Sep 4 - Oct 9, 2016: Peru

Sep. 12, 2016.  JW Marriott, Lima, Peru.  

• Night bus not all that comfortable.  Narrow seats, and the one next to me occupied by a large guy who spilled over a bit.  But I took a half a sleeping pill, and fell asleep after about an hour, arriving in Lima at 6 in the morning.  Cab to the Marriott, persuaded the front desk that I could stay in Len's room (an email from him to me did the trick), then hot shower and...  Bruce & Che, who had arrived the day before from Florida.  Since he is a Platinum member, we all enjoyed a free breakfast on the 26th floor, and then... Big Len showed up!  Logistically speaking, it was perfect.

• Morning spent shopping - that is, watching Che shop - in the arcades.  She loaded up, I bought one pair of earrings.  Very nice quality stuff, but oboy, some of the prices in the fancier stores: I saw a vicuña coat for $8000.  

• Juices for snacks, then relaxed in the hotel until dinner.  Len and I are on the 19th floor, overlooking the malecon.  The sky is overcast, and apparently permanently so this time of year.  No matter, it keeps the temperature just right for walking around.

• Len had come from from La Paz and Lake Titicaca, where he spent several days with a guide checking out the Isla del Sol.  He reported that Bolivia was a lot poorer than Peru, but clear skies and gorgeous mountains - and high altitudes.  

•  Dinner at Central Restorante was amazing: eleven courses over three hours, each a beautifully presented mouthful or two on a bed of coral, or herbs, or slab of rock.  Absolutely the best, most interesting, most fun restaurant meal I've ever had.  Took photos of the menu and each of the dishes.  And great to be with the brothers and Che.  Cost: about $100/person.  Tomorrow we will try seeing some of the museums and cathedrals of this city of eleven million people.