Never Taking Things For Granted

Miraflores on a sunny day.

If there is one thing that Lima has taught me so far, it is to appreciate the sun.  Growing up in southern California, I never quite understood how spoiled I was to be able to enjoy the sun during any given day of the year.  Today is one of those days here that the sun has decided to make its appearance.  It is one of those days that you decide that it is better to walk than take a combi because you want to be able to soak up the rays.  Aside from appreciating the beautiful weather outside, I am also beginning to figure out what a Lima student study schedule is like.  Yes, I know that it is hard to believe that the word "study" in study abroad is actually a real thing, but it comes with the territory of cultural immersion. For me, my study habits vary with location.  If I am at the university, it is the library.  The library is quiet, for sure, but if you can snag it, it also provides a great view of the university while you are hitting the books.  For all those days I am not at the university though, I have had to be a bit more creative.  One gem I stumbled upon is a coffee shop called Arabica.  It is a one of those off the beaten path locations that is definitely worth the effort.  From the street, it would be pretty easy to miss as you shops here aren't as prominently advertised in the States.  I found this last week, Arabica to be a place of magic as I entered with lots of reading to do, and left a few hours later with a good chunk of work done and my stomach satisfied with a cappuccino.

A sample of what Arabica is like.

Speaking of satisfying one's stomach, the food here in Lima has two consistent qualities delicious and cheap.  What more could a college student ask for?  However, because I have been so spoiled, I and my other fellow American students have found that our ideas about what constitutes expensive have changed dramatically.  A usual meal for us will cost anywhere from 4-12 soles which translates to $1.50 to $4.50.  Now whenever we see a meal that cost 15-20 or more soles ($5.60 - $7.40) we immediately think that it is too expensive.  An average meal in Subway would cost more than our 15 sol expensive threshold!  It is amazing how much the concept of "normal" can change.

Well, that is all of my updates for you right now.  I am sure I will have more coming soon as tomorrow is Mistura (a huge food festival here in Lima) and on Saturday I will be going to Caral, the oldest cities in the Americas and the second oldest in the world, with my study abroad group.  Until my next post!