fresh laundry because I often wear socks and t-shirts for three days in a row. Sometimes there's no other option;-) and I have to gradually curb my shopping desire because: I have to carry it all. Last time, my backpack weighed a proud 15.1kg at the airport. And Larcomar, the most famous shopping center here in Miraflores, regularly gets a visit from me. Although I don't find the stores very exciting: shoes and bags, expensive sports, outdoor and surf brands, and then 2-3 other expensive brands, jewelry, and that's about it. Downstairs there's a food court. The location is nice, though, as it's half outdoor right by the sea. You have to be careful not to get run over on the way. I find that cars pay little attention to pedestrians, even if you have the green light, the turning cars that also have a green light don't care. The drivers also constantly honk their horns here. Especially when they cross an intersection. Probably to signal: 'here I come, everyone get out of my way'. What I like: the traffic lights not only show red or green, but also the number of seconds, how long it will still be red or green.
In my hostel room (6 beds), all the beds have always been occupied so I sleep with earplugs. Someone always comes in late or gets up early, I do miss the luxury of privacy a bit. Especially because everything is so open and theoretically, anyone can see everyone sleeping. I sleep on the top bunk bed and when the person below me turns over, the whole bed shakes. Well, one more night, then I've made it and tomorrow evening I'm finally off to Colombia. Wuhuuu:-)