Peru is a country full of contrasts:
● The Inca and Spanish History
From the kitchen window of Margaret's flat can
be seen a pre-Inca ruin which is currently in the process of being restored. The ancient temple was only discovered in 1969, previously being a sandy mound where the local boys would run around, playing football. It is now a huge stepped pyramid structure that stands out amongst the crowded city skyline, where the remains of what were human sacrifices, are still being unearthed.
During our tour of the city of Lima last night we were driven alongside many grand palaces which were once homes to the Spanish invaders who tried their utmost to flush out the Inca traditions. These buildings could not have been more different to the temple that we saw today. They are decorated with ornate stonework, and proudly fly the Peruvian flag.
●The Rich and The Poor
Whilst driving past the wealth of the Spanish palaces and exclusive boutiques last night it was impossible not to be aware of the street sellers and beggars. Mothers knelt at the sides of the roads, hunched over their tiny children, whilst older teenagers wandered backwards and forwards down the aisles of traffic trying to sell what ever they could: a windscreen wash, a chocolate bar or even a vuvuzela. Police in tank-like vehicles were
out in force, some even bearing riot shields.
●The New and The Old
In this way, Lima is similar to many other capital cities. I think of George Square in Glasgow which has the Glasgow City Chambers on one side, and ugly office blocks on the other. Lima takes this to extremes, having Palaces, supermarkets, cathedrals and glass sky-scrapers thrown next to each other.
These contrasts have fused to be the city of Lima today.
● The Inca and Spanish History
From the kitchen window of Margaret's flat can
be seen a pre-Inca ruin which is currently in the process of being restored. The ancient temple was only discovered in 1969, previously being a sandy mound where the local boys would run around, playing football. It is now a huge stepped pyramid structure that stands out amongst the crowded city skyline, where the remains of what were human sacrifices, are still being unearthed.During our tour of the city of Lima last night we were driven alongside many grand palaces which were once homes to the Spanish invaders who tried their utmost to flush out the Inca traditions. These buildings could not have been more different to the temple that we saw today. They are decorated with ornate stonework, and proudly fly the Peruvian flag.
●The Rich and The Poor
Whilst driving past the wealth of the Spanish palaces and exclusive boutiques last night it was impossible not to be aware of the street sellers and beggars. Mothers knelt at the sides of the roads, hunched over their tiny children, whilst older teenagers wandered backwards and forwards down the aisles of traffic trying to sell what ever they could: a windscreen wash, a chocolate bar or even a vuvuzela. Police in tank-like vehicles were
out in force, some even bearing riot shields.●The New and The Old
In this way, Lima is similar to many other capital cities. I think of George Square in Glasgow which has the Glasgow City Chambers on one side, and ugly office blocks on the other. Lima takes this to extremes, having Palaces, supermarkets, cathedrals and glass sky-scrapers thrown next to each other.
These contrasts have fused to be the city of Lima today.
Have never been to Lima. You make it sound really cool! Lovely family photo too.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast between rich and poor is hard. We are so sanitised here that we forget the countries where children beg on the streets. I think I would be just a little worried about the tanks ...
ReplyDeleteSo did Tim get his vuvuzala??? Hope your Dad is getting on okay in his Amazon trip. It is amazing how time is going, you will be on the move soon! Hope that Cusco is fab and nice to be all back together.
Thanks for writing Ruth!
Love
Becky (and the rest who are reading too!)