I'm going to try my best to capture my experience here. This being my first day it is so exciting. I want to go exploring very badly but won't. If I could confidentally speak Spanish, I'd be on my way.

I was still in a dream world last night or this morning when I arrived. I definitely thought immigration and customs was going to be bad, but I was able to walk right through both. I was getting worried that my luggage was lost as it was almost the last piece. But I collected it, handed in my declaration form and was waved through customs. What a relief that was.

As I walked through customs and out to the street I felt like a rock star. There was a metal fence to keep the locals on one side and me on the other. There had to be at least 200 people jammed 4-5 people thick. Not only were there families of people on the plane, but tour operators and a ton of taxi drivers. All trying to get your attention and make some money. Luckily for me, I saw the man who held the card with my name on it. That is kind of weird. Your name so big that everyone can see.

There was actually two men who met me. A driver (how high end!) and the man who welcomed me and told me about my stay. We had about a half hour drive and it went by like a haze. Of course I can't remember either gentlemen's name. While the one drove the other gave me a rundown of my stay. Along the way he would point out a few things. The streets are 3 lanes across - both sides. Very big for what I thought they would be. It was raining lightly so I could not see too much. The streets are not lit so it is very hard to see people hiding in door ways or just crossing the street.

The streets are very clean and I have not seen much litter. Even now in the middle of the day I only see a few pieces here and there. They do have men in bright orange jumpsuits sweeping the plaza and picking up trash across from my hotel, but from what I can see they have nothing to sweep.

Back to the traffic. Can we say insane? After sitting here watching it for over an hour, I have come to the conclusion there are no rules of the road. As long as you have a horn, then I'm sure they'll give anyone a license. When mom & dad were taking me to the airport, we were in the far left turning lane. A van infront of us decided to turn right to go straight. Well in Lima that's normal!

All the cars do having turning lights but I have yet to see anyone use them. They just cut in front of each other. Pedestrians do the same thing. Walk out among the cars and stand in the middle of the street darting in and out of traffic.

I was told by the man who was giving me my first tour of Lima that if I wanted to take a taxi, I had to do 2 things:

1. agree on the price before getting in
2. only take a yellow taxi

We arrived at my hotel and again I was amazed at how nice and modern it is.  There is a casino, few bars, 24 hour restaurant, shopping, gym and tennis courts - also a pool.  All the comforts of home.

I went through the shopping centre & I think I have the money figured out.  I'll just have to be careful and make sure I get them to write down the amount and how much I get back.

I got to my room, tried to unpack but did not know what to do first.  So I took my anti-malaria pills and went to sleep.  The room was warm & humid but I think that helped me sleep.

I got up around 11 am, had a very nice shower and went to eat.  Because I can't speak Spanish, I think I ticked off the host.  Another girl whom I met and is leaving today, came in just before I did.  He was upset at her as well.  I ate some fruit and a small croissant, drank my tea and left.

I went and bought two big bottles of water and a few postcards.

I don't know why but I've been having to pee a lot.  I've been drinking my bottled water but not that much that I should have to go all the time!

The view is incredible out my window.  It has it all - from a clean, well manicured plaza in front of my hotel, to the PALACIO DE JVSTICIA (a grand building) across from there.  Across the road is a small shanty town - showing the years of hard use and poverty.  To the East as the clouds move off you can see the houses just crawling up the side of the hill.

Down on the street corner across from the plaza are 3 men in bright green vests with the $ sign on them.  These are the street side money vendors I've read about.  Thank goodness I exchanged my money at the airport like suggested.  I was lucky that I got the correct exchange rate and amount back.

There are nice tall palm trees in the plaza as well as some beautiful flowers.  Must be nice to have flowers blooming all year long.

I hope I don't run out of film as I've already taken 12 pictures out of 24 and have not been here a whole day yet!

It is fascinating to scan the city through my binoculars.  The rubble and filth intermixed with laundry on lines.  This is definitely an interesting place.

It is also interesting just listening to the traffic - sounds and horns honking - with music playing in the background.  Really very soothing.