MUNGO EATS Latin America

We are in Lima, at the house of Betty Piedra, who is the mother of our good friend Giulliana back home.  Originally Giulliana and her husband Lucho were supposed to meet us here, but she decided to get pregnant instead…way to go, and is too fat to fly!!  Just kidding, we are very excited for them, but missing them as well.  Anyway, Betty is taking very good care of us.  I promise to write all about it and post pictures, etc once I can find some WiFi. 

Merry Christmas to all, we will be thinking of you all!!!

This  morning, Betty, our hostess, was also our tour guide.  She took us into central Lima to see the sites.  It’s a very busy city, but there is a lot to see in the centre and as long as you don’t get run  over by one of the “millions” of cars, it’s quite nice.  The centre of Lima is the oldest section of the city, and there are many  beautiful old buildings. 

The presidential palace was open to the public today.  There were two exhibitions present.  One was of Peruvian gold artifacts and the other was a display of nativity scenes from different areas in Peru.  My favourite piece in the gold display, was this ceremonial mask.  I just really liked the BIG nose.   

The nativity scenes were pretty cool.  I think they were from current artists, but some of them were traditional and some were a little less traditional.  In some of the scenes, the characters were modeled after indigenous peoples, wearing traditional clothing.

One scene had characters with extra long necks.  I am not sure why. 

This was my favourite scene, very crowded…just like Lima!!

We visited the San Francisco Monastery with it’s catacombs today.  You can never see enough old bones, Sean says.  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any pictures here.  There is a great painting in the museum, of the last supper, Peruvian style.  Instead of the traditional long table, the apostles are all seated around a large round table.  The supper served is a little unexpected as well.  The main dish in the painting is “cuy”, or roasted guinea pig, a traditional food in Peru.  As well, you can find peppers on the table.  Yep, not the run of the mill “Last Supper” painting. 

Somehow, we also ended up in the Museum of the Inquisition.  I am not sure why we always go see items of torture, but  here is the best photo of this gruesome place.

Oh, hey!  I forgot to tell you that I bought a new camera.  Actually, I finally replaced the one that was stolen way back in Mexico.  I had bought a camera, shortly before starting on the BIG trip, and I really loved it.  Ever since Mexico, I have been looking for the same camera, hoping to replace it, and I finally found it here in Lima (paid less for it here, than in Canada).  The pictures I took today are with my NEW camera.  I still love it!

This has nothing to do with Christmas or cameras, but this is my favourite picture I took today. 

Patiently waiting for the riot to start!