This was Francisco's last day in Lima and there was something he wanted to do: Paraglading!!! During the morning he took a tour, later he let me know that when they were visiting some parts of town he was saying to himself: "I've already seen it with Yadi ;)" We were thinking about having lunch and hang out until it was time for him to go to the airport. I met him at 2pm in Miraflores and before going to eat I thought it might be better doing the paragliding, just in case, hehe.

It was my 2nd time doing paragliding, but it was the 1st for Francisco. He was really excited about it. First time I did it was in summer with Shawn (a TB), it was super!!! This time would be different since it was winter and it was really windy. I talked to the instructor and he told me that the wind would help us a lot. Before starting Francisco had to bargain and got a good deal, haha. We flew for 15min. It was awesome and since it was my 2nd time doing it, the instructor asked me if I had any problem doing 360o turns, perfect!!!

We did it and not only once, 3 times yeah!!! We were flying pretty low and the instructor wasn't sure if we'd be able to go up, but since I'm little there was no problem and we did it. When we landed, Francisco was already there. We both felt really excited. I could barely feel my legs, haha. After the excitement was over, we realized we were starving, haha.

We drove to Larcomar and went to Tony Roma's, haha. I know, I know, this is not Peruvian, but the view was great and we were to excited to drive further away, haha. After a delicious meal and taking more pics we left Larcomar. Mmm, what to do now? Francisco has already done the check out. He was just missing buying a backpack. Now he has the travel bug and needs to be ready, haha. He saw one in one of the stores in Miraflores neighborhood. I went with him, asked for the price and told him to come with me to other store, just to compare prices. He was getting tired, until we found another store. And we found a big backpack 50% cheaper, haha. Well done!!!

It was getting late and I should go back home early, since my aunt would visit me. But before we went for our last coffee. Again we didn't get a coffee. He got his last Cuzquena and I got a juice. Francisco: I'm  gonna miss you so much!!! We had fun every single minute. Now is my time to program a visit to Puerto Rico and meet my new friend :).

A Meet Up would be a great idea and I wouldn't complain about a Post Post Post Meet Up ;)

At 7pm we met in front of the church. Francisco and Rene met Cinthia in front of their hostel and let her know we'd meet at 7pm, but she didn't show up. Jim and Yuli let me know they would join us later, just let them know where we were going. Malvin called me and told me he'd meet us around 10pm, just had to let them know where we went. He was with Julio and Angie, other TB. Ok, what to do know? I called Romain and he suggested me to have a bbq at his place. That sounded great, but we weren't sure how many people we'd be finally, plus we were lazy about cooking and weren't hungry since we ate a lot. Where to go? Just turned back and saw it: T A Y T A, haha. And it was Sat, which means they had a promotion with Pisco, haha. No need to think further, haha.

Tayta wouldn't be open until 9pm. I called and made a reservation but we had time to kill, so we went to a cafe. We needed coffee, haha. We weren't hungry, but ended sharing an appetizer Francisco ordered, haha. My coffee? I'm a good girl and just had a juice, haha. We were just chatting and relaxing when I got Lili's call. I told her we'd go to Tayta. It was 8:30pm and she was already there. She asked for the reservation and was at our table already. So we left the cafe. I sent SMS to the rest of the gang, letting them know we were going to Tayta.

At the beginnig we were just 6 people: Lili, Paca, Rene, Shawn, Stacey & me. Jos went back to his hotel to pick up some stuff. But we started ordering our first piscos of the night, haha. It was pisco night, haha. I decided to try the new one: chicha morada + pisco, mmm, tasted lke a juice haha. We were just relaxing and chatting. We got one of the couches. Not the biggest, but enough room for us... at least so far...

A couple of piscos after, Romain and Elena arrived. Yeah! Pls, bring some extra chairs, haha. We were just remembering the whole show the night before and they were asking if we ended going out after the show, yes we did! haha. Ok, back to my roots and order the Maracuya sour. Paca & Shawn got the same conclusion: the best pisco is the traditional pisco sour! So they decided to drink just that one, haha.

