Traffic Anarchy

I survived the taxi ride from the airport. The 4 lane highway was often 6/7 cars across. Indicators are optional probably because changing lanes often involves one step to the right and two steps to the left, four to the right.   Side Mirrors are used to get past another car and then a quick flick to the side to gain the advantage over the other car by blocking his forward movement with the mirror. The game is to keep getting in front of another vehicle otherwise you may not make any forward progress. Can't describe the strategy for intersections as I had my eyes closed whilst holding my breath.

Horns are mandatory, not sure if they make any difference as everyone else is also using their horn.

Traffic-police stand in round special built structure, blowing whistles and wildly moving arms around. Not sure they have any impact as seems they are ignored along with red and green lights. Suppose it gives them a jobs and that helps the economy.

I was awake at 3 am probably still on Melb time and opened the double glazed balcony. Traffic was not as chaotic but this is the city that does not sleep. People walking, sirens, horns, jackhammers, music. 

The air was moist with a fine dew. They say it hardly rains in Lima. Yesterday on the ride from the airport I saw a truck pumping water onto the green grass in the dividing strip in the middle of the highway. I have not noticed much other vegetation, but only been in the downtown area.

The downtown area is monochrome, the majority of the buildings seem to compliment the browny haze, and dull sky and at night the lighting has an orange brown glow. Took me a moment but at night it was still monochrome, where are the neon signs that normally give the night city colour?

I fell asleep and did not wake until midday very unlike me. Missed my free breakfast.

Spanish - GRACIAS still my best word, ordered a coffee from an English speaking waitress and she understood my milk request, when it came I think I was asked if I wanted milk, my response failed and the milk was taken away. I understand a little more than I can convey and can pick up the occasional written word.

The Spanish pronounce the double "L" as a cross between a "Y" and a "J". Getting used to answering to my new name Señorita YJooyd.

In the hotel room, my power adapter worked, but in the lobby the powerpoints are different. I was saved by another hotel guest (a Lima local) who had an adapter from the lobby PowerPoint to my adapter, so piggybacked with 3 adapters charging my ipad. The people I have encountered so far are very friendly and eager to help.

The hotel has a shuttle bus that will take me to Miraflores where the seminar paid hotel is located.

Missing everyone. I am getting emails at my hotmail account so any news from home welcomed.