Hello friends!
I am very happy to share with all of you our experience in the latest Peruvian meetup that we organized in Lima on Saturday, February 8.
I mentioned weeks ago that we were planning to pay a visit to a beautiful place, the Historic Center of Lima. It is a must for all tourists when they visit Lima because here are the most emblematic and important churches, convents, museums in all of Peru. Likewise, and as many of you already know, it is full of history and traditions. I would like to tag a couple of Connect friends that I believe would enjoy reading this post: @ErmesT @AlejandraMaria @FaridTDF @LuigiZ @uavalentine @Jesi @AlexandreCampbell @SebaasC
This is our Google Photo Album: Photo Album: Centro Histórico de Lima, Local Guides Peru
We meet at 3:00 pm in the pool of the Plaza de Armas of Lima. The day was great, sunny 
, clear sky and a lot of movement of local and foreign tourists. Very nice to see so many happy faces taking pictures of everything, it made us proud of what we can offer the world. Gradually the group grew, the minutes passed but we were already chatting, laughing, giving recommendations of which smartphone to buy and the pixels and resolution, and the angles of photography. I felt that I was in the right place and with the right people without a doubt. When people ask me why I like being a Local Guide, it is precisely for that reason, for friendship, to find people with similar hobbies such as technology, photography, typically more emotional and sensitive to our surroundings. Those are my people 
We started the photographic tour in the same main square, perhaps the most emblematic place in all of Lima. The fountain is located in the center of the square, so it has several fronts, on the one hand, the Cathedral of Lima y and the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima, on the other the Municipal Palace of Lima (where the main headquarters of the Town Hall of Lima), the Union Club and on the other the Government Palace, residence of the president of the republic, Martin Vizcarra and center of the executive power of Peru.
Main Square
Also called Plaza Mayor de Lima. It is undoubtedly the main public space in the country. Receive thousands of tourists every day, especially on weekends or at noon, when the changing of the guard of the Government Palace takes place. The construction of the square and the pool date from the 16th and 17th centuries.
*
*As I mentioned before, the square is surrounded by emblematic places, such as the house of the hearer and the Peruvian square. Also, other traditional food places, such as the “chinito” where they sell one of the best pork sandwiches or the pizzeria “Pizza Palace”.
Horse riding can be requested. It is a very beautiful and economical experience. (5 soles per person, US $ 1.5). To really be in this place is a very beautiful experience, the surroundings are beautiful, the constructions, the tradition, it is almost like going back in time for a few minutes. Generally, it is families with small children who take these rides, having a great time!
The Archbishop’s Palace of Lima
The Archbishop’s Palace of Lima is the residence of the archbishop of Lima and the administrative headquarters of the Archdiocese of Lima. W have to remember that Peruvians are fervent Catholics. It is located in the Plaza Mayor of the historic center of Lima.The facade of the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima is of neocolonial architectural style, features characteristic elements of the Baroque. On the main door, there are two large balconies, neo-Baroque style, carved in cedarwood and Spaniard influence. The entrance is allowed for tourists, which can be guided if you want to. The entrance fee is 15 soles (US5). The mission was commissioned to the best photographer of the group, our friend Cesar Pariona @AlukardGT , who was able to take excellent photos of all possible angles, including 360 photos, all already on Google Maps and in the Meetup photo album.
The design and construction were done by the French architect Claude Antoine Sahut Laurent and the Polish architect Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski.
Our next stop was the Cathedral of Lima, it was like 4 pm and we were kind in a hurry because The cathedral staff was allowing entry to the last visitors since they do not attend at night. We made it!
Cathedral of Lima
Also called Basilica Cathedral of Lima. What can you say about this wonderful place. It is literally a work of art and the main church of Peru. The facade of the cathedral is in the Renaissance style, its neoclassical towers with clear influences from northern Europe. Here a group of the meetup entered, while another group took photos in the tatters and main avenues. The cost of admission is reasonable, 10 soles (equivalent to US 3 dollars per person) and children pay 3 soles (US 1 dollar). You can take pictures and record videos. In its interior diverse styles stand out, Gothic, Renaissance to Baroque. Also, visitors are allowed access to the famous catacombs, where the remains of famous religious people are mainly preserved.
What can I tell you about this incredible experience? It is not often to visit a place with such beauty and culture. The facilities are in perfect condition and maintenance, the guides are experts and with extensive historical knowledge, who are accompanying you through each of the rooms of the cathedral, each of them with diverse relics, such as the one that can be seen in the photos attached. The use of wood is easily noticed in many spaces within the enclosure, such as the benches and monuments of saints and historical figures of religion in Peru.
Technical stop
After visiting the San Francisco museum church and taking lots of pictures we go to the next point: Churros San Francisco.
A little history of churros
The churros are of Spanish origin and it was a Spanish citizen, Don Ramon Falco, who arrived in Lima decades ago with the Spanish recipe, to which he adapted a couple of Peruvian ingredients. In its beginnings, it sold Spanish sweets but quickly the customers chose to buy the churros massively. They became known as “the Spaniards.” In 2001 Don Ramon dies and the business is run by his wife, who 9 years later decides to close it. However, workers of Don Ramon, who knew the recipe, decided to continue the legacy of the sale of churros, creating the business “Churros San Francisco” due to the proximity of the premises to the San Francisco Church.
They are known in Lima for being the best. They have more than 50 years in the market and their popularity has not diminished at all. Long lines are formed at any time of the day and if you ask someone why the answer is simple: they are the best. They are filled with manjarblanco (white delicacy) or custard, at the client’s choice. They are noticeably larger than average and comfortable (2 soles per churro, equivalent to US $ 60 cents per unit).
Gran Hotel Bolivar
The next and last stop of the meetup was at the Gran Hotel Bolivar, located about 6 blocks from the Historic Center of Lima, in front of a very important place, San Martin Square. The Hotel Bolívar was part of a series of works that, on the occasion of the commemoration of the battle of Ayacucho, were trying to modernize the city. The Battle of Ayacucho is one of the most important historical events in the history of our country. The architecture of the building is of Spanish baroque style. The interiors are very well maintained, really impressive. Among the things, we liked the most was the multi-colored ceiling of the lobby. Also, the passageways, stairs, and play of lights. Also, inside the hotel, there is a classic car of the 20s approximately, in perfect conditions.
We were able to upload a couple of short videos on Youtube:
Well my friends, we really hope you enjoyed reading this post and learning a little bit more about Peru, and Lima. It was an amazing experience, and we are thinking about our next meetup, hopefully soon.
Best wishes,
Marco… from Perú!
Se ve tan imponente!!
.