A day in Lima

Due to one of our flights being non-existent we get to have a look around Lima for the day whilst stopping at the 5-star Sheraton Hotel. One thing is for sure, the food here is unbelievably good. As all meals are paid for by LAN Peru we absolutely gorge ourselves on everything possible. The best buffet I've ever had. I think I was actually making myself ill by eating soo much but I soldiered on. A Peruvian favourite is Ceviche. It's raw fish in lemon and chili, very nice. I thought if I was going to have it then best to get it from somewhere I'm less likely to throw my internal organs out at. We also got a complimentary Pisco Sour, the national drink of Peru. It contains Pisco, lime and beaten raw egg white. This may sound awful but it's actually pretty good.
Lima, however, is not. The Sheraton is in the grey and faded looking downtown area of Lima. We soon realise why there's a free bus from the hotel to the more upmarket Miraflores area, and why everyone who leaves the hotel get's straight into a taxi. From the taxi to the hotel we passed many a crumbling box-like building but walking around is worse. It reminds me of China a bit as people are staring at us again. It feels a bit uneasy to walk about. Unemployment is very high here and it seems people just wander the streets in search of something to do. Almost immediately we see some mentalist shouting and attempting to chew another guy's shoulder. 'Excellent', I thought.
There are some decent looking buildings but it just feels like we're on show walking about here. We find refuge on a set of stairs for a while. A Peruvian lady begins to chat to us and for once it's not some ploy for us to buy something. She tells us how it's a bit unsafe around the center and Miraflores is a much better area. She often sees tourists bags go into the hands of Peruvians on many of the buses too. I really can't be bothered being in another dodgepot town. At least Rio had some beauty about it.
The Sheraton had a swimming pool, sauna, gym, a casino and a shopping arcade. I now see why, you wouldn't want to leave!
Just stuffing my face was enough for the day. We even ate off silver platters for lunch. Aswell as chicken that was served to us on a proper sword!
After spotting more blokes pissing against trees and the cold begin to set in we head back to stuff ourselves and prepare for the late night flight to La Paz.
This may be the capital of Peru but I sure hope it's not the best Peru has to offer or these next few weeks will be grim indeed. Miraflores is supposed to be a much improved area and we'll find that out upon our return. For now things aren't looking great.
I was not looking forward to the next part of the trip much either. La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. The highest capital in the world at 3800 metres above sea level. We land at 3am, this in itself is not something to look forward to, and the altitude is supposed to make you feel pretty awful. Just how awful I didn't know.