Images of Peru

In my initial impressions of Peru, I stated that trash is everywhere. This continues true, but the Peruvians have one quality that trumps all others. They are some of the friendliest people I have ever met. Almost everyone waves as we go by. They come over to talk with us when we are stopped and they are interested in our trip. They go out of their way to help us and are very accommodating to motorcyclist. The hotel in Trujillo allowed us to park the bikes in their resturant. They wave us to the heads of construction zones and allow us passage against oncoming traffic. The owner of the oil change shop - who had worked in Murfreesboro TN didn't want to charge us for using his facility. We tipped him accordingly.
In the south we claim the mantle of Southern Hospitality, but we could learn a lot about true hospitality from the Peruvians.
Other than the larger cities, all the riding has been through the desert with its varying landscapes. There have been high dunes, high cliffs looking the Pacific and blowing sand everywhere. At times yesterday we estimated the wind was approaching 50 mph and there was near brown out conditions. Yet the locals live and survive there in meager huts surrounded by cane woven windbreaks. At times we passed patches of various farm crops and chicken houses.
We arrived in the capital of Lima last night and intend to remain here another day to visit the city and to visit with Roger's brother-in-law's family who are Peruvian.
Lima is a large city and very metropolitian in the center. It looked like Times Square as we rode in looking for a hotel last night. Athough very modern and business like in the downtown area, it is surrounded slum areas of tiny shacks that are sprawled over the hillsides. I am sure we will have a better report after touring the city.
I want to leave you with a variety of images we have taken in Peru. The last two were taken in Ecuador with the cathedral being in Cuenca.