Around 11:20pm Malvin arrived. He was with Julio & Angie, great!!! More chairs, please! haha. It was almost midnight, so the waiter came and let me know the promotion would be over in a couple of minutes, so it was time to get another refill, haha. Mario, my bro, you were present that night. Paca and I were talking about you for a long time, haha. It was great here, I mean so cozy and laid back. Perfect!

At midnight, more people arrived. There were: Michael, Iveth & a friend of them who is not on TB but became part of the gang, haha. More drinks and we were ready to dance without going to the dance floor next door, haha. We were enjoying also the live music, haha. oh! what am I listening to? Is it...? yes, it was Madonna! Stacey, please, it's our turn, haha.

Almost at same time as Michael, Yuli & Jim arrived. Wow! Jim looked different! No beard, new hair cut... new look! haha, now we went  next door to the dance floor. The dance floor was crowded but we found the way to find a spot and danced haha. From time to time, we went back to our table to get our drinks and see how the rest of our gang were having fun, haha.

After several piscos, tons of laughs and lot of fun we were ready to leave. It was 4 am and place was getting less crowded. I was getting tired and was ready to go back home. I left the place at 4:15am more less. Well I didn' t lie to mom. I arrived early NEXT MORNING, haha.

Oh! This would be the end of the Meet Up for most of the people... I said good bye to my new friends.
But the Meet Up wasn't over for all of us. Tomorrow I would hang out with my 3 knights (Shawn, Francisco & Rene), if we would be able to wake up, haha. We'll see...

Around 11:30am I opened my eyes and thought: "just 5 more minutes!!!" Then I realized the Post Meet Up!!! Stood up, jumped into the shower and was ready to leave. As we agreed the night before actually that day earlier, we met in front of the church at 1pm. The group was formed by: Rene, Jos, Stacey, Francisco, Paca, Shawn, Malvin & me. It was a bit sunny, but that wasn't the reason why everyone was wearing sunglasses, haha. We were quiet, shhh, haha. I got a call from Julio telling me he was in downtown, so he'd join us in the evening. Well, I haven't planned anything. I guess my organizational skills were overworking the past days and needed to take a break, haha. So after vote, we ended going to Mango's in Larcomar. Why Mangos? because they had a buffet, haha, so not even needed to think about the food, haha.

In our way to Larcomar we met Romain and Elena, haha, so fun. Romain asked me about the plans for the evening and I just said: No plans! haha. So we agreed to talk later to figure it out where to meet and what to do, haha. Finally we arrived to Larcomar. Before going down: picture time! haha. After some flashes we went to the restaurant. We were lucky to find a table without doing any line, haha.

We weren't still sure if we would have the buffet, but Rene was already grabbing his first dish, haha. At the end almost all of us got the buffet. Nobody wanted to drink alcohol, not yet, haha. So Inca Kola for the whole table, except Rene who got Chicha Morada - the Peruvian soft drink. It would be Paca's first Inca Kola haha. We were just chilling out, very laid back and of course talked a lot about the Meet Up and our impressions, haha. After a delicious but really filling meal, we were ready to leave. It was around 4pm.

The group split. Rene and Francisco went to look for a camera, Stacey would go to a bus station to look for tickets, Malvin had to meet a friend; so they left, but before they were gone we agreed to meet at 7pm in front of the church. The other 4 went to the Love Park and walked around for a while. Then Jos went to his hotel, Paca & Shawn to the Indian Market and I went back home.

I had barely time to change clothes and check if I got any message. When I was about leaving mom exclaimed: "Again?!?!" "Yes again, but I'll be back early..." I didn't specify early that night or early next morning, ooooooops ;)

After taking a break in our busy agenda, we met in Miraflores (in front of the church as usual) at 6:30pm. This time Mark was carrying his bag, he wouldn't join us all night long, since he had to catch his flight back home. Martin, Marian, Pavel & Dan weren't carrying their big bags, but they would have to leave us early too. So sad... but we would meet new TB's, locals and foreigners. I had already got a SMS from Paca who was already in town, yeah! My bro arrived!!! At that time we were: 12 people, ready for our next stop. Later we would go to a peña, but before we would do some sightseeing in one of the most charming areas of Lima: "Barranco". We took 3 cabs and drove there...

