Trip Reports Home | My Trip Reports | Create Trip Report | Recent Reports | Search Trip Reports

Report 2008: Peru - Land of the Incas

By Paula G. Cullison from Arizona, Summer 2011

Pisco Sour - the National Drink of Peru

Arriving back in Lima was like returning home. I took a taxi and headed for the Miramar Hotel; they offered me a 20% discount for my last night’s stay. Fortunately, my return flight to the US was at 11pm. This gave me plenty of time for a few remaining projects. I met with Ximena, coordinator of Emprendadores project; had a visit with Angela and Juan Manuel who treated me to breakfast and brought me to their lovely condo in San Isidro; and then I took a tour to the ancient city of Pachacamac with LimaVision (as previously noted).

At the meeting with Ximena, I was to learn that the greatest need for these emprendadores (female entrepreneurs who were mostly sole proprietors) was for mentors. The light bulb went on! Through emails I introduced Ximena to Rosenel, President of the AIESEC Alumni group in Lima. They did not know each other or of each other’s projects. As the Alums are all business professionals, I am hopeful that this was a mutually beneficial connection. I also suggested to Rosenel that the AIESEC Alums raise funds to provide scholarships for current students like Milton who are eager to accept an international trainee-ship.

It was such an honor for me to have been invited to Angela and Juan Manuel’s home. They had already framed and displayed the photo I had given them of our respective grandchildren in their Halloween costumes. As a token of our new friendship, they presented me with a lovely ring which I wear often, a reminder of my wonderful trip and their kindness.

On the way to the airport, I noticed that the driver was playing songs from a Beatles CD. I ask him if he liked that music. He was excited to tell me that he had seen Paul McCartney a few years ago when he performed in Lima. His daughter had bought the tickets as a surprise birthday gift. He told me that the concert was a dream come true for him and that his life was now complete and he would die in peace. Well, I certainly hoped that that night wasn’t it, as I had ‘miles to go’ before I slept. I wonder if Robert Frost would have appreciated the use of his words in this context.

Throughout this trip, I continuously inquired about Yma Sumac, the songbird of the Andes, and was saddened to learn that the younger generation does not know of her and her lovely songs. Que lastima! Perhaps there will be a resurgence of interest in the indigenous cultures of Peru.

Anyhow, it was an awesome trip to the Land of the Incas. I hope you too will journey there.

Hasta Luego ... buen viaje!