I spent the day at the hostel in Lima, and honestly couldn't have asked for a better day. I slept in until 9, which meant that I missed the free breakfast. Although, I'm me, and so this just gave me the opportunity to chat with the girl at the front desk to see if they didn't have "solo algo pequeno para mi" (just a little something for me). Sure enough they did :). Fresh fruit, pan, and cafe instantaneo (kinda regretted not bringing those little Starbucks packets). But who am I though to complain about the great free breakfast that I slept through and they so graciously gave me?
After breakfast I sat down to plan out the day in Lima. I didn't really want to go too far, because I only had about 8 hours and wanted to be sure not to miss my flight after yesterday's extravaganza. Just as I was thinking of all this two American guys walked into the hostel. Peter, a guy with the largest beard I've ever seen (I REALLY missed this photo opportunity) and Jonathan (a med student who has an amazing ability to look things up on his iPhone and incorporate them info into a conversation in an amazingly natural/seemingly impressive way). They both were full of amazing travel stories that we shared over lunch at the local market (which, please note, was as LOCAL as it gets). We were the only tourists there. I ate a great bowl of soup for 3 soles, about $1 and it even came with a yummy tea. We headed back to the hostel after roaming around the market a bit and played some pool.
After awhile, I decided to head to the other room where some American guy and an older Costa Rican woman (maybe 50s) were watching Bridges of Madison County. It was kinda a funny sight, and a funny way to spend my first day in Peru; but I decided to join them. She left after some time for the airport, and he and I started chatting (which means I missed the end of the movie, but there's always my next trip to Lima). We chatted for about 2 hours. He had just quit his job and spent the past two months in Peru. He hiked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, swam in Aguas Calientes, and learned a great deal of Spanish- quite impressive! I introduced my new friend, Nick, to the other guys and we decided to head out for dinner.
It was nice to have 3 guys to not only pass the day with, but also to walk through the shady streets of this airport neighborhood with as well. We ate at a chicken place, which reminded me how happy I am to be eating meat :). The dinner was a whopping 10 soles, about $3.50usd. Afterwards, Nick and I shared a cab to the airport and kept each other company for the next few hours chatting, sampling Cafe Britt, and petting a $1200USD baby alpaca blanket for as long as we could before the employee came over to ask if we wanted to buy it. :) He told the guy he'd be back in 10 years for it (honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if that happens). My flight began to board and we said our goodbyes; for him the end of an incredible journey and for me just the beginning!
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