Barranco is the bohemian area of Lima. I was showing them around. There is a nice bridge called the sigh bridge. But before crossing the sigh bridge, I told them about a tradition. You can make a wish, but you have to cross it with eyes closed if this is your first time. So the wish you made, would come true... I know it was a crazy but also fun idea. Hey guys! I have been taking care of you these past few days, wouldn't you trust me one more time? :P It was so fun, I was leading a line of "blind" guys, haha, all of them holding the other's shoulders, haha. There was an Indi guy walking around and couldn't believe what he saw it and started taking pics of us, haha. We should have been looked like crazy, but fun people haha.

When we crossed the bridge, as usual, boys came to us advertising their restaurants. One even offered me going there for free - just me - if I went with the whole gang, haha. There were 2 musicians and Mark asked for the guitar of one of them and performed a song for us. Cool!!! He should have been paid for that, haha. Then Malvin came to me and gave me a rose, so sweet!!! Me, with a rose and surrounded by 11 amazing guys. What else could I ask for? We went to the view point and while we were there I got the SMS from Jim. He and Yuli (a TB from Chiclayo - the north of Peru) were already in Barranco, yay! Our group was growing and growing. We went to our next stop: The Angel's Place. This is a small cozy bar - although they call themselves "Cultural Cafe" haha.

Lili joined us there. We were early and got a room just for us :) I had with me the shirt for the guy who came from furthest away. The winner would be Malvin and I asked everyone to sign it, hehe. Before going into this place I got a SMS from James (Paca) saying he was in front of the church, but OMG wrong church, haha. So he texted me again when he was in front of the right one. Francisco joined me to pick James. It was just 3 blocks away. I haven't seen him before in real life, but was so easy to recognize him. He's really tall! Plus he was the only one wearing jeans during a wedding, haha. He was taking pics of a couple going out of the church. Well, we didn't need to say anything. I think we just exclaimed: "My friend!" and then a huge hug!!!!

We went back to the Angel's place. Everyone was already ordering something to drink. We had a toast, but we couldn't stay too long since I had reservations for the peña. There was a show which would start early... I have to accept I was starting to freak me out. Sorry guys!!!! :P
Oh! one funny story. Our group was always the center of attraction wherever we went and this place wasn't the exception, but the waiter surprised us too. He looks and talks like an Argentinean but was born in Philippines, haha. Such a mix, like all of us - super!!!! We were having our beers and trying to chill out. Ok, the t-shirt was ready, it was almost time to leave but before doing it...

This was the last meeting during this Meet Up for Mark, Martin, Dan, Pavel & Marian. Since the plans for the Lima Meet Up started - some months ago - we thought about giving the TB's peruvian gifts. Jenny and Romain helped me buying chullos (peruvian hats). I had some with me, fortunately enough for everyone, ufffff! But Romain had more for the people going straight to the show. I'd meet him there. Anyway, I decided to give the chullos to the gang right there, since we all shouldn't be going to the show. They were amazed, didn't expect that. I wish I could have done it in the show, with the rest of the TB's. But I couldn't wait, plus it wouldn't have been possible since that place is really loud. Ok, group pics and individual ones with our chullos.

Ready to leave? No, there was another surprise and this time for me! OMG. I think everybody knows by now - at least all of the people who went to my house - I'm crazy about pics with or from friends. Actually I'm running out of walls, haha. So they gave me the greatest gift: pictures from last night, great framed and signed by all of them, awwwww. I started to feel tears... oh oh. But they were happy ones :)
More hugs and kisses and it was time to leave.

At the door we should say good bye to: Dan Mark, Martin, Marian & Pavel. See you soon, my friends! Let's go to the show and get the party started :)

Attendants: at the beginning
USA: Mark (travelman727), Shawn (geerbox) & Stacey (Xstacey)
Philippines: Rene (RENESO)
Netherlands: Jos (jos-nijenhuis)
Slovakia: Martin (skydiver), Marian (not a TB)
Sweden: Dan (engertdan)
Czech Republic: Pavel (Pavel_Jacko)
Puerto Lico: Francisco (frankrn)
Singapore: Malvin (malvin_soh)
Peru: Yadi (yadilitta)

they joined us during the sightseeing:
Miraflores: Jim (JimLNA)
Chiclayo: Yuli (Yuliana151)

they joined us at the Angel's place:
Lima: Lili (liliana77)
James aka Paca: (jmaxiv)

told you, group is getting bigger and bigger...

