Lima

Well, I've spent two days nosing around Lima, and decided that I'm ready to leave. Yesterday I swung by the Plaza Mayor and visited their Cathedral, where the remains of Pizzaro lie. Today, I saw the National Museum, Gold Museum and Plaza of San Martin. I'm sure there are more sights to see, but I'd rather move on. I have a hard time appreciating things out of context and in museums. Not to mention the amount of information thrown at you in a Museum is usually overwhelming. I'd rather go see actual ruins, get up to Cusco and Machu Picchu and learn about stuff there, where there's history.

I am becoming a bit more comfortable with the Spanish language. I think I use all the wrong words (like saber instead of conocer) but at least the locals are understanding me. Today, I managed to fool a couple taxi drivers, for a bit. I set the price in Spanish and then got in the car. Then I've asked them how they're doing, again in Spanish. They answer in Spanish. And I'm feeling good about myself. Then they turn to me and spout some questions in Spanish, and I'm revealed for the charlatan that I am. \168Uh . . . huh . . . uh, no comprende.\168 Oh well. It's sad, but I'm relying on Spanish 1, 7th grade, from Senor Beck. Gotta love the public school system, and my own lack of dilligence.

I've already had a few misadventures, traveling mishaps, what have you. Already. But, as I heard on NPR before I left the US, people make good decisions based on experience. And people gain experience through making bad decisions. I'm just grateful nothing serious has happened yet. I think I'm coming down with Andy-disease, and this is rather unfortunate timing. (Andy-disease is absent-mindedness, particularly misplacing things and then claiming they have been stolen.)

Let's see, first, I wasted $20 on a pre-paid phone card -- that only works for cell phones. Hmmm. I'm not too sharp, am I.

Second, I wasted another $10 on sunblock and insect repellent that I bought, then left in the hostal lobby. I just left it there. And it was gone when I got back. Hmmm, not too bright, am I. How in the world am I going to make it through 6.5 months??

Third, I had my sunglasses snatched from me. There's humor in this, though. They were a cheap pair of knock-off sunglasses I got at a rest stop on my drive from California to Maryland. Several times earlier, I had put them on because of the brightness of the sun, but taken them off immediately because 1) the lens were so small that they didn't block the sun at all (lack of functional value) and 2) the lens were too dark to actually see through clearly (fashion taking away from my ability to function). I had thought to myself several times, these are worthless! I need to buy new sunglasses! But it was a bit frightening to have my sunglasses snatched off my forehead from behind, and has left me with an unsettled feeling. Now I can't relax here in Lima and am anxious to leave. But I put myself in that situation, by wandering off without knowing where I was, and ignoring my instinct which told me to turn around rather than to walk through that small and smelly street I was walking on. I ignored my instinct since there were people around and it was broad daylight. Bad decion. Experience gained. Nothing lost but a pair of sunglasses I wanted to lose.

Finally, my passport, airline tickets, traveler's checks, credit cards, and a significant portion of my cash were stolen yesterday. I had put them in a locker in the hostal lobby, and put my lock on the locker. Then I took off for the day. I was told not to walk around downtown Lima with my official documents, and it was nice not to have to worry about them. I went into the locker last night to get something out. I opened my lock, opened the locker, and there was nothing in there. I blinked, and looked again. They were gone. How did someone figure out my combo and replace the lock? I didn't panick, but I was angry. I told the hostal clerk and asked him what I could do. He got on the phone to make a phone call. I went back to the locker, and clinging to hope, I opened my locker again. Nothing. I opened the locker above mine. ARGH! There was my stuff! I had left all that unlocked all day! I was incredibly fortunate no one had happened upon my stuff, or if someone did, they were honest enough to leave it. Again, bad move (carelessness). Experience gained.

Off to a night market, which I am looking forward to. This dude from Australia bought a hand-made wooden chess set, featuring the Spanish vs. Incas. It was way cool.