I love going to the movie theater and I have an even larger passion for film so it's no surprise that I find myself at the movies at least 2 times a week.  In the States ticket prices seem have gradually climbed to the point where it can become fairly costly, especially for those like me who go quiet frequently.  Here in Lima, Peru the price of admission for a movie varies depending on the location of the movie theater (LarcoMar and Jockey Plaza being the most expensive $$$). 

In Lima, most people prefer to go to the movies on Tuesdays because the ticket prices at most theaters are usually cut in half, which also makes it a BAD day to go and see those popular new releases.  Thankfully I have recently discovered an amazing promotional offer at the cinema that I go to in Jesus Maria (Multicines at Plaza Jesus Maria).  The Multicines in Jesus Maria (inside the Metro) offers what they call a Platinum Members Plaza Card which only costs S/. 2 (thats roughly $ 0.75!!!) for a lifetime membership.  With the card members are given deals not just on movies but on food as well, which is awesome.  From Monday-Friday all movies only cost me S/. 5.50 which is a huge deal considering the original cost is S/. 10.50 per ticket.  The only downside is that the membership is only good for the Multicines in Jesus Maria. 

From what I have heard Cine Planet also offers a membership card that also offers similar deals to Multicines, plus Cine Planet has several locations (Plaza San Miguel, Metro on Av. Venezuela in Breña, Centro Civico in Downtown Lima, etc.). 

So why conform to paying the standard wages when you can pay much less that what is offered!  Below are the websites to some of the Cinemas in Lima, Peru.

MultiCines in Jesus Maria:
http://multicinesplazajesusmaria.com/cine-promociones.php

Cine Planet Theaters:
http://www.cineplanet.com.pe/promociones.php


Cinemark Theaters:
http://www.cinemark-peru.com/promociones.php
From what I have seen they don't have a membership card

As an American from Oregon one thing I have missed a lot since I traveled abroad was horseback riding.  Now granted I'm originally from Portland which makes me a city boy but I have always enjoyed the times that I would travel with my family to Eastern Oregon where we would go horseback riding.  For those who enjoy or are hardcore fans of horseback riding will soon discover living in Lima, Peru that there aren't many options for said activity.

There are two places that I know of in Lima that offer horseback riding one is called Cabalgatas and it is located near Pachacamac just outside of Lima (heading south).  Cabalgatas offers horseback riding on the famed Caballo de Paso or Peruvian Paso Horse, and offers several packages based on how long the trip is and where it goes.  It's a great place for those visiting Peru who would love the opportunity to on some great horseback trips with the extra cash to spare, however it becomes a little too pricey for those living and working in Lima.  That's where the alternative comes into play!  The other location for horseback riding called Los Caballos, is located just a few minutes from Chorrillos and can be found on the Panamericana Sur Hwy. just a few meters from the wildlife reserve Pantanos de Villa.  As you drive past Los Pantanos de Villa you will see a side road that runs parallel to the highway (this is called Av. Prolongación Huaylas), now on weekends you will see the horses just grazing alongside the road.  Parking is available on the street and the horses can be rented for vary reasonable rates.  For a half hour I was charged S/. 15 and for the hour it was S/.25 which is miles away in comparison to the US dollar rates charged at Cabalgatas.  The owners also offer lessons to those new to horseback riding and it is included in the fee!  You are then guided through a trail that leads towards the beach, the trip takes about a half hour roundtrip.  While the view wasn't 100% spectacular the ride was great since you are allowed to ride at your pace or experience which can be fun especially when bringing a horse into a gallop along the beach.  The owners are friendly which is another plus.



For those with a good amount of money to spend Cabalgatas might appeal more to you (though I personally find it a bit too expensive), and for the rest who just want to have fun horseback riding but don't want to spend a lot of money then Los Caballos will suffice. Here is a review of Cabalgatas that was done by Viva Travel Guides which also has directions on how to get there: LINK

Cabalgatas:
Contact Information:
Phone: 51-1-9837-5813 / 9507-8444
Fax: 51-1-221-4591
E-mail: informes(at)remove-this.cabalgatas.com.pe
URL: www.cabalgatas.com.pe

Los Caballos:
Contact Information:
Phone: 51-1-988889662 or 51-1-993283039
Address: Av. Prolongacion Huaylas 21, 600 Alt. Puente Villa - Chorrillos
Open: Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays - Monday-Fridays with previous appointment

About one week ago a close relative of mine passed away from a tragic accident that happened while he was traveling to see his family in Alaska.  Since I am in Peru I was unable to travel abroad to the US for his funeral but my grandmother happened to take the time to put together a wonderful little article which she titled "Celebration of Life". 