Ufff, the stories about Friday are endless, well almost, I'm getting closer to the end, haha. Ok, where was I???  Well we all went back to our tables. The presenter was on the stage and a girl came with flags from different countries. The presenter asked our foreigner friends is they were enjoying the show. "Are you enjoying Peruvian Folklore? Well, now is time for you to share something from your Folklore!" He took one by one the flags and asked our foreigner friends to go to the stage. But there was a small problem. There weren't flags from Singapore or Philippines. So the presenter took a Peruvian one and said to Malvin and Rene, that for that night he'd share his flag with them ;) There were around 20 foreigners from 16 countries, most from our table, haha. Anyway, the presenter was turning back when I told him he was missing somebody: Paca!!! "Oh yes, the Scottish giant!" haha

So now, the show will start. The band would play a traditional song of the country and the ambassadors should dance it. If they had a special request, they'd be able to ask for it. The presenter started to called country by country. Ecuador: He was a young boy who called his mother and both danced nice. Uruguay: A couple performed a traditional dance, so fun. Mexico: there was a man who danced the famous "Jarabe Tapatio".

Ok, the presenter couldn't forget his French friend and now France: The presenter wanted to try something different and at first they tried to sing "La Vie en Rose" so fun, but then they danced the Can Can, haha. Did Romain dance alone? No way! The presenter joined him, haha.  Now was time for South America. There were a man from Bolivia - who danced a morenada, an Argentinean couple - they danced the tango, and a man from Paraguay - he called his pregnant wife and they both danced great!

Now let's go to Asia... It was the turn for Singapore! Mmm, not only they didn't have Singapore's flag, but also they didn't know what music to play... at the end the presenter started to dance something Thai, that's what Malving told me... After the Thai song they danced different things including some John Travolta movements, haha. Didn't matter, the whole audience was laughing, haha. Staying with the Asian friends, our Philippines Ambassador. I didn't know any dance from Philippines, but the presenter did. At least I think so... I don't know the name but it involved a lot of jumping haha. Rene did it great!

Back to Latin America. It was turn for Puerto Rico. Mr. Puelto Lico, Francisco, would dance a salsa, but he needed a partner, mmm. Who was the chosen lady? Our sweet Nelly!!! They both dance really good! Well done, Francisco!!! After the salsa lesson it was time to "fly" to the old world: Europe and the 1st country was: Germany. Michael danced something supposed to be German (?). Anyway he had fun, and so we did. Suddenly the band started to play a kind of rythm I recognized. It was Scottish! haha. Scotland's Ambassador: Paca started to dance and did it very good! The presenter didn't expect he could dance so well, haha. Surprise!!!

Just 3 more European countries: Greece - a girl danced with the presenter, Spain - two brothers danced a bit of flamenco and then sang a song from a Spanish rocker haha, so much fun, the coreography also, haha. Netherlands & Holland: I don't know exactly what they danced. There were Jos and a crazy boy! The 2 of them with the presenter danced and laughed haha.

As usual, the presenter left for the end the USA. Why? well, maybe because they are the biggest gang... There were 4 Americans + a Canadian, 3 of the Americans were TB's: Stacey, Shawn & Jim. Ok, which can be a traditional American song? They started with "Moonwalker", haha. But that wasn't everything. Now, let's go with YMCA! Hahaha, that was hilarious. And Jim was wearing his chullo (Peruvian hat), sweet!!!

It was late and the show was about to end. One more dance and it was over. Before the last dance I gave to Malvin his award for attending to the Lima Meet Up from so far away. He's the one who came from furthest away. Until the day before I thought Rene would win but I checked that in internet, haha. The award was as the Meet Up's tradition says: a shirt signed by all the TB's!!!
It was 3:15am and people were leaving. Would we go to sleep now? Some did it so, and others took a cab in direction to Tayta! haha

Night is young and we were full of energies...

