We started the day a little late, and were made later still by finalizing our plans for TOMORROW (bus trip to Nazca, and then on to Cuzco). Once we finally got out of the hostal, though, we headed for Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Colombian pyramid complex literally right in the middle of our neighborhood Miraflores. On the way there, we stopped to jam in KFC!!!! WOOOOO!!!!!
At the pyramid, we thought we would be able to get in for free, because the guy in the entrance/ticket booth was asleep when we arrived. His head was seriously just down on the counter, not even with his arms beneath it to cushion it. As I type this, it occurs to me that it would have been nice if 
Sean and I had checked to make sure he was OK and not unconscious for some serious reason... but we just chuckled and walked on by. NICE. The complex was really cool, and the tour took us all the way to the top of the pyramid! The gift shop had coca candies - caramels made with ground coca leaf! We bought a pack but unfortunatly did not feel anything from it. Enjoy the pictures of the site, the surrounding area, and Sean and I taking in the view! 
Also on-site was a little zoo with animals that were common to the peoples who built the complex. We saw our first-ever llama while in South America! There was also a cuy pen - guinea pig. They are neck-snapped, skinned, fried, and eaten here, and Sean and I will probably be consuming them within a few days from now. Deliciosos.
After that we went to the Museo de la Inquisición to see all the dungeons and torture devices used by the Spaniards to make sure everyone was behaving themselves. Sean especially liked the picture to the right -- a mock-up of a condemned witch, complete with a frowning devil on his death cap. It was not as cool as we´d hoped, but still fun. We got a little lost on the way, and got to walk down a pretty intense street with tons of people and vendors. It was fun!
Entering the chamber within...
THEN we went to the Museo Rafael Larco-Herrera. It is off the beaten path but has tons of pre-Colombian artifacts. Ceramics, textiles, metal pieces, and an extra gallery full of erotic pottery! I contemplated putting some of our pics of the erotic art on here and then decided to spare all of you. Needless to say, I´ll never look at a soup ladel quite the same way ever again. Then back to Miraflores for dinner and here we are at the Internet Café.
Upon realizing that I speak Spanish, all our taxi drivers (except for one) have totally h to h´ed it with me. They want to know where we´re from, what we think about Perú, American politics, where were going, the whole thing. It´s been a lot of fun...for me. But let´s face it, it gives Sean a mini-Chris break when I´m chatting up someone else so I´m sure he appreciates it, too. :)
Jammin´ in a taxi.
Tomorrow we take our bus to Nazca at 4:30am, so we might not sleep tonight. I just got off the phone with an airline that will take us up in a Cessena tomorrow to see the lines. Expect plenty of pictures of that experience. In the meantime, if you don´t know what the Nazca lines are, then look no further! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazca_Lines After that we have awhile to check out the town of Nazca then it´s off for our 12 hours bus ride to Cuzco. Looks like tomorrow might be craziest day yet!
And, as promised, we have included the pictures of the Mother of Peru...with a llama on her head. When it was commissioned, the Spaniards in charge asked for a crown of flames on her head. The only problem is that the word for flame in Spanish is...llama. So the craftsmen, who were Peruvians put a llama - the animal - on her head! LOVE IT!!Now it´s off for a few Peruvian beers and then maybe to bed, or maybe not? All I know is, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow, and I for one can´t wait!
Tomorrow, or the day after, we will be unveiling our South America Trip CONTEST for all our loyal readers. There will be prizes. Stay tuned!!! :)
--Chris
Two more pics to enjoy. :)
La Iglesia de Miraflores
Cool fountain in Kennedy Park, near our hostel. There are nightly art expositions here.
6 comments:
Is that a picture of the Llama you are brining back for me?? I am glad you found all those skulls for me too. Wow, I can't wait to see all my gifts! :) I love reading your blog- love 0 lisses
I always get some good laughs when I read this during my morning coffee!
Thanks for the daily reports. If you want to see llamas you could have saved a lot of airfare by going to the Cincinnati Zoo. As for ancient ruins, they just discovered a 4000 year old pyramid on the riverfront downtown while excavating for The Banks. ...Well... Good decision, Chris, about keeping the erotic art off your blog -- your mother is reading this every day!
But seriously, it sounds like you guys are having a great time -- good luck on today's adventures!
Dad
ummm, i love your dad's comment about the pyramid on the banks!! Love it!!!!!!!! i miss you welchy (and sean). got your mail yeterday and checked on things. all is well at your house. the book hasn't come yet, but i'll check again monday. i love the story about the llama and the fire and KFC!!!! when i was in new zealand and mentioned KY, they always said "oh, kentucky fried chicken"...great....love to be known for a nasty, greasy piece of chicken. GO KY!!!!!!!!
enter the chamber within? really?
I like the picture of ancient pyramids and condos in the same shot. And thanks for alluding to your "extraciricular activities."
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