Afternoon in Lima or why to have small change

A walk back to the hotel and a chance to try out the local Peruvian beer. That means Dan, Tim, and Blanca. Patti and I go straight to the Diet Coke or in the case of Peru something more similar to Coke Zero. Don our resident non drinker going straight for the water. Gelatos and Beer for lunch is a balanced diet for lunch after all we did have breakfast.

So it is now about 3pm and back in the private car to explore the market. Peruvian sellers are hard core. The market is humongous a lot of alpaca that Dan is careful to avoid least he will turn bright pink.  Another of his allergies.  This was a scouting mission for us.  We wanted to check prices and see what the hot ticket items were.  The upside of this market in the central court there is a guy with a type of coffee cart set up but not selling coffee but making mixed drinks with the local alcohol Pisco (more about that tomorrow).  This makes the shopping trip much more enjoyable. I think the vendors should be paying him to keep the shoppers happy. As you will see in the photos. Blanca was sure she had already been to Machu Picchu. (I will try and add them to this post)

Now why have small change?  The Petersen travel motto is never pass up a free bathroom.   This is especially important in any foreign country. So we are in the market taking a short break from the Best prices “just for you real silver jewelry and a shawl you must have made from baby alpacas or alpaca and wool or silk or a sweater or what about alpaca slippers ”.  So in the little square is the Bano.  Great of course it is not a free bano.  The cost is 1/2 a sole   The sole is the unit of currency in Peru.  The exchange rate is roughly 30cents equals one sole. So 1/2 a sole is pretty reasonable until you look in you wallet and find 10 sole is the smallest denomination of currency you have. Both Dan and I need to use the facilities.  So I look in my wallet and do have a $1 bill.  All we can do is ask if we can do a 2 for one and will they accept the dollar.  The answer. “Heck yes”.  The Peruvians are not stupid.  The made 70 cents on the deal.   So the new travel motto is always have small change.    Of course I didn’t think to ask them to make  change.   See below views from hotel at night in Lima and Blanca at Macchu Picchu