After a couple of piscos, hehe, we were ready to go to the karaoke and sing. Let the rest of the gang enjoy our beautiful voices, haha.
Lili had arranged a box in a karaoke in Miraflores, just in front of the park, walking distance. Some took a cab and other just walked there. When we arrived I was suprised I saw somebody alone in the box... when I got closer (I wasn't wearing my glasses), I recognized her. She's another TB! A local, one: Susan, but it was the 1st time I saw her in person. She could join us! The more the merrier :)

There were 3-4 books full with songs in different languages, mmm. Choosing would be a difficult decision, mmm. Mark went first, he already knew what to sing. We started ordering drinks too. Most of the gang got beers, Francisco started with the Pisco, since he didn't have anyone at the Pisco Place but Pavel & I were the only ones having Cokes. Why? well, I had to wake up early the next morning, haha.

Dan started to take a close look at the book and chose different songs. Asked me which song I liked and wrote it down, OMG!!! Would I sing a Madonna's song? We all were having fun, but still a bit shy until... Dan might look quiet and a bit shy, but then we saw some lyrics at the tv and the show started. "Because I got high" was the perfect choice. I didn't know Dan was such a great performer, he didn't just sing, he was rapping, clapping, haha. Everyone stood up and started to shout and dance, haha. This was the key song of the night, after that everyone wanted to sing, haha.

What about Marian? well, he couldn't sing, but he was taking pics and making videos. I hope I can watch them, haha. Nelly & Francisco sang a Lating song as a duet. Very, very nice. Jos said he wouldn't sing, well he said that the day before and now he was singing haha, encouraged by Mark, haha.

I was just chatting and laughing when I saw they were playing "Like a Prayer" OMG! Dan gave me the mic and said: Sing! but I wanted to do it alone so I looked at Stacey and she wasn't sure, but when the song started, we became the Madonna's duet, haha. And everytime we listened to Madonna during the whole weekend, we became the duet again ;) This girl is awesome!!!!

Outside they were playing some salsa, so Nelly & Francisco went to the dance floor. Francisco & I also danced in the box, haha. He dances very well. He proved to be: Mr. Puelto Lico!!!! So sorry, the box wasn't bigger, but it was good, since we all were close and could be more fun, haha. Drinks kept on coming and coming. James was a bit quiet at the disco place and didn't sing much this time, but this guy knew how to drink pisco sours, haha.

Now, Miraflores official song: "We are the Champions!" and the performers were the 2 Miraflorinos: Jim & Romain. These guys are just awesome! They might be foreigners, because they were born in other countries, but they feel theirselves more Peruvians than a lot of people. I say it Romain, it took me a long but: you are Peruvian!!!! Everyone stood up and sang the song, was super!

ok, it was almost midnight and I talked to the cab who was picking Shawn from the airport. The last TB of the night was already in Lima. He'd stay in an appartment a couple of blocks away and I had the keys, haha. So Romain joined me there and we met Shawn. It was so good to see him, big hug!!!!! Romain couldn't stay longer and left, but I went back to the karaoke with Romain.

I warned Shawn he would have to sing, haha. Jim was waiting for Shawn the whole night and when they finally met, it was like meeting an old friend. He were in touch before Jim came to Lima. Shawn even sent Jim something for me, so sweet!!!! Shawn had a hard weekend, but it didn't stop him ordering a pisco and start catching up with the gang, haha.

Suddenly, a revelation: a duet in Japanese... they performers: Lili and Martin. Lili has an amazing voice, perfect!!! She could have become a singer, seriously. Everyone was just listening carefully. I didn't understand anything, but it sounded so sweet. Dan was making up some lyrics haha.

Around 1am the girl came and let us know they had to close. One more, one more... we stayed there until 2am, when they were closing the doors, haha. Anyway we should leave and most of us were tired. Time for a beer? I'd love to, but had to accept I needed to sleep, haha. We said good bye and agreed to meet the next morning at 10 am. Hopefully we'll make it, hehe.

without voice and a bit tired but so so happy, I went back home...

