So had a really busy day yesterday. Took a trip into central Lima. Met a guy in the doorway of the Cathedral who offered to take me around all the sights. Why not. The tour was good, it might not have been worth 18 pounds (including tip) cause i´m stingy but it was actually quite interesting and I saw and learnt a lot more about Lima and Peruvian culture than I would have otherwise (i was just planning on definitely going to the San Francisco Convent). The guy (forgotten his name now... oops) was pretty cool, even if i did struggle with his english sometimes. We walked past the govenor´s palace, through a gorgeous convent (not in the guidebooks..), saw Northern Peruvians, "people from the mountains" he said, protesting in the streets, went to Lima´s "China Town" hehe, took a trip around a local market - markets in places like these are so interesting. Saw a variety of animals strung up and live. Took a couple photos of turkeys in a coup, three little ginea pigs in a cage (waiting to be someones dinner... fried guinea pig - "cuy" ...not sure i want to try that..! My guide says its good though...?!) , we both bought a snack which i can only descibe as fried dough. Was tasty though. Bought a couple other dubious things. Then went to the Museo del Tribunal de la Santa Inquisicion - which was interesting. Ended up at San Francisco Convent. Went in and took an English tour. The best part was the Catacomb under the church. Bones, bones, bones! Thousands of bones, sorted into types and arranged in artistic ways..! Weird.

Anyway learnt today that Pervians (well, South America in general) are very religious - very Roman Catholic and a lot of Lima´s architecture is arabic (ie spanish...) based.

My lack of Spanish is beginning to annoy me. Hope I learn A LOT next week!

The culture difference in obvious here but its the little things than make you realise... like seeing a girl push a woman in a makeshift wheechair - a white plastic garden chair with wheels strapped to the side. Lima is a dirty city but i guess the traffic doesnt help that...! You can see they´re trying though. Everywhere you turn someone is brushing the pavements, cleaning and washing bins and lamposts (..?!)

Oooh my plans have changed. Not heading to Cusco yet. Going to Arequipa first. Getting my bus in a few hours. Thought I might aswell since the bus has to got through Arequipa anyway to get to Cusco. And i´ve heard its a nice city.

Interesting to realise that at least half the travellers staying in the hostel i´ve just left were travelling independently. Some even 18, just finished school! Seems crazy but I guess 2 years difference isn´t much...