One theory expressed was that they had all been purchased surplus from the US at $1.00 each.
Nancy and her mom found a cab and the driver gave them a city tour.
Several times he parked the cab and walked with them, an excellent guide.
Her mom was concerned with all the police and military personnel and equipment they saw.
It happened that we were there just before a meeting with heads of state from most of the countries in the Americas.
They were getting ready to provide security for it.
The signs on this building attracted our attention.
They are on the headquarters of the CGTP, the largest trade union federation in Peru.
My Spanish is very limited but it is clear that the CGTP wasn't happy with either Peru's president, Alan Garcia, or ours, George W. Bush.
With the help of some automatic translation services I found on the web I took a stab at trying to understand what they said.
From that it appears that the big sign accuses Garcia of breaking promises and other charges I don't understand even when I see the English.
The smaller one charges that Bush is guilty of crimes against humanity, war crimes and a war of aggression.
They made stops at churches, cathedrals, government buildings, shops, parks, and just interesting buildings they saw.
Quite a sculpture don't you think.
Changing of the guard at the Presidential palace.
Shops
A view along the coast.
We saw lots of kids.
While Nancy and her mom were touring the city Ester, Michael and I visited two museums and had lunch at a place that had been recommended to them.
Lots of pottery with designs that cover quite a range.
From animal figures, some nearly cartoon characters, abstract shapes and many more.
Spinning, weaving and fabric crafts were on display.
The dolls seemed to depict a woman who was sick and either family members or healers with her.
The close-up is part of a wall size weaving completely covered with intricate designs.
And gold, in a below ground vault.
But probably the most impressive to me was the many storage rooms filled with artifacts.
Floor to ceiling shelves filled with thousands of pre Colombian ceramic objects that had been found.
Their state of preservation was truly remarkable.