I just want to take this time to say to Jim that you will be missed and my hopes and prayers go out to his family!

Today I was checking my mailbox and I happened to get a rather interesting email from the Peruvian Consulate in Seattle, Washington (I guess I gave them my email address of something, not really sure when I would have done that though?).  The email from the Consulate was sent to inform me a special musical concert being given by none other than the famous and popular Peruvian singer, Gian Marco!

According to the email the concert is going to be held at China Harbor in Lake Union-Seattle on the 27th of March (that's THIS SATURDAY).  To make this concert even better the cost of admission is ONLY $35 per person!!!!

While this might be great news for those who are fans of Gian Marco it is unfortunately only GREAT if you live in the upper Northwest Region.  For those who do live in northern Portland or near the Seattle area I highly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.  Details have been included below for those who are interested.

Cost of Admission:  35.00 dólares
Place: China Harbor in Lake Union-Seattle
Date: Saturday, 27th of March. ONE DAY ONLY!!!!!!
Time: Entrance is at 8:30PM
Tickets can be purchased in the following Peruvian stores:

Plaza Latina: 206 533 9440 

La Selva: 253 856 1512

Tickets can also be purchased on-line at peruanosenseattle.com    

Living in Lima, not mention working in Lima can be quite hectic and often times its hard to find a moment to just relax and unwind. Thankfully this weekend I was able to relax and spend some time with my friends.

We all decided to meet up in Downtown Lima near the Plaza de Armas on Saturday and just enjoy the remaining days of summer. We walked around the city and then spent the evening at very popular and famous bar called El Estadio (more on this place later) or "The Stadium" in English. There we enjoyed some cold beers and a warm plate of Tequeños (a personal favorite).

On Sunday, Zdenka and I hit the streets of downtown Lima early in search of breakfast, I was in the mood for Lomo al Jugo. While strolling through the rather empty streets we came across a blind man playing music on his violin for tips. The sound of the music was rather undistiguishable but it had a very uplifting sound. Zdenka approached the man to put some money in his little cup to which the man said nothing, instead concentrating hard on his song. Never letting a good photographic opportunity slip from my hands I managed to take a few photos in black and white since the colors were rather mute at that time of day.

I am always motivated and inspired when I see others surviving in conditions for more adverse than mine. It´s these small moments that make me appreciate life a little more each day.

It wouldn't be a real Saturday without some great animation!  The first clip is hands down my favorite and combines several interesting types of mixed media to create this wonderful little short.  The second film is also a truly breathtaking piece as well.  Enjoy everyone and please comment!

ARK from grzegorz jonkajtys on Vimeo.

Kaj Pindal: King Size from Amir Avni on Vimeo.






Descendants from Goro Fujita on Vimeo.


“And Then There Was Salsa” from Frito Lay Dips on Vimeo.

Perhaps one of Peru's most famous and notable historical figures, Ricardo Palma (1833-1919) was a famous Peruvian author and scholar.  Not only was Ricardo Palma an excellent writer he was also an avid politician who held various political positions within the Peruvian government from Consul to Peru in Pará, Brazil to official in the Ministerio de Guerra (Ministry of War) and the Ministry of the Navy.  Palma even served voluntarily six years in the Peruvian Navy.

When the War of the Pacific (1879-1883) broke out much of Lima had been destroyed and ransacked by the Chilean forces who had taken up occupation within the city (they would hold the city of Lima for a little over 3 years before being forced out), one of the target landmarks was the National Library of Peru.  It was following the war that Ricardo Palma was elected into the position of director of the National Library, a position which he proudly held until his retirement in 1912, just a few years before his death.  As director, Palma using his friendship with the Chilean President Domingo Santa María (this was a relationship that was most likely established during his exile in Chile, following his failed attempt to overthrow president Ramon Castilla), he was able to recuperate approximately 10,000 books that had originally be taken from the Peruvian National Library, among other important artifacts (if only he could have got the Huascáran back!).   His continuous efforts fueled by his passion for the arts allowed Peru's National Library to be restored back to the status as one of South America's largest libraries.

