The jouney to Cuzco - 22nd Aug - 29 August

So the journey from Cuenca to Trujillo involved a few different bus rides, getting off in the middle of nowhere and changing buses, but people are generally helpful and honest, so made it to the other side without much difficulty. The bus got me into a bit of Trujillo which didn't look anything like the photo two below - it was 5 in the morning and not very nice but once it got light it was safe enough to emerge from the police station where I'd whiled away a pleasant hour or two till my bus to Huanchaco!!

The hostel I stayed at was cheap as chips and pretty nice, but the guy who ran it and his buddy were raving piss heads still given half the opportunity, so it was a bit weird at times. Still, at least he had good taste in tunes and a good sound system. I did the obligatory bit of surfing which I found much less fun than at Mompiche, as the water was much colder and had nasty rocks under it. Still a super chilled place with great food at the local market. From Huanchaco, I made a trip into nearby Trujillo, which was really pretty in the colonial style.

I love shiny paving stones!

I'd also met this crowd of salseros called Pioneros del ritmo on the bus from Tumbes to Trujillo. They were super energetic, good fun and reminded me of my time in Colombia. So I went along to a couple of their warmup performances for the folklore festival. As salseros, they were just a special invited guest.

The other groups were more traditional folkloric dance outfits with costumes to match!

As you can see...

Lima was my first couch surfing experience. Met up with a lovely local girl who worked in education and we did a little walk round the malecon and Miraflores, admiring the paragliders.

I hadn't even realised Lima was on the coast - duh! Had thought I'd be back up in the mountains. As it is, it is perpetually cloudy, but very pleasant. I was particularly pleased with being told by a girl who worked in a fairly flash gringo hostel where I could find what I was looking for - the dirt cheap option!!

Some street art in the historic centre which we passed through briefly on our way up a hill to get views of....

this from above... but what we got was...

fog!!!

After which we rushed to the theatre to see something I still can't quite believe I went to see - Altarboyz. An ironic catholic musical.... All of which meant it was time to head off to my next destination - Cuzco. To do a 10 meditation retreat with the N.S. Goenke branch of vipassana.