Attendants: 17 singing fun guys
USA: Mark (travelman727), Stacey (Xstacey), Shawn (geerbox)
Philippines: Rene (RENESO)
Netherlands: Jos (jos-nijenhuis)
Slovakia: Martin (skydiver), Marian (not a TB)
Sweden: Dan (engertdan)
Czech Republic: Pavel (Pavel_Jacko)
UK: James (Tarb)
Puerto Lico: Francisco (frankrn)
Peru: Nelly (nellysweet), Lili (liliana77), Susan (sweetlover) & Yadi (yadilitta)
Miraflores: Romain (romancito), Jim (JimLNA)

the number was growing and growing... I love it!!!

Some sightseeing in Miraflores was part of the Pre Meet Up. 4 boys (Martin, Pavel, Dan & Marian) have already been in Lima and didn't want to do the sightseeing again, besides they were leaving early Saturday and needed to buy some souvenirs. So the group got smaller, just 8 people. At 4:30pm we met in front of the Church - again, haha. We took 2 cabs and drove to Huaca Pucllana, a Pre Inca Pyramid made of adobe. Unfortunately it was closed. Grrrr, I should have checked the hours, grrr. We couldn't walk around the whole pyramid, but at least were able to go to the front and take some pics. I tried to explain the group a bit of the Pre Inca Civilization.

Ok, we were ready here, so we kept on going. This time to the Love Park - Parque del Amor, where the 4 boys would join us. We started taking pics. Group pics, girls' pics, boys' pics, couples' pics, haha. Oh! and there was a boy who was following us saying: "No entiendo" (I don't understand). I thought it was because we were talking in English. Francisco talked to him in Spanish, but he kept saying the same. So Martin talked to him in Slovak: "Now, you can say you don't understand, haha" Don't remember how many, but we took tons of pics, haha. We were ready to keep on moving, but our next stop: The Pisco Place wouldn't open until a bit later...

So we decided to walk around and went to another park. It was windy and getting a bit chilly, but it didn't stop us to take more and more pics, haha. It was getting late and the Pisco Place was just 5 blocks away, so I suggested to walk there. This place is very popular and is always crowded. Personally they have the best Flavoured Pisco Sours, they mix the Pisco with different fruits, yummy!!!! I posted in the Forum that Huaringas would be our stop at 8 o'clock, since they open at this time. We arrived 20 min earlier, but I decided to ask if we could go inside and we did it, haha.

There were some tables in the 2nd floor waiting for us, yeah!!! There were 3 other local TB's in their way. They would arrive any minute, but we were thirsty, so we started ordering the piscos, haha, plus something to eat. Dan wanted to drink something non alcoholic for now, haha. I suggested a juice and he agreed, then he closed the menu and asked me to order for him: "I trust you!" So sweet!!! And Pavel did the same, he asked me which Pisco I'm gonna take and he chose the same one, haha. One of the tables got a Peruvian appetizer with anticuchos (a stick with pieces of cow's heart, very tasty!) potatoes and corn. Ok, at this point I started feeling like a mom, haha. I ended up fixing the plates, haha. Well, I loved it! Just seeing all the people smiling and having fun, was the best reward! By the way, they loved the anticuchos!

Lili arrived, yeah! Hi dear!!! She told me she could barely wake up that morning, haha. So better not to drink tonight, but she took a sit and orderes her Pisco ;) People kept on trying the different flavors of pisco sours. We were doing research, haha, trying to find the best one. Well, for me the best one was the first I tried: "Granadilla with grapes".

I took a look at the entrance and recognized this short guy: Romain! haha, How couldn't I recognize my giant? haha, so glad he could join us. He told me he would n't be able to stay until too late, since he had to work the next morning. Well, we'll see, hehe. James was a bit quiet, so I asked Romain to make him talk and have fun and he succeeded. Thanks Rom! Ok, so far I had 2 piscos... My glass was empty again, haha. Pavel looked that and finished his pisco too. It was time to go for the 3rd haha.

While we were waiting for the 3rd one, Jim "The Hunter" arrived. I consider him as a local TB, since he has been living in Lima for a couple of months and no idea when he'd live town, yeah!!! Jim has already met part of the gang, so it was easy to join the group, plus he's so outgoing and fun. After some piscos I checked the clock. It was still early 10:30pm, but we had another activity for the end of the night, so better ask for the bill and start moving. Before leaving I looked for the manager, just to say hi. Now he knows me, haha. Always good having contacts and making relations, haha.

