The 1900 Hostel, in central Lima. The beautiful old mansion housed several businesses on the street level, our hostel on the second floor, and multiple families living in very small spaces behind the central courtyard. 
Papas huancaina: boiled potatoes with a very tasty cheese/pepper sauce. It was very slightly spicy, a dish we saw everywhere.
Ceviche. Served everywhere, always with slivers or red onion, a tasty sweet potato (no, not like any sweet potato I've ever tasted), and huge, boiled corn kernals. I had cevich many times during the 5 weeks, and it was always delicious!
The poor Madre Patricia, the symbolic mother of Peru, with the llama on her head. According to Lonly Planet, she was commissioned in Spain with instructions to put a crown of flames on her head. Unfortunately, the word for flames is llama. San Martin is the liberator of Peru, the namesake of the plaza. It is a pretty plaza, particularly at night, when all the grand, white buildings surrounding it are lighted, including the stately Gran Hotel Bolivar. We looked inside, but surely could not afford to stay there!
In the HUGE park surrounding the modern art museum, which was directly across the street from our hostel, we discovered Michael Jackson alive and well, and performing for awe-struck fans. He has learned so speak spanish in the past few years, too. He, and the crowd, was fun to watch, and the exhibit at the art museum was interesting and well done.
After we tore ourselves away from Michael, we walked a few more blocks to the Park of Illuminated Fountains. It is so over-the-top, even jaded, cool people were pointing and laughing. We arrived at the park just before dark, and watched as the magic changed with the lights. Some fountains were elegant, some were whimsical, and many were interactive, including this one. The labrinth had everyone's attention: the water jetted from the walkways, creating labrinth-like paths. At random, the water jets changed position, creating new paths and catching people by surprise. The tunnel of love fountain was another popular place. We spent several hours here, had a late supper of ceviche and Cusquena beers on the way back to the hostel.
Stuart, in front of one of the few casonas, old mansions, that are still standing. Truly grand old house, many of which have been destroyed over the years by the frequent earthquakes. The elaborate Moorish-style carvings above Stuart were to protect the rich women from being seen, while they watched the happenings on the street.
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