Command Zed

My new surroundings here in Lima, Peru challenge me daily - language barriers, nasty pollution, terrible vino peruana and limitations on where I can go in the city by myself. No matter how strong, independent or fearless one may be, it absolutely does make a difference when you are a tall, white female that speaks very little Spanish in a city that is quite rough around the edges with little to no English skills. In some places I stick out like a sore thumb, but because I know to expect this I am quite cautious about where I will go and how I will get there. No cabs for me, and no I won’t be crossing into that barrio to the east. I consider myself a smart, seasoned traveler and not to worry - I’m doing just fine. As challenging as it is, I’m enjoying my time here immensely.

This afternoon while I was in Spanish class, the walls and table started to shake. “Temblor de Tierra” my teacher said to me and she grabbed the wall and looked at me like we were in big trouble, and then mentioned something about this never happening in winter, usually only in summer months - i didnt know the time of year made a difference. During that full minute of the rumbling peruvian earth, it occurred to me that Lima is most certainly not the city I want to experience a big quake in (of course I want no big quake ever, but…). I’m alone in Lima, I barely speak Spanish, the buildings are already falling over in many parts of the city and I don’t know where the safe areas are, nor do I have any kind of resources to rely on. I became pretty frightened at that moment.

Alas, the shaking stopped. My teacher continued the lesson and everyone went about their day like nothing had happened. I had a delicious lunch in Miraflores, then walked to what might be the only Starbucks in the city.