Lima Meetup - Barranco

I was one of the last to arrive to the meetup.  After an extremely rough flight, I landed very dizzy and not feeling so great. I sent Yadi an SMS in the afternoon and told her I'd meet the group where-ever after I had a rest. So of course Yadi told me to meet the group in front of the church on the Barranco Main Square. I made a mistake in asking the hotel which way was the main square. Haha I forgot I was staying in Miraflores. Yadi was very nice though and figured out the mistake (I was in the Miraflores Main Square) and soon I was stepping out of a taxi in front of the correct church. A wedding was just coming out so, I decided it was a perfect cultural moment to catch on my camera. Right as I took the picture I heard Yadi's voice and I turned around just in time to catch a big hug and her smiling face. Francisco was the second TB I met as he had joined Yadi to pick my up in front of the church. So the three of us walked a few blocks to Posada de Angel where the rest of the group was waiting already with their Piscos.

Wow, it was amazing to walk in and recognize so many of the faces. Totally cool. I knew so many people even though I missed the pre-meetup! Also great there were new people that I didn't know. I knew this was going to be a great weekend, everyone was great and friendly and I quickly made friends. Lili and I exchanged laughs from our crazy messages back and forth prior to the meetup. Yadi was very busy, but she came and gave me a mini Alpaca in recognition of my nickname. Jajajaja, thanks my friend. Next she gifted a Chullos (from Romain, Jenny and Yadi) to everyone and then the camera flashes were poppin everywhere. And before the gifting was over Yadi received a hostess gift that someone arranged to be signed by everyone and Malvin walked away with the distance award (wow Singapore). Of course I got my Peruvian initiation with my first Pisco Sour. It was great!!

Sadly when we left Posada a few people had to leave for the airport so we said goodbyes on the sidewalk and headed for Pena La Candelaria a typical Peruvian show, that eventually became not that Peruvian as the TB group got involved. We had 31 TB's at our table (even though 5 had left for the airport). It was a huge meetup! Shawn seemed to enjoy the stage and spent the most time up there dancing, celebrating his b-day and celebrating being American! Francisco enjoyed the Salsa dancing very much. Nelly and I almost got knocked off the stage by the surging crowd. Cinthia took a picture with me but only from the "good" side, then she introduced me to Marcel.  Romain, Marcel and I shocked the MC with our size ("what do you guys eat?").  Yadi and I talked and talked, and Jim entertained everyone in the place when he explained to the MC about being Miraflorian. Jenny and I chatted for a while and then I was sitting between Iveth and Michael and laugh about her "blue" eyes. The show was great, the MC very funny and lots of audience participation. I was surprised by how long it ran (about 10:30pm to 3:30am).

On the way back to Miraflores, Yadi decided we should stop by Tayta and the decision was made that if open we'd stop for one Pisco sour. Amazing it was open and someone sweet-talked the doorman to let us in even so late. The highlight of the short time in there was all the Madonna tracks the DJ played and I was laughing so much when everyone went crazy for her music. That was so funny!! It was a great place, but I sat on a stool and my back was killing me!!!! Hahaha not whining! Jos and Rene walked with me toward my hotel, until I realized I was going the wrong direction.

Thanks Yadi for organizing an awesome meetup!!!!!