Hm, where to start, where to start? Let's start with Pizarro.
When was Lima founded?
Formally, on January 18, 1535 Francisco Pizarro founded the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru on the banks of the Rimac river. Before Lima was selected, it was between it, and a city named Juaja in the Andes. But Pizarro determined that Juaja was too difficult to get to as Lima has easy access to the ports on the Pacific.
Formally, on January 18, 1535 Francisco Pizarro founded the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru on the banks of the Rimac river. Before Lima was selected, it was between it, and a city named Juaja in the Andes. But Pizarro determined that Juaja was too difficult to get to as Lima has easy access to the ports on the Pacific.
What was Lima's original name?
Pizarro re-named Lima, La Cuidad de los Reyes, or the City of Kings. But soon it returned to its previous name. The name Lima is said to have risen from one of two sources: from Aymara, lima-limaq meaning yellow flower. Or two, from the Quechua rimaq, the name of the river. You see, like the Japanese, in Quechua 'r' and 'l' are interchangeable. So really rimaq, would have sounded like Limac. And from there, getting to Lima is pretty straight forward.
Pizarro re-named Lima, La Cuidad de los Reyes, or the City of Kings. But soon it returned to its previous name. The name Lima is said to have risen from one of two sources: from Aymara, lima-limaq meaning yellow flower. Or two, from the Quechua rimaq, the name of the river. You see, like the Japanese, in Quechua 'r' and 'l' are interchangeable. So really rimaq, would have sounded like Limac. And from there, getting to Lima is pretty straight forward.
If I were to give Lima a name, what would it be?
The city of traffic! I have never seen so much grid lock, from 7am-10pm there is traffic anywhere and everywhere. And the transit system is a mystery all in itself. And that particular topic deserves a blog post all to its self.
Where in Peru is Lima located?
Lima spans along the coast of central Peru. The center of Lima is not located on the coast, it is located on the Rimac river (as previously mentioned). When Pizarro established Lima, he also established the "Callao" which was the main port in South America at the time.
It mostly desert, and basically has two seasons- winter and summer. Winter (mid-April to mid-November) is 15C overcast, extremely humid and generally pretty depressing (weather-wise). Summer (late-November to April) on the other hand is 25C, less humid, and pure sun. Although, one should not mistake pure sun with blue skies. Oh no, Lima for the most part is very polluted so a clear day will have blue-grey skies.
What is historic Lima known for?
Its Balconies. If you were to drive around the city you will see a lot of the old building have these balconies. Recently, the city has tried to have companies "adopt" them and renovate them.
In my opinion, what is Lima really known for?
Its food.
Limenos (people from Lima) truly have a liking for food. In particular they like super, sweet, super satly, and super spicy. Indulgence is most definetly a sin one will repeat time, and time again here. So far my favourites are Lomo Saltado- sliced and sauteed steak with red onion, tomato, and peppers served on a bed of steak cut fries and white rice, Alfajores- two biscuits (similar to short bread) with manjar blanco in between, Anticuchos- cow heart kebabs and picarones- what I will refer to as the Peruvian Donut since it is a fried batter in the shape of a ring served with a syrup.
Delicious.
And here are a few more random snap shots of some Lima-ness! The old post office (the pink building), the remains of older buildings in the center of lima, and finally in the Lima central market- where you can pretty find anything your heart may desire.
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