Perú 2024 - Lima
Peru, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu and world class gastronomy including the #1 restaurant in the world, Central. During my visit, I was lucky enough to explore several beautiful city centers, markets, restaurants, and archaeological sites. I hope you can appreciate the beauty of my motherland.
First stop is Plaza San Martin, Lima, Peru.
Plaza San Martin, Lima, Peru
Plaza San Martin
Peru’s independence from Spain was declared on July 28, 1821, by liberator José de San Martín. Plaza San Martín pays respect to this national hero. The plaza is connected to the more important “Plaza Mayor” through “Jirón de la Unión,” which is primarily a pedestrian street.
While exploring, I stumbled upon an art gallery on the plaza and managed to sneak up to the roof of the building, where I captured a panoramic image of the plaza and a close-up image of the monument of José de San Martín, seen below.
Monument of Jose de San Martin, Plaza San Martin, Lima, Peru
Plaza San martin is home to the “Gran Hotel Bolivar”
The Bolívar Hotel is widely known for its historic importance as one of the first major hotels during the effort to modernize the city of Lima in the 1920s. The Bolívar Hotel was designed by notable Peruvian architect Rafael Marquina and was a temporary home to several Hollywood stars such as Orson Welles, John Wayne, and Ava Gardner. The hotel still maintains its charm from the 1920s, even exhibiting an original Ford Model T and a beautiful stained glass mosaic still intact from the hotel’s inauguration.
Stained glass ceiling, Boliver Hotel, Plaza San Martin, Lima, Peru
During my visit I tasted one of the strongest and most refreshing Pisco Sours I’ve ever had.
Raspberry and Traditional Pisco Sour
As mentioned before, Plaza San Martín is connected to Plaza Mayor through the pedestrian walkway “Jirón de la Unión,” where I took a short walk and captured some of its charm.
Street Guitarist
Iglesia virgen de la Merced, Jiron de la Union, Lima, Peru
Plaza Mayor, Lima
Once I made it Plaza Mayor, Lima’s mayor was presenting a new motorcade for the city. Lima’s Plaza Mayor is similar to the plazas in Spain, almost identical in layout. The plaza always features a cathedral and possibly a government building. In this case, it is the Government Palace.
Corridor in Plaza Mayor
Cathedral in Plaza Mayor, Lima, Peru
Government Palace
Lima, like other cities in Peru, is full of informal businesses and commerce. Everywhere you turn, you will see someone selling candy, souvenirs, fruit, or whatever they can get their hands on, such as lightbulbs, cleaning supplies, and even calculators.
street vendor in typical attire
and just around the corner is…
Church & Convent of San Francisco
One of the most beautiful gems in Lima is the Church and Convent of San Francisco. Here, you can see the different cultural influences in the architecture. The Spanish brought their own architectural style, which already had Arab influence since Spain was ruled by the Moors for several hundred years. The church is recognized for its catacombs beneath the church floor and its beautiful water fountain outside, which is frequently visited by pigeons.
Unfortunately when I visited the entrance was under construction and was completely covered.
Luckily, while I was there, I was able to take the full tour. Unfortunately, photos during the tour were not allowed.
Church and Convent of San Francsico, Lima, Peru
Souvenir vendor hiding behind merchandise
after visiting the church the adventure continues…
Retired Train Station now House of Peruvian Literature
child street vendor
Often, you’ll see little children selling candy or gum. After taking this picture, we gifted the little boy a Hot Wheels car, and it completely changed his day.
street violinist
The staple of any good Peruvian neighborhood is a decent little family bodega. In Lima, we have one literally across the street from our house. In Arequipa, it’s just around the corner. I always remember being sent to buy different things from the bodega, like 3-liter sodas, milk, or even a 6-pack of beer, as a child.
Chinatown, Lima
Chinatown was the most bustling and energetic corner of Lima during my visit; it was nearly overwhelming. As a little kid, when I visited Lima, my father would take me to Chinatown. He used to go there to buy fresh green tea leaves and certain medicines. Every visit to Chinatown required a stop at the corner shop that sold Min Pao, a giant dumpling filled with meat. You wouldn’t quite understand how delicious it is until you try it. The photo above shows the view of the entrance to Chinatown from the Min Pao corner shop.
Larcomar, Miraflores, Lima
The last stop in Lima on the first day of my trip was the Larcomar Mall, which offers a beautiful view of the malecón. From this angle, you can see the regions of Barranco and Chorrillos all the way in the back, where there’s an illuminated cross.
