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Sept. 2nd
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Early rising, very early… three in the morning. Cleared the sleep from my eyes. It’s too bad we aren’t able to enjoy our hotel room more, especially the bed where we can play some hide and seek…
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<!–[endif]–> Morning traffic was light to the airport, and check in lines practically non-existent, though there was still plenty of hustle and bustle, even at this early hour. We checked our luggage at the Lan Peru counter for the 6:35 A.M. flight to Trujillo and now had to wait. Despite the craziness of yesterday’s travel and the early wake up, Olga and I weren’t the least bit tired; the best thing, though, was this flight was really short: 65 minutes, and then it was off to the legend.
The flight was smooth all the way to Trujillo. There, we were met by Yolanda, our guide, and Juan, our driver. They will go with us everywhere.
<!–[if gte vml 1]> <![endif]–><!–[if !vml]–><!–[endif]–>But first, they took us to the Libertador Hote
l in town. Smack dab on the Main Square. What a location! And what a building: a beautiful Spanish Colonial mansion transformed into a charming hotel. We took a quick look around and realized right away it follows the traditional layout of these types of mansions, with its rooms, restaurants, and sitting room all facing an interior patio filled with meticulously pruned flowering plants and shrubs as well as the swimming pool. Smiling faces greet you around every corner as staff members are more than willing to lend a hand. Can’t beat service like that.
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We took a short rest and then right off to visit some Pre-Incan ruins. We went to see two landmarks from the Moche culture: the pyramids of the sun and of the moon. Yolanda told us these people lived in this area from 200 B.C. to 600 A.D. I was awed at the size of the stones they used to build the first pyramid. Both Olga and I are reminded of Egyptian pyramids although we have never been there. Just seen them on T.V. or in a magazine.
Down a path to the foot of the Cerro Blanco (a small hill), we reached the Pyramid of the Moon. There’s an archeological dig still in progress, and they let us take a glimpse inside.
The Mochicas had an interesting method for building these pyramids. You see, their rulers would command their builders to construct a platform. While they ruled, the builders built. Once the new dynasty took over, they would cover the last ruler’s level with adobe and begin building their own monument overtop of the existing one. Archeologists have found seven levels in this pyramid, and the inner and outer walls of each are decorated beautifully with moldings and ceremonial motifs and painted in vibrant reds and ochre.
At the end of our visit, our stomachs were rumbling, so off we drove to a local restaurant called Chelsey. Mmmm. The food was delicious. We ordered some local dishes like cabrito con arroz y friloles, baked goat with rice and beans, pato con arroz verde, baked duck in a spiced rice, papa a la huacaina, boiled potatoes covered in a spicy cheese sauce, and rocoto rellleno, a beef stuffed spicy chili pepper. We weren’t sure how we were going to be able to get up from the table because it was all so filling.
That afternoon, the plan was to go to a dance school to learn how to dance the Marinera. Maybe we can work off the weight we just put on! Yolanda told us it is Trujillo’s pride and signature dance, a very sensual display whose beginning has been traced back to the time of the Conquistadors and their African slaves. We first watched as several couples took to the floor to show off their skill and their elegant outfits. It is a true mating dance as the men try to woo the women and the women flirt coyly with their partners.
The first exciting day is now over, and it’s time for a well deserved rest…first dinner, and then to bed.