From a young age it was evident that Ricardo Palma had a gift when it came to writing despite his poor attendance record at school.  At age 15 he published his first literary verses and was even made publisher of the daily newsheet El Diablo (the devil).  He would go on to publish more of his work in several other newspapers of his time, as well as craft his famously renowned writing style coined "tradiciones" which has been used and adapted by other famous writers in South America.  From that point it seemed Ricardo Palma was destined to become a great author, and his volume of literary work still holds him in this regard, so famous is he that schools and even a well recognized university have been named after him.  Hell so famous has he become that his own visage has been imprinted on some of Peru's currency!

Now down to business!  I wrote this post because I believe Ricardo Palma's famous Tradiciones Peruanas to be one of the most interesting reads I have ever encountered about Peru's history.  He has a writing style like none other and his tradiciones are often short enough that even an infrequent reader such as myself can get into his stories.  The real treat for you guys is that I have found a website called "Tradiciones Peruanas de Ricardo Palma" that has ALL of his tradiciones available to anyone fortunate enough to stumble across this page.  Now for the bad news kids, the tradiciones on the page are in Spanish so your going to need a good knowledge of the language and possible a spanish thesaurus (that word always sounds like some kind of dinosaur) since his tradiciones were written at the beginning of the 20th century.  Now I realize that with that last bit of information that a large percentage of my readership will be instantly turned away, however there are a few books in publication that have translated the tradiciones of Ricardo Palma into English and can be purchased at any large bookstore or even online, so I would highly encourage those interested in Peru's past to give this books try.

NOTICE:  it should be understood that many of Ricardo Palma's tradiciones are not entirely 100% fact.  His tradiciones were written as a form of entertainment back in his day, you know when people actually read for fun (who does that anymore), therefore it should be noted that not every bit of information in his tradiciones was based on fact.  While many of his stories are based on actual events they are often supplemented with popular lore and rumors of his time which gives his tradiciones that campfire, kindergarten, bedtime story kind of feel to it.  In the end, Palma's tradiciones create this old colonial world that has long faded in time and is well worth the read.

* For those interested here is the link to the page containing the tradiciones in spanish: LINK
* For those interested in purchasing a book translated into English here is a link: LINK

With the increase in Peru's popularity over the years and hordes of travelers from around the world, it is no surprise that a US TV show like No Reservations would come to Peru to film.  It's not just the tourism that is also helping Peru gain world recognition but also it's cuisine, something which American chef Anthony Bourdain has recognized since his trip to Peru.
I have posted today from YouTube the episode of No Reservations where Anthony travels to Peru in order to sample the countries best dishes and to gain an appreciation of the Peru's culture and heritage.  It's an old episode for those familiar with the show but I couldn't help but not show it here.

The episode has "Tony" (as he is often referred as) traveling to several different regions of Peru's topographical geography.  Enjoy!

Thanks to TravelProject for posting the videos on YouTube http://afarperu.blogspot.com

I took this photo last weekend when Zdenka and I went horseback riding along the beach in Villa El Salvador. There was this small road side fruit stand similar to ones I would always see near the Costco in SE Portland.

The vendor was selling mangoes, oranges, watermelon, papaya, and these huge lemons that are fairly sweet if you can believe it. Anyways the neatly organized pile of bright orange, oranges caught my photographic eye which ultimately led to the creation of this gem

Being a huge aficionado of photography I often follow several great photography blogs and websites, my favorites of course are those of travel photographers.  Why do I like reading blogs/websites of travel photographers?  The answer is simple, they are photographers who are fortunate enough to travel abroad to far away lands and experience cultures far from what we are accustomed to in the US.  All their experiences in foreign countries are thus transferred to their photographs which captivate the viewer who has perhaps never had the opportunity (and may never have the ability to travel to such places) to visit and travel to such exotic places.  The second reason I enjoy reading blogs from travel photographers is to read about their exploits as well as the deep analytical and philosophical rants/sermons they often give, which I have often found to be a great source of inspiration for me.

