Lima

‘The strangest saddest city on earth‘, once described by Herman Melville, Lima lived up to its reputation. A white fog that lays its arms around the city like a silver linen blanket gives it a melancholic charm.

In the Old town we found a mansion from the last century where we stayed a few nights. The building had a panoramic terrace with peacocks, turtles, pigeons and parrots. During our 3 days stay, we did long walks among the various districts of Lima city and tried different local restaurants. We tasted the traditional dish Ceviche (cold fish in a spicy lemon and coriander sauce with onions) and Causas (a dish made out of mashed potatoes and layered with meat and vegetables)

During our stopover, there were three Christian processions in which the very religious Peruvians conducted either a statue of Jesus or of his mother Maria throughout the streets of Lima to the main cathedral or the monastry of San Fransisco.

By chance, we happened upon a classical recital organized by the Austrian embassy with violin and piano, where we could enjoy some fine Sonatas of Mozart, Schubert and Lili Boulanger.

The patio in front of our room.

The view from the rooftop terrace.

The monastry of San Fransisco.The convent's library possesses more than 25.000 antique texts and its Catacombs contain thousands of skulls and bones

The Plaza de Armas in the historical centre of Lima with the original fountain of 1651.

We visited China Town in Lima...

...and found our equivalent in the Chinese horoscope.

The archbishop blessed the procession in front of his 'modest' palace next to the Cathedral of Lima.

Compared to Europe, the churches are crowded in Peru.

Every day around noon the guards change in front of the Presidential Palace. A fanfare accentuates this whole procedure.

With view on the port. During Winter time, sun bathing is no fun here in Lima.

The traditional fog in Lima.

Between the crows.