As I've been walking around Lima and doing everyday tasks like grocery shopping, taking money out of the ATM, etc. I cannot help but make constant comparisons to living in Accra. I am now really realizing that living in Ghana, even as expats, has given me a new perspective on day to day experiences and I truly value the ease and availability of things now. We used to joke that Ghana was really 10th world instead of 3rd world and now that we are living in another 3rd world country, it is even more blaringly true that 3rd world countries are not all alike. When I tell Peruvians about our experience living in Ghana it doesn't take long before I've made myself very clear about how these two countries really cannot compare. I'll provide some examples.
1) The pleasure of taking a stroll...In Ghana, Alan and I occasionally dared to take a stroll with Eli in his stroller and usually only early on a Sunday morning. I wrote blogs about it, that's how remarkable the experience of simply taking a walk in Ghana was. First of all, there are no sidewalks to speak of in Accra so you are forced to walk in the road. Secondly, the gutter system is open so you must hop, skip, and jump to avoid falling into trash and other unspeakable debris. Thirdly, you really put your life at the mercy of Ghanaian drivers who would prefer you not get in their way. Oh, and I almost forgot the dusty heat and humidity that really topped off the experience. Without a mode of transportation in Lima, I am on foot most days and not only are their sidewalks but each sidewalk has a lovely little ramp that allows ease of movement to cross the street with a stroller. Almost never do I need to lift the stroller up a curb! Pedestrian friendly is an understatement! Gutters...what are they? And I've already mentioned the timed walk signals so you know exactly how long you have to cross the street. Granted, Lima's drivers could also do without us pesty pedestrians but lately many waved me to pass in front of them...something unheard of in Accra! Granted we do live in one of the most affluent neighborhood in Lima, but then again, we also lived in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Accra.
2) The pleasure of buying exotic ingredients, namely celery and strawberries. Ok, so maybe for Americans these do not constitute exotic ingredients but for us living in Accra they were. And on the rare occasion a supermarket decided to import them, the price was as much as a nice new pair of shoes. But here in Lima, the supermarkets are loaded down with fresh produce mostly all grown locally. So I buy celery and strawberries every time I go grocery shopping just because I can! Ok, I still can't find tahini and that was all over Accra with their big lebanese population but I know it's in this city somewhere.
3) Starbucks...I know, I should be embarrassed to admit that this is a simple pleasure but it is!! I never indulge in Starbucks in the US but I think mostly because we didn't have anything close to a Starbucks in Ghana, somehow the novelty of it attracts me. And there is even a Starbucks with valet parking near our apartment! I was joking with someone the other day that when Accra acquired a Deli France, which most Americans won't know about, but which is a chain of little french bakery/sandwich/coffee shops mostly in Europe I think, we thought Accra was really stepping up in the world. There is a Deli France near our apartment in Lima and it looks like a little nothing of a shop because it is surrounded by TGI Fridays, Pinkberry, and a multiplex movie theater. Meanwhile, anyone who is anyone in Accra goes to Deli France in Accra for their espresso and baguette.
So these are the things I've been taking note of as I can't help but compare 3rd world country to 3rd world country. This is not to say Lima and Peru are all peaches and cream. I am sure it is only a matter of time before I get the full picture but from a quick look, they really can't compare to the 10th world.
1) The pleasure of taking a stroll...In Ghana, Alan and I occasionally dared to take a stroll with Eli in his stroller and usually only early on a Sunday morning. I wrote blogs about it, that's how remarkable the experience of simply taking a walk in Ghana was. First of all, there are no sidewalks to speak of in Accra so you are forced to walk in the road. Secondly, the gutter system is open so you must hop, skip, and jump to avoid falling into trash and other unspeakable debris. Thirdly, you really put your life at the mercy of Ghanaian drivers who would prefer you not get in their way. Oh, and I almost forgot the dusty heat and humidity that really topped off the experience. Without a mode of transportation in Lima, I am on foot most days and not only are their sidewalks but each sidewalk has a lovely little ramp that allows ease of movement to cross the street with a stroller. Almost never do I need to lift the stroller up a curb! Pedestrian friendly is an understatement! Gutters...what are they? And I've already mentioned the timed walk signals so you know exactly how long you have to cross the street. Granted, Lima's drivers could also do without us pesty pedestrians but lately many waved me to pass in front of them...something unheard of in Accra! Granted we do live in one of the most affluent neighborhood in Lima, but then again, we also lived in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Accra.
2) The pleasure of buying exotic ingredients, namely celery and strawberries. Ok, so maybe for Americans these do not constitute exotic ingredients but for us living in Accra they were. And on the rare occasion a supermarket decided to import them, the price was as much as a nice new pair of shoes. But here in Lima, the supermarkets are loaded down with fresh produce mostly all grown locally. So I buy celery and strawberries every time I go grocery shopping just because I can! Ok, I still can't find tahini and that was all over Accra with their big lebanese population but I know it's in this city somewhere.
3) Starbucks...I know, I should be embarrassed to admit that this is a simple pleasure but it is!! I never indulge in Starbucks in the US but I think mostly because we didn't have anything close to a Starbucks in Ghana, somehow the novelty of it attracts me. And there is even a Starbucks with valet parking near our apartment! I was joking with someone the other day that when Accra acquired a Deli France, which most Americans won't know about, but which is a chain of little french bakery/sandwich/coffee shops mostly in Europe I think, we thought Accra was really stepping up in the world. There is a Deli France near our apartment in Lima and it looks like a little nothing of a shop because it is surrounded by TGI Fridays, Pinkberry, and a multiplex movie theater. Meanwhile, anyone who is anyone in Accra goes to Deli France in Accra for their espresso and baguette.
So these are the things I've been taking note of as I can't help but compare 3rd world country to 3rd world country. This is not to say Lima and Peru are all peaches and cream. I am sure it is only a matter of time before I get the full picture but from a quick look, they really can't compare to the 10th world.
Can't wait to visit!
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