The other day I read an article from a favorite photographer of mine, David Du Chemin (sorry if I spelled your name incorrectly).  This guy dedicates his life to his passions of photography and travel and it is reflected in all the amazing photos he has taken traveling all around the world.  The article that I came across was of an analytical nature that examined the all to common issue that most photographers must ask themselves.  I am of course referring to the identity crisis/professional status that plagues many photographers.  I have experienced it myself, when people would ask me about my photography, look at my photos, and then state that I was a professional photographer, to which I would deny and thus proclaim my status as an amateur photographer.

They question is why do many of us (photographers) undersell ourselves?  It's the lack of self-confidence and over comparison of our work with that of so-called "professionals", that we tend not to recognize our own artistic accomplishments.  I often times fall victim to my own aspirations of someday achieving the coveted professional status, that I fail to appreciate the art I have created.  Photography for me is more than just a fun and exciting hobby it's also an outlet for my artistic creativity and imagination, with a camera in my hands I can create unique images that tell stories of the places I have been and the experiences and emotions I have had.  Photography is definitely a learning experience, one where I am sure to be a life student, I learn from my mistakes and as a result I see my photographs evolve with time.  A great way to evaluate your work is to go back and review your very first photos that you ever took and follow them up to your most recently taken photos, this can be scaled down to an observation and review of the photos you have taken over the span of just one year even.  When I do this I am always amazed at how evident my artistic work has progressed.  I am not really worried about ever being a professional photographer but like many I do enjoy the idea of having my work recognized by others (it's that need of all photographers to want to be noticed for what they create).

Here is a extract from Du Chemin's article found on his page, I highly encourage everyone to read it as it is a great source of self empowerment. 

"A while back I wrote a piece about the “I’m only an amateur” mentality. In brief it was an unashamed rally call to photographers everywhere to stop seeing themselves as merely an enthusiast, not yet in the hallowed halls of the professional, and therefore not “really” a photographer. Rubbish. But this is not that pep talk. This is the reverse, the one that, I hope will remind you that this status to which so many aspire, this notion of a higher echelon occupied by the Professional, is equally rubbish. I am an unabashed champion of the amateur, the one who does this for the love of it, and the idea of professionals being better, or creating better work, has to go. I discourage non-professionals from saying, “I’m just an amateur” but I cringe as much when I hear people throw the term “professional” around as though it means something more than it does."

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At appoximately 10pm on March 7th, 2010 an 8.9 baby girl was born a Portland, Oregon hospital.  I would like to take this opportunity to proudly introduce the newest member to the Mendoza-Raab family, please welcome Paola Vivia Raab Mendoza! 

Unfortunately I wasn't able to travel to the US because of work but I was able to get see a few of photos of my sister's newborn baby.  Here are just a few, and boy is she a cute little baby.

With my boredom levels at a peak and my need to escape the shackles of my computer chair, I headed out on a photographic expedition through the city of Lima.  While walking aimlessly through the main different districts that make up this wonderful cosmopolitan city, I found myself wandering the old rustic and bohemian streets of Barranco.

As the sun slowly set over the Pacific thus bringing an end to my rather uneventful weekend the cries of an unfed and unappreciated stomach yearned for nourishment.  Rising to the call of duty I packed up the Nikon and headed out in search of something new and unique to satisfy the monster within.  Along my walk near the famous Puente de Suspiros I came across a common street vendor who was hard at work cooking up his next batch of sweet caramelized popcorn.  I figured a little snack on my quest for sustenance wouldn't hurt so I ponied up S/. 1.00 for the delicious bag of golden goodness.  Snack in hand I continued towards my goal where I finally reached the municipal square (plaza) located in the most popular and bohemian area of Barranco.  There in the plaza was Barranco's all to popular street fair, where several cooks sell some the countries most prized and recognized dishes to hungry tourists and Peruvians alike.  Seeing this I was tempted to settle in with the crowd but having already eaten here before I continued forward until I came across this quaint little bar with walls stocked full of various liquors, wines, and beers....pure aesthetic heaven....(tear).




