Saturday was a fantastic day, truly an experience of Lima. A group of us started the day by attending mass at the Cathedral. The priest was possibly the oldest priest I have ever seen, let alone ever seen serve mass. He needed help to even stand. Of course, there was the language barrier, but for the most part we were able to follow along. The mass is the mass in any language. We loved it. We then walked around the cathedral and its adjoining museum in the archbishop's house. It contained religious paintings and Catholic artifacts from just about every age. The Cathedral was personally planned by Francisco Pizarro, and he is buried there.
After mass, we went to Santo Domingo, a church and the very first mission center established here in Peru (and possibly the Americas). The Dominicans came to the Americas with Pizarro to evangelize and convert the Peruvians. This church was very beautiful as well. It contained the skull of St. Rosa, the first saint ever canonized from the Americas, and St. Martin de Porres. It also contained relics from Peru's third saint, St. Juan something. Then, we got to go into the friory and catacombs area. We saw St. Rosa's and St. Martin's tombs. We also got to see the fountain where St. Martin performed his first miracle. St. Rosa could heal people, and apparently she kept mosquitos away while she prayed (still can't completely wrap my mind around this). She is the patron saint of all the Americas and particularly Peru. St. Martin turned water into brown sugar, and he levitated while he prayed. Since he was black, he was not allowed to be a Dominican at first. He swept the floors of the friory and became the friars' barber. Thus, he is the patron saint of hairstylists and barbers, and he is usually depicted with a broom. Eventually because of his miracles he was allowed to become part of the society. Sadly, he was not canonized until 1962. Our guide told us Peruvian Catholics had to fight for a long time for his canonization due to his race.
After that tour, we saw the changing of the guard at the presidential palace. I have been to Buckingham several times, and let me tell you - the Peruvians have the English beat hands down. The "show" was about an hour long and involves a military detail and a band. The detail march, change formations (choreographed), throw and spin rifles, chant, etc. It was so cool.
After lunch, we walked to Plaza San Martin and then on to the Art Museum. The entire downtown area is so decorated for the independence day festivities. Every municipal building flies a Peruvian flag anyway, but every building in Lima (at least it seems this way) flies a flag as well. Red and white everywhere! It was a gorgeous day - high 60's - and of course, I got sunburned in the winter here!
After dinner, 10 of us went to the fountain light park in the Miraflores district. It was absolutely amazing! The park contains 4 "traditional" fountains, one of which is shaped like a pyramid mind you, and then 13 amazing "magical" fountains that are individually synchronized to their own music and lights. I believe this park beat the Bellagio 100 times over. A couple fountains were designed for you to walk through/in. We came out with wet shoes and pants, but it was so much fun.
Then, we went to a Peruvian dance show. It was a special show this weekend due to the independence day. It showcased dances from all around Peru, including the "devil dance." In between dances while the dancers changed costumes, the floor was open to the crowd. So, of course Corey and I led our group onto the floor. It was so much fun! It was the best night I've had here so far.
On a side note, based upon hanging out late on Friday night (we even went to a club), my Spanish apparently improves in direct proportion to the amount of alcohol I consume. Among the group that I was with on Friday night, the people of Lima kept turning to me to translate what everyone was saying. What the heck?!! Hmm.... who knew?
After mass, we went to Santo Domingo, a church and the very first mission center established here in Peru (and possibly the Americas). The Dominicans came to the Americas with Pizarro to evangelize and convert the Peruvians. This church was very beautiful as well. It contained the skull of St. Rosa, the first saint ever canonized from the Americas, and St. Martin de Porres. It also contained relics from Peru's third saint, St. Juan something. Then, we got to go into the friory and catacombs area. We saw St. Rosa's and St. Martin's tombs. We also got to see the fountain where St. Martin performed his first miracle. St. Rosa could heal people, and apparently she kept mosquitos away while she prayed (still can't completely wrap my mind around this). She is the patron saint of all the Americas and particularly Peru. St. Martin turned water into brown sugar, and he levitated while he prayed. Since he was black, he was not allowed to be a Dominican at first. He swept the floors of the friory and became the friars' barber. Thus, he is the patron saint of hairstylists and barbers, and he is usually depicted with a broom. Eventually because of his miracles he was allowed to become part of the society. Sadly, he was not canonized until 1962. Our guide told us Peruvian Catholics had to fight for a long time for his canonization due to his race.
After that tour, we saw the changing of the guard at the presidential palace. I have been to Buckingham several times, and let me tell you - the Peruvians have the English beat hands down. The "show" was about an hour long and involves a military detail and a band. The detail march, change formations (choreographed), throw and spin rifles, chant, etc. It was so cool.
After lunch, we walked to Plaza San Martin and then on to the Art Museum. The entire downtown area is so decorated for the independence day festivities. Every municipal building flies a Peruvian flag anyway, but every building in Lima (at least it seems this way) flies a flag as well. Red and white everywhere! It was a gorgeous day - high 60's - and of course, I got sunburned in the winter here!
After dinner, 10 of us went to the fountain light park in the Miraflores district. It was absolutely amazing! The park contains 4 "traditional" fountains, one of which is shaped like a pyramid mind you, and then 13 amazing "magical" fountains that are individually synchronized to their own music and lights. I believe this park beat the Bellagio 100 times over. A couple fountains were designed for you to walk through/in. We came out with wet shoes and pants, but it was so much fun.
Then, we went to a Peruvian dance show. It was a special show this weekend due to the independence day. It showcased dances from all around Peru, including the "devil dance." In between dances while the dancers changed costumes, the floor was open to the crowd. So, of course Corey and I led our group onto the floor. It was so much fun! It was the best night I've had here so far.
On a side note, based upon hanging out late on Friday night (we even went to a club), my Spanish apparently improves in direct proportion to the amount of alcohol I consume. Among the group that I was with on Friday night, the people of Lima kept turning to me to translate what everyone was saying. What the heck?!! Hmm.... who knew?
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