The population of Peru is about 30 million made up mainly of Amerindians (app 45%) plus of course, descendants of the Spanish colonialists (15%). The rest consists of an eclectic mix of immigrants from countries as diverse as Japan, Italy, China, Croatia and Ireland. many of whom arrived after World War II. The capital, Lima, is a big city – about the size of London. But, as there are few high rise blocks, it is spread over a greater area. Inevitably the ‘sights’ are not bunched up all in one place so I had to fight my way through the horrendous traffic for close to an hour to get to the centre of old Lima. But it was worth it.
One of the newer ‘treasures’ is San Martin Square named after Jose San Martin, the liberator of Peru from the Spaniards.
He’s the guy on the horse. Although this square looks a bit olde worlde colonial it was, in fact, built less then 100 years ago to celebrate the centenary of Peru’s independence from Spain.
Incidentally, the sign means ‘don’t walk on the grass’ and not what you might think!
A pedestrian walkway full of designer shops and some interesting buildings
leads you to Lima’s most important and well known square, Plaza de Armas. Spain may not have been the most benevolent colonial power but their architectural legacy is stunning
the more so when you consider that this square has origins back to the very early part of the 16th century.
At the north end is Peru’s equivalent of Buckingham Palace
where I arrived just in time to watch the changing of the guard, performed with considerably more pomp and ceremony than I recall ever happening on a daily basis outside Buck House.
For obvious reasons
I couldn’t get too close to the action but what I did see made me chuckle. The guards marched to the accompanying sound of some stirring oompah, oompah music
all doing an impression of John Cleese and his silly walk.
At this point, I started to giggle so had to walk away as I was getting funny looks from the assembled crowd! So I headed towards another musical sound (more like horns blaring) which turned out to be a union demonstration.
It seems the health service in Peru has as many problems as the NHS! It was all very well behaved and although there was a high police presence, it was pretty laid back.
as were the local souvenir sellers.
Tonight, Peru play Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match. The 70,000 capacity stadium is not far from here and most of the bars and restaurants will be showing the match. As sounding car horns seems to be a national obsession, I suspect that, if underdogs Peru beat Brazil, I won’t get much sleep tonight!
Phileas
thelasthurrahsite 