Walking in I knew I had reached my destination.  The bar called La Bodega - Bar de Don Juanito, I learned is a famous bar in Lima and for several years has been the melting pot and local watering hole of both Limeños and Barranquinos.


Upon entering the rustic bar I am warmly greeted by Don Cesar, one of the sons of Don Juanito who instantly read my mind when he caught me eyeballing the bountiful display of meat and cheese.  Right away I asked about the two giant legs of pork that glistened in their glowing glass display.  Don Cesar quickly sliced a piece of the infamous Jamón de País (country ham) and handed it to me where I was introduced to its wonderful, light and salty taste which instantly brought back memories of Christmas honey ham.  The next was a smoked pork called Jamón del Norte (northern ham), this meat I was told has been Don Juanito's secret recipe for years.  The smoked flavor of the pork with its strong and robust scent was truly delightful and a real treat for any avid carnivore aficionado.  Unable to decide I ordered two sandwiches or Sánguches of both, each was served on warm french bread rolls (pan frances), with Andean Cheese (extra), and salsa criolla (red onion, rocotó, cilantro, and lime juice).  To accompany my monstrous sánguches I ordered a small ice cold Coca Cola served in its vintage glass bottle, which is something that is difficult to find back in the States.  Together they made the perfect combination!

As I sat there and indulged my inner cravings I watched the people pass through the old plaza of Barranco as the remaining golden rays of sunshine painted the sky of orange, pink, purple, and dark blue, all accompanied by a gentle afternoon breeze.  I was experiencing a tranquility seldom achieved in today's busy world, a true moment of relaxation had been bestowed upon me and for the first time in many weeks all my worries put aside and I was able to enjoy one of life's amazing little moments.  Getting back the bar, while sitting at a wooden table I was surrounded by large wall mounted shelves stocked to their fullest with the finest in adult beverages.  The decor of an aging and preserved historical establishment that has survived the test of time and continues to defy modern progression as it carries out it's tradition.  The bodega (shop) and bar which was established in 1937, started off as a common hardware store which was originally owned and operated by an Italian immigrant was later converted into a bodega and then acquired by Don Juanito (who originally worked there as a waiter) for the price of only S/. 9,000, which in today's market converts to roughly $3,000, give or take.  This historic establishment grew in popularity as it soon became the place for many famous and notable celebrities like La Chabuca Grande, Oscar de Leon, President Alan Garcia, Joaquín Sabina, and many more.  Today it continues to be a popular spot for gathering by Limeños.

What has always seperated Don Juanito from other bars in the city was it's friendly atmosphere.  The bar has long established itself as a place for friends to gather and enjoy a light meal or a round of drinks.  Here any newcomer can feel welcome as they enter the bar and is part of why so many have flocked from all over the city.  Don Juanito is not like other bars in Barranco where people go to get wasted on alcohol, instead it is sought after for it's friendly conversational environment (think what Starbucks has always tried to advertise themselves as).  It's also viewed as a great place to meet a diverse background of locales from all over the city as well as foreigners from all around the world.  During the day the establishment has a calm atmosphere, while at night Don Juanito can be found packed with hungry and thirsty patrons all crammed within the little bars walls.  It's a place where lively conversations and laughter are always available and waiting for those who choose to enter within.


As I bring this article to a close I just want to say that the short time I spent there, along side the wonderful and delicious food was more than enough to make me want to return to relive that initial memory.  I highly recommend La Bodega - Bar de Don Juanito.  The price is highly affordable in comparison with to it's neighboring counterparts, and the service is top notch, with a smile!  That is why I give it a posthumous 5 out of 5!

** Sadly, on January 1st of this year, just 35 minutes after midnight, Don Juanito (97) passed away when he suffered from cardiac arrest.  He is remembered by his sons, who currently run La Bodega - Bar.  

