Peru

As we continue our journey south, Thursday saw us in Callao and Lima, Peru. Callao is the biggest port in Peru, and Lima her biggest city with roughly 1/3 of the country’s population. Beautiful old Spanish architecture, centered around the 400 year old cathedral containing Pizarro’s remains. That’s Phil in the lower right of the Cathedral facade reading a book. Lima developed a reputation for large wooden balconies, some of which have been preserved, such as this one on the front of the Bishop’s residence. And spectacular tile mosaics depicting everything from Pizarro’s rescue of the country from the heathen gods of the day to everyday life of the nobility and colorful random patterns.

Huge military & police presence in the city, including armored cars, machine guns, water cannons and riot shields, but our guide assured us that was normal (whatever that means). We did see one peaceful protest. No speeches or yelling, just a bunch of people crowded on the steps of a church. They did not have a permit, so were in violation of local ordinances. However, by being on the church steps the police couldn’t touch them. The church did not support them, so had locked their doors to keep them out, but didn’t dare invite the police onto their steps to evict them, either. Thus a Peruvian standoff that seemed to accomplish nothing and offend no one.

Our tour group was invited into the home of Francisco Diez-Canseco, the president of some international humanitarian organization that we forgot the name of. Spectacular old Peruvian country house furnished with antiques from pre-Columbian and Colonial periods, including personal mementos from his family dating back several hundred years.

We’re now southbound off the coast of Peru approaching the tropic of Capricorn on the first day of Summer. We get a daily news briefing of national and world events, so have read with interest of the severe storms sweeping the US. No precipitation here, but we have had temperatures in the low 30's during the day, dipping to the mid 20's at night. So if one can ignore the different temperature units used here (C vs F), we can almost be sympathetic. Of course, to make up for this terrible weather one does have to eat. And that we do!

Our ship normally carries 940 guests and 560 crew. This leg of the journey is only at 50% capacity (by the way, this is a GREAT time to book a cruise, the entire industry is hurting), so we actually have more crew on board that guests. Average daily consumption with a full complement includes:
10 gallons mayonnaise
2,000# fresh fruit
200# salad
2,000# vegetables
150# pasta
500# potatoes
2,500 bread rolls
800 Danish pastries
140 loaves of bread
500# beef
850# poultry
150# veal
380# pork
150# lamb
110# shrimp
350# seafood
400# fish
5# caviar
100 gallons coffee
2,300 eggs
200# butter
90 gallons milk
500# flour
120# sugar
30 gallons cream
The kitchen staff prepares almost everything fresh every day. The majority of the food is stocked at the start of each tour (our trip is actually broken up into three tours), but fresh items such as fruit and fish are purchased at every port, and served fresh or not at all. We’ve been doing our best holding up our end of consumption (and holding up our ends has been getting harder every day). We’re slightly ahead of average on fresh fruit, but woefully behind on poultry. Sorry.

Most of our meals are taken in one of the three dining rooms, with extremely attentive service by one or more of 30 waiters. However, about every third day they set up a buffet either by the pool or in the main lobby. Life would be much less stressful if meals were canceled on buffet days, instead of in addition! Some of our favorites from the latest buffet included the 29 kilogram chunk of Emmentaler Margie tried to wheel to our room, and the butter carving of the company seahorse logo.