Second day in Lima

I've extended my stay again to checkout on Thursday now - so much to see and do. The walking tour of the central city was wonderful - 20 soles (a donation as it's a free tour) for three hours. Beautiful Spanish colonial architecture, wonderful gardens and fountains, hundred of tourists. The changing of the guard was an absolute spectacle - in front of the Presidential palace that reminded me of Buckingham Palace. I want to go back tomorrow to see it again - the military band played wonderful music during the ceremony which the guards marched to. Admittedly the music was an eclectic mix - Star Wars, Rocky and some more conservative scores, but it was good. The tour guide took us (6 of us) on the high speed bus service I referred to in my previous blog - Auckland needs to look at a similar system! The buses move thousands of commuters through the city on a system as efficient as any subway system for only 2.5 soles per trip (about NZD1.00). Buses arrive at the "stations" every few minutes. Tomorrow I plan to do another walking tour of the Bohemian sector in the afternoon - a suburb close to Miraflores, where I'm staying. The city has a population of around 10 million divided into 43 sectors, Miraflores being just one. The central city Catholic cathedral is magnificent - the artwork inside quite stunning. Some wealthy benefactors were obviously very keen to get into heaven! There's a big soccer match on here tomorrow - Peru v. Scotland - world cup qualifier. So there's a lot of kilted tourists in the city! Sport brings huge returns to the hosting cities. I'll watch it on TV at the hostel.
I had some laundry to do this afternoon - typically, the prices vary depending on your ethnicity - 50 soles for about 2 kilos (they weigh it) at one place and only 10 soles at another on the same street. They do a good job - washed, dried, pressed. folded and returned in a nice packet. 10 soles is dear enough, I was only paying 5.5 soles in Cusco.
I bought some fake cheese slices and fake ham in a big supermarket not far from here this afternoon to put into the bread rolls I'd saved from breakfast - last night the pizza punished me all night, even after the antacid tablets. I have Granola of my own for breakfast here but save the bread rolls, fruit and anything else they serve for breakfast for a later snack. I hate waste. They don't mind giving me a bowl for my Granola.  Not much else to post today - may be more tomorrow. Ciao.