Lima Peru Temple

Temple #99

Lima, Peru

May 19, 2018

     We arrived back in Lima from Cusco early Saturday morning. We enjoyed Cusco and Machu Picchu so much and so we were a little sad to be back in the busy, massive city of 10 million people. 

     We went and picked up my backpack from the hotel and were so grateful for it. It had saved us over $100 leaving it there. We took a colectivo bus to the center where our new hotel was. The bus was packed but fun. Walked to our hotel and checked in. We then walked around downtown and the main square which felt like Europe in a way. It seemed clean, nice and nothing like Peru! But it was a busy place full of too much going on yet the atmosphere was fun. 

     We then got data on Ivy's phone for the day (yes we had been traveling all Central America without data) and got an Uber to the temple. Paying a day for data and using Uber was cheaper than one taxi ride so it was worth it. 

      We then finally made it to the temple! It was bustling and busy with so many members it was incredible! It was on a main street, although there are hundreds of main streets in Lima. It had a cafeteria and temple housing across the parking lot which was also full with people lined up out the door. It's always fun to go to the temples on Saturdays in Central and South America because they are always so busy! People come by the buses to go with their wards or stakes it's great. 

     The temple itself is just like the Chicago, Dallas, Taiwan and Guatemala City temples. It has no windows and six spires on it, the front three representing the Melchizedek Priesthood and the back three representing the Aaronic. It was a beautiful, bright sunny day which was amazing since when we arrived that morning it was completely cloudy. We talked to a member and he said it's very special and unique this time of year for there to be such a sunny day. It's always cloudy in May and June so we were blessed. Our prayers were answered! 

     We went in and did a session. There are so many sessions during the day which was nice compared to other temples we had been to were we only have four options the entire day there are four ordinance rooms in the temple. We were the witness couple for some reason but it was fun because since it was such a small ordinance room, only fits maybe 30 people, the seats were together with no aisle between so we were able to sit next to each other the entire time. But we had to go through the entire thing in Spanish and say things in Spanish which was difficult. 

     The Celestial room was beautiful and it actually has a sealing room inside the it which is unique to only a few temples. 

     After the session we talked to the temple presidents wife. She was happy to see us and, just as everyone else we meet in every country or temple, asked us if we served a mission there or something. And just as everyone else she was surprised and impressed we were there just for the temple and we didn't even speak Spanish. 

     We then went across the parking lot and ate at the temple cafeteria. We love eating at the cafeterias because it always custom food of the locals and is delicious and so cheap. Cost us 10 Soles for both, which was about $3. We got a giant plate of rice and some chicken, cauliflower food that was delicious and then a type of chicken noodle soup. 

     We then took an Uber back to our hotel. Ate some delicious, custard filled, rolled churro thing that was wonderful and very popular downtown. Slept really good and slept in. We then walked out of the center. They were having some type of parade there which was fun to see. We left the tourist filled, busy center and went across the highway to what seemed like true Lima. Everyone stared at us in confusion as we walked through the streets. They were run down, poor and crammed. Nothing like the touristy area of Lima. 

     We eventually made it to the church and went to Sacrament. Everyone was so happy to see us! They all welcomed us even though we knew no Spanish. The ward had three sets of missionaries which is neat. Talked to one brother who knew English. He was kind enough to take us to the airport after so we wouldn't have to take the long, confusing and sketchy buses. We first took a little mototaxi, tut tut, three wheeled motorcycle taxi to his house. He fed us a little breakfast of cereal, yogurt and bread.

     He was so kind and we asked him why. He is our same age, and had been to Utah. People had always been nice to him while he traveled in Brazil and Utah and so he wanted to be nice to us. He saved us a bit of money, stress, confusion and time. His car was at his house so we then left from there and went to a little market first. We got some fruit there and a good meal for later since we had a long flight and overnight layover in Mexico. Such a nice guy and we were so blessed to have met him. 

     We love the members when they are so nice! When members help us and we get to know them that's when we have the best memories! We love it! We love the temples and we love the Church and we love the members!