Toilets seats and balconies

Two people had warned us that Lima was a truly horrible place. One couple we met warned us that they feared leaving their hotel room, so they didn’t. Another person described the part of Lima we are staying , Miraflores, as like the front part of the toilet seat – ie at least not as bad as the rest. Today we were determined to get out of our rooms and find out if the reports were exaggerated. And they were!
Now this is a city of 9 million people with 50% unemployment and 200,000 unlicensed taxis located in a coastal desert. But there is much to like about Lima and there is a great deal that can only be described as beautiful. A city that is literally perched on a plateau that rises from the Pacific Ocean can’t be all bad. Beautiful pottery and gold artefacts over a thousand years old stored in a converted bank vault are rather impressive. Then there is a beautiful city square that looks to have come from the heart of Europe. In fact it began as the palace for the Inca generals on one side and a temple for Inca worship on the other. Those buildings were replaced by the Spanish, who rebuilt the palace in their own style to confirm that they were now in charge. Of course they also replaced the temple with a Catholic Church. Today the palace has become the office of the president, resplendent with both guards dressed in traditional costume and a few tanks and water canons thrown in for good measure. And then there are the famous balconies – Limas great contribution to architecture. Wonderful intricate carved wooden balconies adorning many of the traditional buildings. So don’t believe those who only see the negatives for there is always beauty to be seen as well.