Sir, I'm not a tourist.

A few days ago, I was playing tour guide to a young American woman spending a week in Lima. We had spent the morning getting pedicures, eating a Peruvian lunch and our final stop was the Incan Market. This is by far the best place in Lima to find hand crafted goods from all over the country. We spent several hours exploring the booths and finally made our way home.

I hailed a cab and quickly asked the driver to take us to a roundabout that was approximately half way between our two apartments. He quoted me a price of S./5 which seemed reasonable. We hopped in and as we were driving I realized that instead of going to the roundabout, the driver could continue straight and drop off my friend right at her apartment. I became flustered, so my Spanish was a little rocky, but he understood. When she exited the taxi, I asked him to take me to my apartment.

We made small talk on the drive and as we neared my apartment I asked him for the new price, including the ride to my apartment. I've been here long enough to have a good idea about what the price should be. I also know enough about Peruvian taxis to know that I should have settled on the multi-destination price before I got into the taxi, but I'm making slow progress with these things and can't expect too much. He immediately quoted me the price "S./12".

In the next three seconds I simultaneously thought:

"12 soles!"
"He's ripping me off."
"I am not a tourist, I know what the price should be."
"Well, I'm already in and can't fight too much."
"Eh, it's worth a shot..."

I replied very firmly, "10 soles".

He looked into the rearview mirror and gave a small smile, realizing that he couldn't pull a tourist scam on me. "Yes, señorita, 10 soles."

And, success! It's not even about the two soles, which is roughly 60 cents. It's more so about making it known that I am in fact, a Peruvian in training and I won't fall for their tricks.

San Marcos University

My friend Elizabeth has told me that she remembers the first birthday we celebrated together. When I turned 17, she remembers that I rattled off a list of historical dates and famous birthdays that occurred on my birthday. The part she remembers most is that I added on, "AND- The Titanic sank the same week!!" You see, I have this thing about wanting to now what things happened on this day in history. Unfortunately, that quirk still stands five years later.

Everyday I start my morning by catching up on my favorite blogs, sipping some coffee and reading On this Day, my newest app and obsession.

Today in 1551, San Marcos University was founded in Lima, Peru. San Marcos has the unique distinction of being the first university in the Americas, take that Harvard. The university was founded by Royal Decree by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as an institution to train and teach clergymen in the newly conquered region of Lima. San Marcos boasts several famous alumni, including Nobel Prize winning author Mario Vargas Llosa, and is recognized as the most prestigious university in South America.

on Bloglovin'!

I am now on Bloglovin'- follow me!

Peru, Nebraska

This video has become an instant sensation in Peru since its release last week. It is a promotional video sponsored by the new Marca Peru campaign that is seeking to promote a true and modern Peru and boosts Peru's international appeal. The video is full of small tidbits of Peruvian food and culture. My Peruvian friends have said that they have started to cry while watching the video because it makes them so proud to be Peruvian. Enjoy!

Peru: The Brand

Living in Peru » Business : Peru finally has a country brand.