Lima

Lima is covered in clould like smog for 8 mths of every year and contributes to high respiratory problems for the residents. The cloud is created by several factors - not just pollution - from this most populated Peruvian city.

The electronics market is a good source of almost any DVD you can imagine and you can get entire seasons of shows for $5. In English of course :)

Stay at the Original Casa del Mochilero! It is the one of the best backpackers in South America. The people who work there are so friendly. The showers are hot, there is a good communal tv/dvd room, a shared kitchen, a shared dining room, comfortable beds. What more could you ask for? It is in a good location, Miraflores, walking distance to the Vivanda Supermarket which makes fresh squeezed Orange Juice every day, walking distance to the waterfront, and to bus stops taking you to the city and to other neighbourhoods. A lot of travellers we met didn't like Lima at all, but we loved it, and I think one of the reasons is that we stayed at Casa Mochilero. Also in the trendy neighbourhood that begins with a B, I think there is a very good Fair Trade Coffee shop that also has a section of Fair Trade souveniers.

In Lima the San Francisco monastry is a place you should not miss! It was build in the 15. century with catacombs underneath where everybody was burried here till 1821, after that only the monks of the convent. The last one was burried in 2006. You can visit the catacombs full of bones, the very old library, the church, parts of the monastary, the museum with wonderfull rooms and paintings. Entry 5 Soles per person including a guide.

For a fun shopping day:
The street Jr. de la Union connects the two main squares Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin.
It is a pedestrian zone with shops, restaurants, fast food, cinemas and lots of people! PS: There is good shopping oppurtunities in Lima. Nice stuff for good value!

It might feel unwelcoming at first but, don't let that take stop you from seeing one of the best architecture jewels of Latin America .

Small port city outside of Lima. It is a relatively dangerous place and you should not travel around at night, especially alone. There are maybe 1 or 2 sight seeing areas, but only go in daytime and with people. Watch for muggers at all times.

Excelente la gastronomía, y muy buenos espectáculos ;-) ... y una imagen de Cristo muy fraterna.

Now here is a place, has to be one of the most polluted cities i've been in. But we were only there a short time before going on our adventure so no complaints.

Don't forget to visit the Hueco, a gigantic open market in the middle of the city, where you can buy CD or DVD for 0.5 € ...