3-6-13 Japanese Cultural Center, Lima. We (and about 400 others) have three hours of terrific jazz at the Jazz Jaus (Jazz House). A whole group of young but professional musicians rotating on and off the stage and performing jazz standards.

Clubbing it at Club Rustica with Ricardo and Jenny. We have come to see Lucia de la Cruz, one of the most popular singers in Peru right now. She starts at midnight but Pisco Sours get us in the mood.

What the rest of the world has and you don’t want: humidity and noise. Peru runs to a loud and fast-paced Samba beat. 20 cars waiting for a light to change but that doesn’t stop them all honking their horns, many have wired their car alarms to their horn buttons in order to get attention- that leaves an ambulance with a problem.

3/7/13 Lima to airport the taxi driver unscrews the “Taxi” sign from the top of his car. He is interrogated by the airport police and we are sitting in the back with our knees together clutching our passports and back-packs trying to look like members of his family

3-7-13 Thursday. Areoquipa. 90 minute flight from Lima. Casa deVila, room 117. Katie and Sarah stayed here last year and it’s very good. $38/night. Our 5-day Spanish class doesn’t start until Monday but I now know some Spanish. Estoy infermo; mal de altero/soroche. We are at 2km/8kft and have been OK at that height before, perhaps it’s a little food poisoning as well. Higher still up to Calca Canyon tomorrow for two days of hiking….