Miraflores, Day 1... for Hillary

I think that was the easiest flight ever! My flight from LAX to Panama City was said to be full, but I had a row all to myself :) Good thing I brought my sleeping bag with me on the plane(thanks dad!). I curled up and passed out immediately, next thing I know, the steward is waking me up because we've landed! Panama was hot, but I only had an hour layover.
My friend CC gave me this gnome she traveled with throughout Australia and New Zealand. You'll probably be seeing him a lot :) There he is at Panama City Airport... By the way CC, what's his name ??

So, next thing I knew I had to get back onto the plane. I also slept through that flight. Getting through customs and immigration was simple, grabbed my bag and Andrew was waiting for me :) What a sight for sore eyes! We caught a cab to Miraflores, (which was about 30 mins from the airport) dropped our things at the hostel and went looking for dinner! After walking for what seemed like forever (everything was closed; yesterday just happened to be a holiday, similar to our Labor Day) we found Chifa Hing Loy, which is Chinese but they do serve some Peruvian food.
We got ALL of this for 16 soles, which is about $5.50!! The chicken was alright, but the pescado de frito (fried fish) was amazing!
Later I went and saw where Andrew had been staying the last month, and then made our way to get some pisco sours, which is grape brandy, lime juice, sugar, ice and egg white, blended. They're good but a little too sweet to have more than one or two. Midnight we finally hit the sack.

Andrew worked this morning around 7am, meaning he had to leave around 530am to catch the bus-- yes, it takes him that long to get there! He enjoys getting out of Miraflores though. It really is a big city and pretty dang dirty! The fumes from the exhaust are pretty gross... Today, we walked around the cliffs and parks, which have some pretty funky art, it's great. Then stumbled upon a great meal-- my first real Peruvian meal :) Andrew was right about the food, muy rico!! (very delicious)


Andrew knows his way around and has picked up on the language so quickly! His Spanish amazes me!! He has been my translator all day. He says that soon he'll make me do the communicating so I can get to where he is. He's at work right now and will be back around 10pm. I went and got some groceries for some dinner, simple veggie sandwiches. Fresh bread, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce and bottled water for 14 soles.. so, about $3 total!

All in all, I think today only confirmed that this trip is going to be more than either of us asked for. We can't wait to experience this wonderful country together! Here's where we're staying the next couple nights, pretty nice...

Goodnight, we'll write soon :)