Lima, Peru: First Impressions (June 6, 2026)
Lima, Peru, is both the capital of Peru and the largest city. In many ways its like most major cities in the world. Great food, walkable, and incredible night life. On my first day here, I had two incredible meals, starting with osobuco tacos!
Osobuco tacos! Two of my favorite dishes combined into one!
Let me back up. When I arrived at the Cusco airport, I was about 2 hours early for my (domestic) flight to Lima and LATAM airlines asked me if I wanted to be on the earlier flight. Yes, please! So I landed in Lima at the time I was originally scheduled to take off. How cool is that?
Unfortunately, my hotel didn’t have my room ready, so I was on my own for a few hours while they held my luggage. No matter, I was able to have my first taste of Lima … delicious! I also got my hair cut at a local barber and discovered there was an English speaking AA meeting I could attend.
One day at a time poem from my Lima AA meeting. Awesome!
The leader of this meeting offered to give me a ride back to my hotel and mentioned that he grew up in Bolivia (one of the few South American countries I wanted to visit, but ran out of time to do so). He also suggested a great restaurant to enjoy a Japanese dinner.
Peruvian influenced sushi. Yum! What a wonderful suggestion!
On my way to drop off my laundry, I discovered a local park where locals were trading FIFA cards (like baseball cards, but for football — which we call it soccer in the US).
So many people here buying, selling and trading FIFA player cards
I particularly enjoyed the large sculptures and artwork strategically placed throughout this park. Colorful, Peruvian and well-lit for the evening festivities. What a great place to meet up to collect, trade and sell FIFA cards together.
Giant Peruvian artwork in the middle of the park for an evening stroll.
Next up is the cathedral at the end of the park square. I’m not sure if this is Lima’s main cathedral, but it was prominently displayed, well lit up and there were many fellow tourists checking it out tonight.
Parroquia La Virgen Milagrosa, in Miraflores district of Lima, Peru
Beautiful. While I wasn’t specifically seeking out this cathedral, I’m so glad it was open and I was able to explore it before it closed. I seemed to have landed there right as they were closing up for the night. Perhaps I just missed an evening service.
Like most cathedrals, it’s awe-inspiring. There’s a deep sense of reverence when entering this space. The tall ceilings and intricate artwork are designed to provide spaciousness and reflection as you enter and connect deeply with your spirituality. It was wonderful to enter and explore (however briefly).
What a beautiful place to complete my first day of exploration.
Miraflores is where I’m staying while visiting Peru. More tomorrow.
