Run, Jer, Run: June 14 - 15: Lima - The Beginning of our Journey

June 14, 2014

Toronto, Canada

Five friends set out on a journey that began in Toronto, Canada, ending 6,194 km and 13h 20 mins later in Lima, Peru, including a layover in Bogotá, Colombia.

Our friend, Matt, ended up on another flight that had a layover in El Salvador (pending government approval). This was at Toronto Pearson International Airport, with a product placement from Steam Whistle.

This is Matt, enjoying his late night dinner after the long flight.

Bogotá, Colombia
The layover in Colombia couldn't have been better. We were greeted with two lovely Colombian girls donned in their national football team's jersey, with a face-off against Greece right before our departure. Colombia ended up winning 3-0, which was announced by our pilot (what a slacker, watching live broadcast during work hours).

Taking a picture with two Colombian girls in their national football jersey during World Cup - Item checked off my bucket list

We found a food court at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia and ordered from a fast food place called Presto.

Despite the bad language barrier experience, I managed to get what I wanted with some pointing around. I realized that chicken was called pollo in Spanish after a few days in Peru. [Pro-tip: Don't get the pollo super con filete (chicken super fillet), it was as dry as the Sahara desert.] At 11,600 pesos, it was the most expensive burger I have ever had. Actually, it's only $6.88 Canadian dollars. It's also one of the biggest fast food burger, I have eaten in my life.

Lima, Peru
We finally arrived in Lima, Peru, and found our apartment in the Miraflores district of Lima.

Relaxing in the apartment before going on our adventure

Matt just showing his massive sandwich

June 15, 2014

Our first authentic meal started at Tanta which we randomly stumbled across while walking around the neighbourhood. Surprisingly, it had good reviews on Trip Advisor.

Av. 28 de Julio 888 Miraflores, Lima, Peru

This smoothie is called Loving, which is a blend of strawberry, custard apple and tangerine. To be honest, I just wanted to try what custard apple chirimoya) tasted like as it was advertised as being the queen of all fruits on the menu. It was delicious and I felt rejuvenated after gulping the drink as if I was drinking from the Fountain of Youth.

14 soles = $4.60 CDN

The main dish is called Mr. Mario's eggs in their juice. Two fried eggs on grilled country bread, covered in gravy of stir-fried beef onions, which was a recipe invented by Mario Vargas Llosa (Peruvian Literature Nobel Prize Winner). How could you not order something with such honour? I felt like I was Nobel Prize winner after eating that meal. It was truly the breakfast of the Champions.

19 soles = $7.60 CDN

We took the bus rapid transit called El Metropolitano, which is a dedicated bus lane with a stop at Canada!

We arrived at the Cruz del Sur bus station, waiting to go to Ica. The station is fairly fancy with nice decoration of Andes artifacts. The bus ride is approximately 4h 20 mins.

I was surprised that a meal was served during our ride. It was decent, prevented starvation. The bus experience was pretty comfortable with a leg rest, good padding and reclining seats.

Chicken, potato and carrots with rice served with some salty pastry and a muffin

I decided to order a local soft drink, owned by the Coco-Cola Company, called Inca Cola. It was a total abomination. You can smell all the chemical they added in that filth from a mile away. It tastes like the bubble gum flavour fluoride your dentist gives you. Just thinking about it makes me gag.

Ica, Peru
I've experienced a near death experience while trying to pick up my luggage from the side of the bus. Another bus arrived while our driver was unloading our baggages and parked just inches away from our bus. There was just barely enough space between the buses. It felt like two walls coming closer to you and you were about to be squeezed to death. I have to applaud Peruvians, they are very skilled drivers with little respect for road rules aside from red lights. Stop signs are made to create jobs and for aesthetics purposes.

Huacachina, Peru
We took a taxi to our hostel at Banana's Adventure.

We ate dinner at Desert Nights, the #2 restaurant in Huacachina, according to Trip Advisor. Whenever I go on trips, I try the local cervezas (beer), in this case, Cusqueña, which comes from Cuzco (the beginning of most journeys to Machu Picchu, therefore, the ruins are shown on the label)

5 soles = $2 CDN

This local dish is called Lomo Saltado. It contains stir-fried beef mxied with tomatoes, onions, potatoes (or french fries as they call it) served with rice. It's very good.