Ok, after our piscos we were ready to sing...

Attendants: 15 happy and fun people :)
USA: Mark (travelman727), Stacey (Xstacey)
Philippines: Rene (RENESO)
Netherlands: Jos (jos-nijenhuis)
Slovakia: Martin (skydiver), Marian (not a TB)
Sweden: Dan (engertdan)
Czech Republic: Pavel (Pavel_Jacko)
UK: James (Tarb)
Puerto Lico: Francisco (frankrn)
Peru: Nelly (nellysweet), Lili (liliana77), Yadi (yadilitta)
Miraflores: Romain (romancito), Jim (JimLNA)

The gang was bigger and there were more who would join us...

For the Lima Meet Up, Lili suggested to rent a box in a karaoke and so we did. It was such a great idea!!! there are quiet a few karaokes in Lima, but this one is small and cozy, perfect for me! It's very well located. Just in front of Miraflores Kennedy Park, so it's easy to find it. It's also open daily. If you are going in a large group, I recommend to rent a box. They have a good selection of drinks and the staff is friendly. The girl was running the whole night delivering our songs to the DJ, hehe. But the most important is the music. There is a wide selection of different songs sorted either by artist or title of the song. You find songs in Spanish, English and even Japanese, hehe. There is also a small dance floor outside the box, but we ended dancing over the tables and couch. If you like to sing while you are in Lima, this place is right for you. La la la...

Around 12:30pm we arrived to the restaurant. Nelly (another local TB) and Stacey (TB from USA) were already there waiting for us. They arrived before us and got a table for 12 people, yeah!!! Since we have been hanging out some hours, we were already friends. Just Stacey was new to everyone besides Nelly, but it wasn't a problem at all.

This place is a cebicheria (fish & seafood) and is well known by the locals. And everyone had already listened about the famous cebiche and wanted to try it, or had already tried it, but wanted to taste it again, haha. Well, no need to say we were the attraction of the restaurant, althoug it was busy, the waiters couldn't stop looking at our big table, haha. Mark and Martin got their dishes just for them, since they wanted something different. The rest decided to share different dishes, so we'd be able to taste more new and tasty things, hehe.

Well, we were in Peru, so we ordered Chicha Morada, which is a soft drink made of purple corn. We got 2 pitchers and extra Inca Kola :) Dan couldn't have survived without Inca Kola, hehe. We got Cebiche, Tiradito, Jalea & Arroz con Mariscos to split. It was very good, even Francisco who is not a fish & seafood lover liked it. We were getting full, well not all of us. Pavel and Marian got an extra dish, haha, but this was an appetizer, haha, they are big boys :)

Our food tends to be a bit spicy, so we ordered them not too spicy. Rene loves spicy, so he was adding extra spice to the dishes, haha. He was acting like a local, great!!! We didn't want to order anything else, until Francisco saw the desserts and decided to have something sweet. Rene did the same. At the end we all tried something from the desserts. Sweet!!! By the way the cameras were flashing the whole time, haha.  Pavel and Marian were ready with their last dish and Marian asked for a Cheesecake, haha. This big boy is so sweet!

After a long and delicious meal it was time to leave. What would we do now? Mmm, I needed to go back home, check some work stuff and get ready for the night and people wanted to rest and chill out. So better meeting at 5 o'clock where we met in the morning. Everyone would be able to have some free time before meeting and keep on going with the party, hehe. 

Attendants: 12 happy people
USA: Mark (travelman727), Stacey (Xstacey)
Philippines: Rene (RENESO)
Netherlands: Jos (jos-nijenhuis)
Slovakia: Martin (skydiver), Marian (not a TB)
Sweden: Dan (engertdan)
Czech Republic: Pavel (Pavel_Jacko)
UK: James (Tarb)
Puerto Lico: Francisco (frankrn)
Peru: Nelly (nellysweet), Yadi (yadilitta)

ufff, the number is getting bigger... yay!

September 2008, a success on my 1st TB meetup in Peru.