For those interested here is the directions:
Avenida Grau 274, Barranco
Located across from the Plaza de Barranco or Parque Central de Barranco

Anyways, I came across this video which was put together by TV Peru which is a national (government) television channel in Peru.  The video that I managed to discover was one that delved into the world of Lima's nightlife and introduced some of Lima's more famous and historical bars.  I would love to talk more about the video but I think you should just watch it instead.  Again, unfortunately it's in Spanish but I still recommend watching it.

Today I came across this interesting travel article on the National Geographic's blog.  The article was written by author and traveler Andrew Evans, as he sets out on his journey across South America by bus in hopes of reaching his destination of Antartica.  The article that I read was about Evan's two day stay in the urban desert city of Lima, Peru.  Here the reader gets to see Lima through the perspective of a exhausted traveler and his initial impressions of Lima.  Below I have included an extract from the original article along with a link for those interested in reading more...

" In Spanish, the word "Lima" means "under construction." OK, that's not true. Really, I think it derives from the ancient Inca phrase meaning "perpetual traffic." Alright, that's another lie--but honestly, those were my first two impressions of Lima when I arrived.

Maybe it's because I'd been sitting on buses for 30 consecutive hours and was a little bit cranky. After a 621 miles of desert (that's 1000 kilometers down here), I stared out the window at what I hoped would be my own special urban oasis and jumped to some harsh conclusions. I immediately shot out a tweet that Lima was "the brownest city in the world." Everything I could see was brown--the ground (no grass), the buildings (brown brick)--even the overcast rainy season sky was filled with dust and shone a kind of dull brown-grey.

Let me be clear: I am not on a sightseeing trip. Rather, I'm on a "seeing" trip. I am traveling 10,000 miles on an open itinerary with the ultimate goal of Antarctica--I just try to see what I can see along the way. Admittedly, it's been hard to pass up wonders like Machu Pichu or the greater Amazon, yet the real glory of travel is the unexpected things that pop up all along the way. "

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As I promised I have put together a few more photos from this last weekend, when I was traveling all over the city of Lima like a tourist taking photos of the strangest things.  Most of these photos were taken in Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco.  I was too lazy to travel to any of the other districts.

Please let me know what you think!

With the weekdays largely dedicated to work (except with the random class cancellation), the weekends are sacred to me, just like they are to anyone else who works.  Due to the required and necessary dress code of my job I am left with no option but to leave my camera at home to collect dust until I have the opportunity during the weekend to dust it off.  I love photography, it has become something more than just a hobby and just a little less than an obsession.  Everywhere I go I see potential photo opportunities where others might not, I am the strange guy who you see putting his hands together to frame a shot even though I don't have a camera.  Don't ever get me started on a conversation about photography because you might never get me to shut up.  It's no surprise then that when Saturday rolls around I waste no time in setting out into the sprawling urban jungle that is Lima.

This weekend with the family away in the States and the GF away on vacation with her family, I decided to enjoy the endless possibilities that awaited me.  As I mentioned in an earlier article, you run into some interesting people riding on the bus in Lima.  While riding the bus on Saturday heading towards Av. Aramburú in Miraflores, a blind man carrying a larger portable speaker entered the bus, in his shirt pocket he carried a microphone and an mp3 player.  At a glance it was quite obvious what his intentions were as he quickly plugged in his microphone and turned on the speaker that took up almost the entire aisle.  He quickly introduced himself and his economic situation and began to sing a popular Latin song (name escapes me at the moment), and that's when it happened.  The need to photograph this unusual moment was too much and the fear of not capturing it on film (digital of course) was to much to let go.   Fortunately for me the guy was blind (wow does that sound bad or what) so I took my photos as several fellow passengers quickly dug through their pockets for what ever spare change they could donate.  I of course also collaborated towards the man's cause since I understood his difficult position as a handicapped citizen in Peru (if your handicapped and live in the US you should be thanking GOD you don't live in Peru where the handicapped are rarely recognized which is probably why they call them "invalidos" which is Spanish for invalid, Ouch!) and for also taking his photo without any verbal permission.

There is something amazing about seeing a potential photo and mustering up the courage to photograph it.  Often times I feel that the most difficult photos are the one's that we consider to be the most intimidating.  What's worse is that a photographer's fear limits him/her from many great photographs, usually with regrets as conciliation.  

More photos to come...