Monday, May 21: Lima

 This was the first real free day of the trip, so we took advantage of that. We lingered in our room, had a late breakfast and took a limo to the "Indian Market". This is a 2 or 3 block area in Miraflores, with hundreds of stalls in several buildings, selling all sorts of Peruvian crafts. It's a good place to go at the end of the trip, because nearly everything you've seen along the way can be bought here. We picked up a few last minute things, then wandered through a department store (not unlike the Bay, really), before hailing a cab back to the hotel. It was our first time using a taxi here but we had specific instructions from the person at the hotel desk. Tell him where you're going, then negotiate a price before getting in. We figured out enough Spanish to do it, and succeeded. Then to the local store for water ( another minor exercise in Spanish and sign language  ) and back to the room. 

Nice to have a luxury suite today, since we are spending a lot of time here. I also finally managed to mail the postcards I've been carrying around. The hotel sends the bellboy to mail them if you give him money for postage. Such service! (on the other hand we found later that none of them arrived home)