1 week later....

When I was younger we used to travel to southern Europe and Canary Islands with my family, the normal Finnish way to enjoy the winter holidays instead of skiing.. And the memories that have most been stuck to my brain from these holidays is the smell of the beach and warm sea wind on a dark night, with all the street restaurants filled with laugher and music.. It was so strange, enchanting and scary, all the cockroaches crawling out of their hiding places and grass hoppers playing in a chord. When in Finland the sun hardly goes down at any moment during the summer nights, it always feels a really exotic seeing the sunset after 6pm and to notice the city getting busier and noisier at the same time.. Lets say that´s one of myfavorite >>odd>> things in Lima.

I have to say that I had totally forgotten the sounds of this city crowded with almost 9 million inhabitants. The honk is probably the most used instrument of communication, and they have different honks for various situations. The one which enjoys the females favor is of course the one which makes the whistle voice.. I have to say I’m a lucky to be brunette. And I can´t help but wonder how many car thefts have the burglar alarms really been able to avoid. Bueno, these are all just a little details of the Lima I’m enjoying.

The summer is at its best right now and I feel a bit bad to be forced to spend the days inside the well air-conditioned office. In Lima the humidity is above 90 % round the year, which makes the +27 days quite sweaty. But at the same time the summer is the only period in Lima when it´s possible to enjoy the sunshine. Starting from April until November the city is surrounded by the garua fog which comes from the sea, which makes the feeling that one´s living in a bubble. And well.. I suppose the pollution isn´t exactly reducing this effect..

It has been quite easy to settle down here once again. When I last time was here from August to January, I now have the opportunity to make my year in Lima complete. And thanks to La Casa de Panchita I know Lima quite well, because I had the opportunity to participate in various projects that took place in the suburb schools. After that the jump to the Finnish embassy in San Isidro´s business quarter is quite big. And just to tell something about my new job; i´m still excited, but I´ll share you more about it when I´m settled down better :).

And briefly about my first week in Lima.. So, I’m now living here in Miraflores in my old apartment with two Finnish girls, I have spend most of my spare time meeting my old and younger Peruvian friends, had a little bit of a fiesta on the weekend, plus I achieved my goal and got some pisco and cheviche in an expensive restaurant. And on Sunday I went to La Casa de Panchita and realized after I while that it might be difficult not to go there on Sundays :). By the way, they were convinced that I
have been crowing taller during this year. jajajaa..


i haven't really taken any photos yet, so this one is only to proof that i'm really here ;) 2 * martin + saija

Everyone has been asking me if I have noticed any changes in here, but I guess I need a little bit more time to think about that.. but I have been informed of a quite big change in the Peruvian lifestyle: Cumbia is now a big thing!