Sunday March 8 – Early up and about for a quick four hour tour of Lima, the capital of Peru and the fifth largest city in Latin America. Our ship docked in the port city of Callao which is part of the metropolitan area of Lima. According to our on ship's "blurb", Callao retains its own place of importance alongside the capital city as Peru's largest port. Nicknamed El Primer Puerto or the First Port, Callao dates back to 1537, two years after Lima's founding. Although the two cities have become one urban area, Callao still retains its own identity, and its residents are known locally as chalacos. One gets the impression that there may be a slight effort to keep the two locations separate and independent while still cultivating the appearance of unity. Our tour included a 30 minute drive through what appeared to be low income housing and commercial areas into Lima's main square, the Plaza Mayor. Lima is properly proud of the beautiful colonial architecture of the buildings that surround the plaza and especially of the beautiful old balconies that adorn the buildings in what seems to be a definite reflection of a bygone era and lifestyle. We viewed the grounds and exterior of the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace from the Plaza before going on to San Isidro's Huaca Huallamarca, a pre-Inca burial site and then on to Parque del Amor, a popular park named after its contemporary statute dedicated to love. From Parque del Amor, we viewed the long ocean swells that develop into large surfing waves that reminded us of our grandson, Sean, who we thought would love the challenge provided by the surf. From there, we were also able to view the beautiful beach restaurant that sits among the rocks where the sea meets the beach. Our tour concluded at the Indian Market where Peruvian wares of souvenirs, silver, sweaters and pottery were available for a negotiable price. From the market we returned to the ship and an afternoon of varying levels of interest in on board ship activities. Ken is fighting the cold that has been a constant companion aboard ship, a malady in which I understand and sympathize. I am finally in the throes of concluding my stint, but everywhere coughing is a "tune" frequently "hacked". Our day was concluded with a Peruvian folklore presentation aboard ship, followed by the usual amenities of dinner, entertainment and that often repeated restful relaxation of sleep. Peru is a poor country but I felt that it reflected a state of cleanliness a shade better than some of the South American countries we have visite. The communities through which we traveled seemed to be a "tad" better than most and distinctly improved over the favelleas (or shanty towns) that adorn the major cities of Brazil. I continue to marvel at the stupidity of rhe human race. South America should have been a region viable as a great power and independent. Instead, man's lust for power and desire to maintain a status of isolationism and protectionism has resulted in the stagnation and withering of a potential force for greatness . In these dreary times, I cannot help but wonder if this, too, shall be the fate that will ultimately be the finale to my country's great hope and promise.
 Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea
just as happy as can be 
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