Safe and Sound in the Southern Hemisphere

Hi everyone!

After many months of preparations, we have finally arrived in Peru! Here's a photo of us just before we left the States.

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Admittedly, though we´ve been here two days, we´ve spent little time exploring thus far. Instead, we´ve been taking full advantage of the luxuries afforded us by the extremely nice hotel in Lima that my Aunt Julie arranged for us as a wedding gift. Picture this: two nights in a suite on the 21st floor with full view of the Pacific Ocean, wonderful (and complementary) meals in the Executive Lounge, 100 cable tv stations, and the most comfortable beds that you could hope for! There were also lots of other services that are too numerous to list.

These are photos of our beautiful room and our room's breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean at the JW Marriott!!!

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So, anyway, we´ve secluded ourselves in the hotel and are now just venturing out into the broader world. So far this afternoon, we´ve exchanged some of our money for Nuevo Soles, tried Inca Kola (a bubblegum-flavored Peruvian cola that I liked and Jeremy hated), and found cheap internet cafes on every block we´ve passed. Granted, we are in a commercial area, but there are more internet cafes around here than any other kind of business!

Our Spanish skills are improving. I was especially proud when I approached a bank teller and asked (in Spanish) if they exchanged traveler´s cheques; he spoke back to me in Spanish and I could understand him! Lots of fun! Oh, a quick note to those who are planning on visiting, dollars are readily accepted in many places around here (at least in Lima), but it is difficult to find places to change traveler´s cheques. So, bring dollars instead.

Well, today we plan to see a bit more of the country by taking a (long) bus ride to Cusco from Lima. We´ve read that the trip is usually about 30 hours, so we upgraded a bit and will be in business class for a few dollars extra. From what we understand, the buses are pretty comfortable here. They even have bingo!

Our next post will be from Cusco.

Sarah and Jeremy