First Post!

Welcome to my blog, Peliroja (Redhead) en Peru…I figured it was an appropriate name since I may be the only redhead in Peru, although granted it’s only been a week and I'm on the lookout:) I’ll be writing about my experiences living in Peru and researching an economic development (asset building) program in the Southern Highlands through a Fulbright fellowship. I’ll also probably end up writing and posting photos about the food here, which is amazing—so this may very well turn into a food blog. You've been forewarned! The photo above is of the grocery store near my apt -- past the tomatoes are all different types of potatoes! And above the limes there is purple sweet corn that you can boil to make into a juice! SO exciting.


This past week has been a whirlwind – I arrived Monday night, and within 24 hours was moving into an apartment with my friend Cristina (photo to the right is view from my bedroom...Lima is pretty grey this time of year but the ocean and cliffs are beautiful). I take no credit for this accomplishment, as Cristina (a friend of a friend who is from Lima originally but went to school in the states) had been looking for apartments for several weeks before I arrived, and had found a great place at a very good price. So I got extremely lucky and was able to settle right in instead of searching for apartments in Lima, which is a total headache (or so I’ve heard!) We also have an extra bedroom for guests, so if anyone comes to visit me there will be a place for you to stay:) We are living in Miraflores, which is a bustling neighborhood that is conveniently located and close by the ocean, with tons of restaurants, bars, people, and traffic! It is also within walking distance of Barranco, an old bohemian neighborhood along the coast with lots of cool bars-- one of my favorite places so far.


I have been able to connect with a few other Fulbrighters and some friends from Seattle who also happen to be in Lima right now, as well as Cristina and her cousins who live here, so it has been a busy and fun week of exploring the city, making new friends, and going out. We are still working on setting up the internet in our apartment, so my posts may be a bit more sporadic until that happens. Tomorrow I will meet with Carolina, an economist here who I will be working with on my research. More updates and photos soon!