Adiós Amigos

The last week has been one of mixed emotions as lots of goodbyes were said. But also excitement as preparations for me to leave Lima and begin backpacking my way south were made.


On Sunday the Peru Generso 5km fun run in support of Brazos Abiertos and Kids Alive meant a very early start for us but with over 400 participants lots of awareness and money was raised. I was very glad I stayed in Lima for this event.


Monday morning was my last motor taxi ride to work with Anne and Jordi.


Monday night was a special Dutch farewell dinner with lots of yummy food.


The Lamingtons I made for dessert were a hit, especially with Hanna.


I received some beautiful gifts but this container handcarved by one of my English students, with four scenes showing the work of Brazos Abiertos is particularly amazing. A beautiful keepsake.


Another final dinner, with a crocheted gift from Elizabeth and Carlos.


Final laughs with these teachers' kids who decided I should adopt them and take them to Australia with me.


My final view of Brazos Abiertos. Two months ago when I walked down past the huge dump to Brazos Abiertos I didn't realise that I'd be sad to be saying goodbye to so many friends. I spent some time Tuesday afternoon sitting outside the church and it was wonderful to be greeted by name by so many who passed by.

I'll miss being called "profi Raquel" and "Miss Ingles".

Muchos gracias amigos :-)

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My Lima Bucket List

As I write I only have 9 days left in Lima, so I've been busy making sure I experience all that I want to in Lima I want to before I head south.

Last Monday Ria (my Dutch host) and I headed to Gamarra, the textiles and fabrics market, for my second visit. It reminds me a lot of Chinese markets, though there is not a lot of bargaining.






My main goal was to buy some alpaca yarn to make mittens with, for me to use in Patagonia. This is almost 100% pure alpaca abd only available at one shop. Surprisingly most of the yarn available in Peru is 100% acrylic. All the good stuff must be exported! I also bought some traditional Peruvian fabric and a Dutch soccer shirt for $4 (they didn't have Australian ones).


Ria bought 3 kilograms of stuffing, so we were a memorable sight on the train and then the bus.


On Thursday, through an amazing set of circumstances I was able to meet Rick a Dutch missionary who lives about ten hours away, he is the nephew of my friend Nellie from Launceston.

On Saturday Anne, another volunteer and I were very grateful to be invited to spend the night at the home of our colleagues, Elizabeth and Carlos. We had an amazing time! They each cooked a Peruvian meal for us and we visited their church, my first time to go to church on a Saturday night and to be given a name tag at the door. We went there in a mini van bus, something that was on my Lima bucket list.


Elizabeth's mum also cooked us mountain popcorn for breakfast and made us sample a local Anis liqueur.


Anne, Carlos, Elizabeth and me.


Peruvian style tamales, eaten in bread for breakfast, only on Sundays and special occasions. For us, served with a side of mountain popcorn.


A random photo, catching the bus home from Bravos Abiertos with Erna, Anne and Willem.

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Circuito Magico del Agua at Parque de la Reserva

Last Saturday night one of my Peruvian colleagues, Helen escorted Anne, (another volunteer) and I to the Circuito Magico del Agua at Parque de la Reserva, ie the Water Park. Basically the Lima council took a regular park and turned it into an amazing water experience. There are over a dozen water fountains doing amazing things with water. Some you can even interact with, which would be great in summer. Once it's dark they are lit up and at 7pm there is a show at the largest fountain. It was incredible how they projected 3D images onto the moving water, accompanied by music.


This doesn't do it justice!

My favourite, love how they made it look like a pyramid.

Helen and Anne.

All this for an entry price of US$1.50, it's aimed at locals, not tourists. Definitely a must see if you visit Lima.

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Sol De La Molina

I've been very fortunate to be allowed to stay in an apartment normally utilised by Kids Alive International for their visiting teams. It feels very secure, with guards on the gates as you come off the main road, guards roaming on foot, bicycles and cars and then my building (like all others) is behind a locked gate. Living here has allowed me the opportunity to experience a little of the day to day life for wealthier Peruvians.



Living in the middle of a gravel desert means many people are desperate for some green. Cacti are planted on the edges of many streets.


Stumbled across this alpaca mowing the lawn of a nearby house. This is one of the few houses I've seen with a lawn out the front, most have it, if they have one, behind a locked gate.


I'm about 25 minutes walk to the local market, or 30 minutes to a western style supermarket.


Peruvians eat a lot of bread rolls, both in the morning and the evening. Bakeries open early but most are closed by 10am and don't open again until 4pm, with more freshly baked bread rolls. The little corner shops also sell fresh bead rolls. Most mornings I see a man on a motorbike delivering bread rolls around my neighborhood.


The cakes in the bakeries look amazing but don't taste so great. Except for a lime meringue pie I tried once, it was amazing!


The ice cream man cycles around selling ice creams. You know he is nearby by the sound of his horn, it sounds like an annoying bird call.


Another advantage of living in a fancier neighborhood is that our rubbish is collected six times a week. I appreciate this in a country where you can't flush the toilet paper. Before the rubbish is collected there are generally people who search through it, looking for recyclables they can sell.


Living in a more established neighborhood means that there are water pipes. In the less developed parts of La Molina you must have water delivered by one of these trucks, into your 1100 litre tank. I'm lucky to have hot water in my kitchen, as well as the shower.

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