Lima airport was bustling with people when we landed around 1 am. We had decided not to check our backpacks so it was a smooth exit. Outside there were hoards of taxi drivers, hotel pick-ups waiting for the passengers. We had booked a prepaid ride with Hostel Malka (where we were planning to stay). The ride would cost us 20$ but decided it was worth it, late at night when we were tired and unsure of the safety in the surrounding areas.
The hostel pick up was prompt and we set out on our 20 minute journey to the hostel. Unfortunately the driver didn’t speak much English. The whiff of air was similar to Bombay and the city was sleeping. We checked in. prepaid for the 1st night (the rate was pretty good- 7 soles for 1 dollar) so we paid in dollars. Our room was small, and the bed seemed smaller than what we were used to in the US. The air was humid and hot. What a change from the Boston weather! We were exhausted and called it a night. Next morning were able to better appreciate the room and the hostel. It was neatly laid out with a small table, and a cupboard. The room overlooked the garden downstairs and had an adjoining shared patio. There were shared bathrooms. There were several people staying in the hostel- mostly young kids from Europe. The hostel had a large kitchen which was well equipped however did not have a matchstick ( note to self, buy one). There was a fridge, microwave and a lot of pots and pans.
The girl at the desk had changed from last night, and found a friendly and helpful person on the other end. We needed to go to Banco Continental and Bolivian embassy that day. Got some local maps from her, as well as the neared Banco Continental address. Hostel was in a nice residential neighborhood and walking a couple of blocks we were in the middle of the bank district. We were able to locate the bank fairly easily and waited for help. At the counter only 1 person spoke broken English and I showed him the written instructions from US consulate, regarding what was needed. They were helpful and we got the bank draft easily.
From there we realized we were famished so decided to look for something to eat. On the map we knew where the supermarket was and decided that would be our best bet. Usually food courts have more veggie options than restaurants or cafes. The super market seemed upscale and on the back was a large buffet spread. 7.99 pesos a pound. Checked out the selection and found tons of options for vegetarian. H was sold on their dessert selection. We picked up all that looked tempting and oddly in the checkout line we were the only ones who had carried food that weighed at 2 pounds. We were fairly embarrassed but devoured on our first Peruvian meal.
Headed to the Bolivian embassy from there by bus- it was farther away from our hostel. Seemed like most embassies were in that area. Unfortunately it was closed.
We needed yellow fever vaccination for the trip to Pantanal, Brazil and according to the hostel it was possible to get it at the general hospital 40$ per person. The hospital was on the other end of town and again managed to take a bus there. That area seemed poorer and was bustling with people. At the hospital we were immediately helped and the doctor knew some English. He was intrigued when we told him we were from India. The vaccination was quickly completed and expected symptoms were headache and mild fever within a week.
It was late afternoon and we were exhausted. Decided to head back to hostel and make dinner. We discovered another supermarket around the corner from the banks street which was slightly cheaper, and bigger with more variety of products. Completely freaked out in the fresh vegetable section. Tons of variety in produce, lot of different kinds of dried chillies. They also had bulk holders of different types of lentils, grains and pasta. Bought Quinoa, potatoes (had to, we were in Peru- place where potatoes were first grown and it boasted 2000 varieties of these), carrots,tomatoes,chillies and rice. Also stocked up on the basics like butter, eggs, milk, salt. Hit upon the fresh jams and jellies section later where they had a huge selection sold by the pound. We bought some Anjeer jam and Peruvian cheese.
As always, we realized we had bought more than we needed but returned to the hostel satisfied with our purchase.
Quinoa soup/dal, rice and salad meal turned out to be great. Not really sure if locals used these ingredients for a similar preparation, but enjoyed the Indianized version of it. Hostel staff had changed for the evening. I went to check with the lady if she could tell me how the grain is used, but did not get much help.
There was dining set up outside, need the lounge and table tennis area overlooking the garden.
A Dutch guy, older than the rest of the inhabitants of the hostel, was hanging around in the area. We started chatting and realized he had spent a lot of time in India. He was in the business of making tents and had outsourced the work to an entrepreneur in Jaipur who made it using Indian textiles. The clientele was in Holland and used the tents for outdoor events and weddings. How global and interesting!
Pointers:
- youthhostelmalka is a great option to stay in Lima
- Check out grocery stores for food- works great for vegetarians
- Yellow Fever Vaccination easily available in Lima
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