Besides exploring around Lima, our most frequent weekend activity is venturing out to the nearby beach towns! Definitely always my favorite part of the week :) Living in a big city is not exactly my cup of tea so being able to escape the noise, buildings, and busy-ness of Lima and relax near the ocean is so refreshing. Most weekends a group of us will meet up near UPC, stuff ourselves into a taxi (usually costing $5 US dollars per person) and zoom down the PanAmerica highway to the beaches around 45 minutes away. Our favorite destinations have been San Bartolo and Playa Blanca in Punta Hermosa. While both equally fun, the beaches both have a life and energy of their own.
San Bartolo is a little smaller and the beach and water is filled with rocks. We discovered this our first trip there after a few members of the group came hobbling out of the water with stubbed toes. San Bartolo also has an abundance of these precious little creatures called urchins.. aka black and spiny little balls of pain. Luckily the water is calm and clear so you are able to see where they are on the rocks, but if you are not careful one of their spines can easily get lodged into your feetsies. Luckily, Kenz and I found some Crocs for the cheap price of $10, so now we look extra stylish and are prepared to walk over any rocks or urchins that cross our paths. Also, Elise's host-parents have a beach house there and we have been lucky enough to stay a weekend with them there. Time and time again I have been so grateful for the kindess of the people here and their willingness to accept us into their homes and treat us as their own.
Punta Hermosa is another ocean town that has captured our hearts. Our favorite beach there is Playa Blanca, named for it's white sandy beaches. There are no rocks to be found and when the sand isn't burning-hot it feels so soft-- perfect for afternoon beach snoozes :) The best part about this beach is the waves! I feel like such a child running into the surf and getting tossed all around by the powerful water but it is just so much fun! During our week long Spring Break in February, I was able to spend four days being a beach bum here. Some friends from UPC had a beach house here and a few friends and I were able to stay with them. In those four days I read an entire book, drank way too many cremoladas (frozen fruit slushies), swam for hours in the salty sea, found a favorite sandwich place (that we may or may not have eaten at every single day), and got some amazing tan lines (don't worry mom I am still applying that SPF 50 ;) ). I have loved so many aspects of my South American life but having access to the ocean on a weekly basis has definitely made me the happiest. I always return home with my clothes full of sand, my hair full of salt, and my heart full and satisfied.
San Bartolo is a little smaller and the beach and water is filled with rocks. We discovered this our first trip there after a few members of the group came hobbling out of the water with stubbed toes. San Bartolo also has an abundance of these precious little creatures called urchins.. aka black and spiny little balls of pain. Luckily the water is calm and clear so you are able to see where they are on the rocks, but if you are not careful one of their spines can easily get lodged into your feetsies. Luckily, Kenz and I found some Crocs for the cheap price of $10, so now we look extra stylish and are prepared to walk over any rocks or urchins that cross our paths. Also, Elise's host-parents have a beach house there and we have been lucky enough to stay a weekend with them there. Time and time again I have been so grateful for the kindess of the people here and their willingness to accept us into their homes and treat us as their own.
Punta Hermosa is another ocean town that has captured our hearts. Our favorite beach there is Playa Blanca, named for it's white sandy beaches. There are no rocks to be found and when the sand isn't burning-hot it feels so soft-- perfect for afternoon beach snoozes :) The best part about this beach is the waves! I feel like such a child running into the surf and getting tossed all around by the powerful water but it is just so much fun! During our week long Spring Break in February, I was able to spend four days being a beach bum here. Some friends from UPC had a beach house here and a few friends and I were able to stay with them. In those four days I read an entire book, drank way too many cremoladas (frozen fruit slushies), swam for hours in the salty sea, found a favorite sandwich place (that we may or may not have eaten at every single day), and got some amazing tan lines (don't worry mom I am still applying that SPF 50 ;) ). I have loved so many aspects of my South American life but having access to the ocean on a weekly basis has definitely made me the happiest. I always return home with my clothes full of sand, my hair full of salt, and my heart full and satisfied.