Lima
Simply, Lovely Lima. A week of being invisible in a big city, with cats.
September 9, 18:25
Arrived in Lima! It's my first time in a big city since Quito, or Cuenca if you count it. The journey from Huarmey took about 7 hours and I had the worst and last available seat, next to the toilet, which was kinda shitty. Get it. Shitty. Toilet.
Anyway, that’s a summary of today. I am excited to be in Lima though. It’s nice to be in a city again where you can sort of blend in and be yourself without people noticing you. It’s kind of like wearing the invisible cloak from Harry Potter. You feel like you can do anything cause people don’t see you anyway. No one is paying attention to you. It’s like a superpower and I love it!
Roads at the coast in Lima, Peru.
September 10, 08:17
Today it’s Mikes 2nd anniversary of being on the road. For me it’s 210 days, the longest I have been away from home, ever. I am not homesick (yet) and am still excited about new places, but I am starting to miss a routine and a sense of home to come back to after a day of exploring. So after my final 2,5 weeks in Peru, 2,5 weeks in Bolivia with my parents, 1,5 weeks of solo travel, and 4 weeks in Argentina with my cousin, I need to create a home base somewhere. That’s still 2,5 months from now, so I have time to figure out where I want that to be. But I do feel like that would be a good idea.
Oh, and I bought a water bottle.
September 11, 13:41
Yeah, baby! I texted a hairdresser nearby the apartment and I can come by today for a haircut. This is so very much necessary. I have been looking at the dead ends for MONTHS, so finally the time has come where I set my laziness aside and made an appointment. It’s a small win. But it’s a win.
September 12, 15:03
A CAT PARK! THERE IS A CAT PARK IN FRONT OF OUR APARTMENT. I counted 20 cats and I am sure there are more. Oh my god. What a life. The city has placed cat food and water all around the park. It’s to ensure fewer stray cats are suffering. And all the cats love pets and come sit on top of you. This is just the best!!
September 13, 16:28
On our last day in Lima, we decided to be good tourists and go to a museum. Or two! A textile museum and an art museum. Just for fun. With a coffee break in between AND a movie afterward. In less than an hour Oppenheimer will start, in English! We tried to find a movie theatre before, but they only play movies with a Spanish voice-over. So super excited to be chilling in a dark room, eating popcorn, and watching a movie. It’s like a reward for going to the museums.
September 14, 15:20
I’m on the bus on the way to Ica! I am listening to a podcast about writing a novel. It’s one of those things I would like to do once (or more) in my life. I am probably romanticizing the whole thing, cause I envision myself in a wooden cabin somewhere in the mountains with a lot of green around me. And if I keep walking south for half an hour I will reach a cliff overlooking the ocean. Slightly to the right, there is a little pathway down towards a beach with the finest white sand I have ever seen. After taking a walk to clear my head and let inspiration come to me, I go back to my little but comfortable house. I make myself a cup of tea or coffee, depending on my mood, light the fireplace, and get in my cozy writing corner. There I am surrounded by a dozen sheets of paper with quickly written notes and a laptop to organize everything. Candles lit and I ticking away, writing a masterpiece.
Like I said, romanticizing.
September 15, 14:17
Just got off the phone with my parents. I always feel better after I have spoken to them. Sometimes I didn’t even realize I needed that, until after I put the phone down. I am super excited that they are coming to Bolivia and that we are going to travel together. Only two more weeks!
Now, still smiling from the call, I am staring at my little notebook, trying to think about what to write. This came, and if you would like to read more of my writing, visit the poetry page.
staring into the blank
pages silently waiting
waiting for something
ideally something bold
something never told
i feel pressure
beaming up from down
try to think
clearly but surprisingly
different this time
just draw the first line