During the planning im kinda uneasy how will i merged myself for Spanish speaking countries that im headin to before hittin Lima.
My dialect comes with a lot of Spanish terminologies that helped me understand easily.
My supposed planned was Colombia-Ecuador-Peru-Bolivia,hence short period of time during the travellings because of side trips....i only made it thru Colombia and Peru.
Had some problems in Cartagena wherein i was a cocaine smuggler suspect @#$%&* . Had been interrogated for an hour in a room with all my things scattered for checking (what a scary experience!)
Thus last 10min boarding call made it to escaped from my horrible experience.

Boarding from Panama to Ecuador was another problem as i was stopped again because of my passport validity ...i got 4months....IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST 6MONTHS....whew!!...
Another problem as i will be needing visa if il get out to the airport.
Luckily, the airport staff were generous enough to helped me for a late nite flight to Lima.
And so that goes well....arrived Lima ahead of my supposed schedules...that happens sometime!
Lots of fun and enjoyment for those countries and even have the option to take time to
appreciate time spent and make new life long friend to share memories with.

Yadi helped me a lot on this occassions.As per my vouched for her goes like this:
"You've been our travel angel, our trip facilitator, our saviour in difficult times, our muse, in short: our unbeatable VIP!
Yadi worked her ass off to provide us w/ an unforgettable stay in her beautiful country (best holidays ever!)

an upscale suburb of Lima, is a garden-filled seaside area

 This wonderful meet  ups  started  because I was in touch with  MJ a nice girl from London so we were sending message eacth other and when she arrived to Lima she wrote me so we met at Miraflores church. then we went to a nice bar  and we chatted and drink Pisco Sour and Pisco de Maracuya :) for sure we will meet again MJ when you will back to Lima in a few months you know you are more than welcome to my Home ;) when we were at Barranco we met with one of her partner roon called Marco so we planned to meet again  On Friday but  My friend MJ  called saying she wont be able to meet with us on friday because she was going to Arequipa.

I got a calll from my friend Cinthia if can be able to meet with her friend Harold from Australia around 3 pm at Macdonals  luckly my sister let me went  out  ;)  it was easy to reconize to Harold because Cinthia told me he will be wearing a blue Jacket ;) we said Hello eacth other and we went to walk for the Park and we were waitting to my friend Marco  i got a call from him saying  he was there with others friends :) all together went to Huaca Pucllana a nice place close to Miraflores. they loved to visit this place after it we walked till Love park  till Larco Mar then we sad good bye. Harild and me went to Loki .

Cinthia called me to join with her and her Dutch friend in a coffe shop called ´´Parquetito´´ all together went to a nice place first for drink cold beer and dance ;)  Harold surprised us  we got so cutes Koalas.  Cinthia said to go to a Peña so we went to ´´ De Rompe y Raja´´ it was my first time over there .:) we were there till 1:30 am all together were so tired .I really had a nice meet up with all this guys Thank you for all .

Next day i wake up  arround 8 am and i had to end my sister baby shower balloon decoration . Cinthia  invite us to come to her house of course i accepted her mother is so nice person very friendly she prepared a delicious food for us it was around 5 pm so i had to back home and  Harold , Marcos and Jennifer came with me, they bougth so nice presents to my sister, we arrived to my home , they taste Chica morada and coctails  they back to their hotels after end the show.

This house is just not a typical guest house, because a peruvian girl also lived there. They are really nice and friendly

This is a really smart place. Very comfy rooms (ours was the king jacuzzi suite) which had a huge bed (my feet didn't go off the sides when turned completely horizontal,) kooky decor (big armchair with cowskin colours) and an amazing bathroom. The staff were friendly and not at all in your face and a reasonable breakfast was served. It's about 15 minutes from the main drags of Miraflores and there's some busy roads to cross with some manic Lima drivers so it might not be to everyone's ideal location tastes. Having said that it's on a pretty quiet residential side road away from the bustle. We stayed there for our last night on our 3 month S America trip and it was perfect!

I payed $90 / night to be near Miraflores / tourist district. I'm sure it wasn't the cheapest but it was reliable and I had no issues with safety or security. The bed was comfortable but the bathroom was a little sub standard and the shower was barely more than a trickle yet usable. I will be going back to Lima but I will be looking for a different place to see how they compare. I also don't understand why they charged me another $20 a night to have a friend stay with me, but whatever!