When in Lima, Peru, keep in mind that you never have the right of way. Never. Even if there's a little green man on the traffic light indicating you can cross the street, don't dare stepping off the sidewalk without looking both ways. And don't move if there's a car coming … [Read more...] about Getting Around in Lima, Peru
Everything Else
The International Marimba and Vibraphone ‘Vibraciones’ Music Festival in Lima, Peru
Alonso Acosta and Amie Watson (Duo Mestizaje) ad for Vibraciones International Marimba and Vibrahone Festival The International Vibraphone and Marimba "Vibrations" music festival ended last week here in Lima, Peru. After a week of master classes, lessons and concerts the … [Read more...] about The International Marimba and Vibraphone ‘Vibraciones’ Music Festival in Lima, Peru
Climbing in La Escuela: Through an avocado and cherimoya farm
After Las Vinas, fjording a river to get to La Escuela climbing area outside Lima sounded like a cakewalk. It didn't hurt that to get to the river we walked through a rainforest micro-climate home to an avocado and cherimoya farm. "Lunch?" I asked one of my climbing friends. … [Read more...] about Climbing in La Escuela: Through an avocado and cherimoya farm
The Funny Thing About Lima…
"The funny thing about Lima..." I feel as though that sentence could go anywhere. There are all sorts of bizarre things here. Such as: Waving your hand out the window of your car simply to feel the air in a city where the air is a) not fresh, and b) limited in the space between … [Read more...] about The Funny Thing About Lima…
Bearing Your Cross: A Lima City Tour and the Cathedral’s Catacombs
"Do you observe the pictures of the Parque des Aguas, hmm? Behind are the fountains, greater as Dubai and Las Vegas. We are the highest fountain. 80 metres, okay? Yes." How many tour guides does it take to drive a writer insane? Just one, it turns out, when combined with a bus … [Read more...] about Bearing Your Cross: A Lima City Tour and the Cathedral’s Catacombs
Back to the Bioferia Organic Markets in Lima
Two years ago when I discovered the Bioferia in Parque Reducto I was very impressed. A completely different demographic shop at the expensive market instead of the Mercado Surquillo or Central. A large percentage of the customers are foreigners, a lot of hippies that you don't … [Read more...] about Back to the Bioferia Organic Markets in Lima
One Step Closer to Fields of Lucuma
Part 1 in getting to my "fields of lucuma" involved meeting with Carlos Escárate, the representative from the company Eco Fields that exports the lucuma powder imported by Prana in Montreal. So I headed to Barranco in Lima to the warehouse from where they ship the (5kg 10kg?) … [Read more...] about One Step Closer to Fields of Lucuma
“Cheat the Seasons in Lima” – Article in the Montreal Gazette
I'm back in the Montreal Gazette this week with a travel feature on Lima, Peru. Read all about food markets with walls of dried chilies and exotic fruit, heaps of linens, extreme bus tours up rail-less mountains, spiced potato and shrimp causa and ceviche, plus when to go and … [Read more...] about “Cheat the Seasons in Lima” – Article in the Montreal Gazette
Land of Cocktails, Lima, Peru: Astrid y Gaston, Art Deco Lounge and La Emolienteria
Lima, Peru has a cocktail culture all its own. While classic cocktails are seeing a revival in Canada, and I dream of New Orleans when I think about a certain speakeasy in Toronto that made me fall in love with Fernet Branca, Lima couldn't give two figs about Manhattans, and the … [Read more...] about Land of Cocktails, Lima, Peru: Astrid y Gaston, Art Deco Lounge and La Emolienteria
Much More a Missus Than a Mrs.
I was biking in heels and a gold scarf the other day. Maybe not such a common occurence in Montreal. You see a lot of men in suits but women in heels? And it was a Thursday afternoon and I was in NDG - not exactly the financial district of the city. I'm used to not paying … [Read more...] about Much More a Missus Than a Mrs.