Acclimatisation

Humidity, car horns and confusion - Lima was just as i remembered it! Now having queued for an entire lifetime at immigration and having eventually made it through unscathed, i was reunited with the real reason i had come to Peru. Struggling to contain my excitement in front of Mum and step Dad, i quickly gained control of myself and changed my mood from a 14 year old teenager to 'first impressions' are always important. A few bad jokes and a bumpy car journey later and we arrived at what was to be my new home for the next few months.

Upon entering the house i was confronted by a little old Lady named 'Maricucha', who didn't waste anytime in looking me up and down before giving me the nod and the all clear to greet her. At a modest five foot tall, her presence and demeanour certainly outweighed her size and even though she had been the maid for the family for nothing less than 65 years, i felt strangely like i should be the one serving her!

No rest for the wicked. In my case this is certainly true, as once my bags had touched the floor, i was whisked into Bill's (Pam's step Dad) new Volkswagen Beetle and we headed for the coast. With my hair flapping furiously and my knuckles now white from gripping the front door handle Bill leans over and proudly informs me he used to do a spot of rally driving when he was a young lad - no shit i thought! On we go ducking, diving and dodging the potholes taxis and buses and finally screech to a halt on the sea front. With legs like jelly and a newly developed nervous laugh, i tried to convince myself that 'I am fine', as we walked down the jetty to what appeared to my trained eye - a bar, thank god!

*

Prior to my departure for Peru, i had attempted to book dinner at a restaurant in my broken Spanish as a surprise for Pam. I chose a typical Peruvian one in the heart of Lima's restaurant and bar district and was eagerly awaiting ceviche and some flavoured Pisco's. Upon our arrival i was glad to learn that my Spanish had indeed been understood and we were shown to our table. A small pig, some ceviche and something that will remain a mystery later, and i was ready for some well earned sleep.

Finally, my head hits a very makeshift pillow, but at this point i was beyond caring. I was in bed and that was all that mattered. Just as i was drifting off into some bizarre dream about being chased by the five foot maid, began what sounded like a jumbo jet taking off. I immediately sat bolt upright through no choice of my own but through sheer panic and took a few seconds to adjust to what on earth was going on. I had forgotten that it was Saturday and that obviously meant party time for the neighbouring house. The music can only be described as soul destroying. I envisaged the band that produced this music to be a peculiar group of traveling Peruvian midgets that once belonged in a circus and had stolen a variety of objects from there to make some noise on before they left, bloody brilliant!

*

Bleary eyed, but this time from lack of sleep (the circus didn't finish performing until 8am) i crawled downstairs and headed into the kitchen looking for some water. My state of slumber was then unexpectedly catapulted towards near tears, as none other than Maricucha suddenly appeared from behind a small box in the corner of the room, resulting in my heart beat quadrupling momentarily and my head meeting the corner of a nearby cupboard. Now with watery eyes and a difficulty on focusing on the creature in front of me, i was interrogated in lightening fast Spanish as to what i was doing in the kitchen. The kitchen i quickly learnt isn't a place for men and i am instructed to sit down at the table and wait for my breakfast, which i do accordingly.

All this commotion had stirred the rest of the house and rather like boarding school, we all assume our positions at the table and wait for breakfast to be served. I have the fortune of sitting next to the kitchen jack in the box, who proceeds to correct my every movement when attempting to eat my breakfast and in doing so finds me uncontrollably amusing - for what reason i am not entirely sure, but at least she seems happy so i laugh too.

The rest of the day takes a turn towards normality, which is most welcomed and appreciated on my behalf. An introduction to the surrounding amenities, an ice cream and a good chat with with mum and Bill, its all very relaxed and civilised. Once home we lunch, take a siesta and then plan what the evening can offer us, as well as the next few days. I am beginning to become accustomed to this lifestyle.