El Primer Bus (April13)

We woke up determined to have a quality breakfast before heading out of Lima. This was rather difficult as Peruvians do not have the same affinity for large, egg-based breakfasts that we have in the US. Nonetheless, we came upon Manolos, which turned out to be a restaurant suggested by our Lonely Planet travel book. We left feeling satisfied by our huevos fritos con jamòn y chorizo.

We attracted a taxi outside our hostel with some difficulty... Why is then when you have no need for a taxi they appear in abundance and when you require one there are no taxis in sight? We were rewarded for our wait with one of the greatest drivers of all time. Not only did he refer to us as "angeles" he spoke to us in slow, clear Spanish. We told him about all the museums we had seen and the food we had eaten, and he gave us numerous suggestions for foods to sample while encouraging us to ask any question we wanted. Again, this taxi driver reinforced our belief that Peruvians are some the kindest and most helpful groups of people on the planet.

The Cruz del Sur bus station was exceptionally clean, and for all the warnings we had been given, not sketchy or concerning at all. Peru has this bus system on lock and we were easily able to print our tickets. The bus was incredibly comfortable, with seats that leaned back almost horizontally. The food, however, was not as pleasing, so the first thing we did when we arrived in Paracas was head to the local corner store.

A giddy young man sold us some mangos and bananas along with our Peruvian saltine crackers; it was not a gourmet dinner, but it was what we both needed after our day. We spent the rest of the evening relaxing outside on our hostel's patio and planning our adventures to the Islas Ballestas and the Paracas nature reserve tomorrow. 

Besitos,

EmBoss