Hola mi familia y mis amigos. I am doing my best to renew my blog. Technology here makes it difficult,but we will try. The high-tech infrastructure is weak. Plus, keyboards and other stuff are also different. However, do not give up yet.
My first days have been in Lima. Three days, one and a half too many. Very busy place, many people. Not much color except in the plazas and parks. But, a learning experience still. My hotel, the Bolivar, is and was a historic colonial. Quite nice, except it does have need of repair and maintenance, though the structure itself is beautiful.
I am not much of a museum guy, except, of course for art galleries. And so my disappointment that the one art museum, Museo de Arte, was closed for renovation until April. I have found some art in surprising places, much and most is tied to the Inca tradition in some way. Amazing the detail demonstrated centuries past. Includes the high importance of the shark, bull, owl, puma, condor and snake. Animals are indeed critical to the understanding.
Essentially visited only two places, the central area and one called MiraFlores, which is a section that lies next to the coast. More modern than the central area, upscale, and high dollar. One park named in honor of President Kennedy, another Parque del Amor, which apparently on the weekends fully demonstrates its name. A gigantic stone sculpture of two lovers in grasp and kiss lies within the park. Impressive overlook of the coastline.
Also went to a pre-Inca site, Huaca Pallaca(?). Consisted of pyramid, plazas and outlying buildings. Even though it predates the arrival of the Inca, it still demonstrates amazing ability with structure. They used a form of adobe, with dirt and conch shell, which provided the source for lime. No filler in between the bricks were used. Yet, the structure has withstood numerous earthquakes, even though recent effort to rebuild fallen areas with modernized replica of the adobe have not withstood recent earthquakes. And, we pay rising college costs for skills not able to compete with centuries old abilities? Explain that to me. Anyway, the place was amazing in size. Apparently human sacrifice of young women was an occurrence here. But, before the decapitation they were anesthetized. The burials in the location were reserved for the higher class. The sacerdotes, that is, priests, were buried here. For some reason they were decapitated after death, and a wooden mask was placed where the head once was. Another ritual was the breaking of huge vessels that I could easily hide in, similar to the tradition of some weddings where glasses and plates are smashed. All in all an interesting place.
Back in the central area are numerous beautiful and grand churches. Hard to choose one more beautiful than the next. Totally decorated, showing both the appreciation of art and faith as well as the use of art in developing and demonstrating faith. For me it is too bad, even deplorable, that the modern American church seems (to me) devoid of any connection to art, despite its gift to mankind from a higher power. But, . . . Still these iglesias son muy hermosas. Sculpture and painting in the most impressive demonstration of skill, effort and love. Enjoyed them all.
Did not enjoy the overall stay in Lima too much, though not unhappy with the stay. Just too many. But, lots of activity, particularly after sunset, and the streets filled with people. Too hot for me also, the Colorado Kid. Despite overcast skies I got burned, but I will survive.
I am already in Cusco with my family and have attended the first class. Cusco suits me. In a beautiful valley o.and much more. Will convey more later. Cial
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