Weekend in Lima: Food and handicraft markets! GOLD!

So, the sun finally came out in Lima:) It's kind of like May in Seattle here right now-- the clouds have parted for about the first time in three months, and everyone you see on the street is smiling and just loving the feel of Vitamin D in their bones. It gets pretty grey here in the winter (June - September), but spring is approaching and when the sun hits the Pacific ocean you can really appreciate the miles and miles of coastline that stretch to the north and south of Lima. The blue in the distance is the ocean view from our apartment patio...hurrah! Also if you squint really closely you can make out a hanglider in the distance...they all take off from the cliffs in Miraflores.

I had some time this weekend to wander around Lima and explore. Saturday morning I went with Cristina to the "bio feria" at Parque Reducto, right by our apt. It is an open air market with all organic produce, whole grain products, and food. Lots of vegetarian items, which is rare in Peru. I bought some Inchi oil which apparently is another kind of "superfood" --lots of omega 3s. Tastes good too!

(The whole wheat empanadas with leeks were really good! I think this will become a Saturday ritual at our apartment....)

Saturday post-market I went to the Gold Museum with my friend Hannah, where we got to see some cool military relics (swords, guns, body armor) as well as a whole basement full of ancient gold masks, jewelry, and everyday items (gold cups and plates! a gold blanket/tapestry of some sort below)

(Lovely gold water jug. hahaha)

Today I went to the handicrafts market in downtown Miraflores, where you can check out lots of different vendors of Peruvian crafts, knitwear, and jewelry. It's a little touristy, but I found some really cool hand woven items from Ayacucho (mostly tablecloths and pillows) that are incredible! Love the colors and texture here.

On my way home I walked by Cafe Manolo, one of the oldest and most established sidewalk cafes in Miraflores. They have some intensely layered sandwiches and amazing looking churros in the window. This was the first place I had dinner when I got to Lima! I'll take anyone who comes to visits for some cafe and churros. That is a promise.

Check out the rest of my photos from this weekend on Picasa at: http://picasaweb.google.com/barbrosen/WeekendInLima# Hasta pronto! -- B