Lima (updated)

We flew into Lima this morning.  It was an early start and somewhat chaotic at Cusco airport.  After arrival at Lima, my suitcase was missing, with only one lonely case the same colour going round and round the carousel.  Yes, you guessed it - someone else had taken mine by mistake.  Fortunately she realised her mistake while still in the airport but could not return to the carousel due to security. After an early and chaotic start, this was not what I needed!  Her case had none of the labels and stuff that mine did.  Oh well - all the adventures come at once! 

We went for a LONG drive through various parts of Lima.  Our guide told us Lima is built on a desert, so we went through dry dusty outskirts to the lawns and luxurious high-rise along the waterfront.   That is dust on the top of the bus.

A painfully late lunch was at Hacienda Mamacona, so we then had a horse show afterwards. We were introduced to the Peruvian Paso horse.  Of course I thought of Mary!  I did not think I would enjoy a horse show, but it was fascinating.

We were told that the particular gait of this horse - where the four hooves touch the ground in sequence rather than two at a time - makes it the smoothest and hence most comfortable horse to ride.  

Then at last, to our hotel.

Away from the infrastructure of Macchu Picchu and Cusco, with its need to cater to international tourists, you can see the poverty in parts of Lima.