Jan. 2 - Bus ride from Lima to Trujillo

After much discussion of which class of bus seat I was willing to purchase, I opted for the mid-grade reclining seat with snack and lunch for 80 soles ($27) for the nine hour ride along the Pan American Highway. The term "highway" is obviously a relative one, as much of the beginning of the route winds through towns and villages. When we finally come to the straightaway, only miles and miles of dry, dirt hills were visible, as this area of Peru is desert. Interspersed among the clouds of dust are small towns, filled with people performing a variety of jobs - repairing "classic" (read old!) cars, selling produce from makeshift stands, driving taxis assembled from motorcycles and fitted with protective hoods for passengers.

Women spray the dry ground with hoses in order to control the dust. Life appears as hard as the brown earth. Then, approaching Trujillo after nine hours, the scenery changes. Everything appears brighter, cheerier - the sidewalks are paved, architecture becomes interesting - and well maintained. We are greeted by the Botanical Gardens and its colorful array of trees and flowers. The city seems very inviting as we approach the bus terminal, where I will be met by a Bruce Org staffer, Jose. Warm and friendly, Jose makes me feel immediately comfortable with my decision. We taxi to the apartment that I will call home for the next month, which turns out to be comforatable and fitted with the basics. It is in a building a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Trujillo´s main square, with everything I will need within a short walk.