Lima

We stayed in Lima for a week before traveling to Cusco, and then another several days when we came back from Cusco and Machu Picchu. Lima is a huge city, with over 10 million people, making it just about the size of New York City. I was impressed with the size, the cleanliness of the city (especially after so much time in litter-strewn Venezuela), how busy everyone seems to be, and how welcoming it is. The police on the streets are friendly and helpful, as are most of the people we met on the street in the city center and in the suburbs Miraflores and Callao. I could have stayed in Lima for months, exploring the city's museums and other attractions. Of course there is probably the occasional pick pocket thief, and the city does have bad neighborhoods, but the sense of looking over your shoulder to see who might want to rob you that we have in Puerto La Cruz is nonexistent in Lima.

The presidential palace's changing of the guard on a Saturday at noon is quite an impressive show, with a marching band, decorated horses, and a full processional around the square. We toured the San Franciscan monastery and recommend that tour through the catacombs under the church.

Even just walking around the city is an experience, with new sights around every corner.