Last minute shopping, I passed more great street art. These flank the entrance to a parking lot:
Walking around the Miraflores neighborhood, I am constantly reminded of changing times. Large single family homes dating between 1920-1960 are being replaced by 6-10 story apartment buildings. Often an old house has a sign out front that says “Approved for 8 stories” below the “for sale.”
Houses like the one at left show the European influence in architecture of that earlier period as well. Newer structures are all built in contemporary concrete/cement and fashion tends toward sleek, eurostyle shapes and furnishings.
Lima’s population reflects some of that earlier era, as well. There are clearly delineated social strata in Peru–most visible in Lima–where European background provides social advantage. The society pages in the main newspaper “El Comercio” show faces that you could see in Miami, FL or Miami, OH. It is faintly disturbing to fail to see anyone who looks like the vast majority of the Peruvian people. No one talks about indigenous, or native, or local ancestry. No one mentions relatives that come from the highlands or the “country” unless a hacienda is mentioned, or unless they are close enough friends that class is understood.
Llywindatravels 2022 