Here's a photo of the little walking path just North of the cathedral by Parque Kennedy. As you can see, this is where the artists come to display their paintings. It's also where you can jump on board the Mirabus.
Years ago I would have never gone on that. Just walking by and seeing it there would have filled me with revulsion. I was in Peru before the Mirabus even existed, and I could get around and see Miraflores just fine without it.
Also, when it went past, I always used to look at the tourists sitting up in it and laugh. There is always a person or two wearing a bright white "tourist" hat with a khaki vest and a pale blue short sleeve shirt. Seriously, is that something they sell at the airport. A $5000 camera hangs around this person's neck, and they'll gleefully take pictures as they go through poverty stricken areas, and then go back home to show those pictures to their church group as they try to figure out ways to raise $6 bucks for the poor so they can feel good about themselves.
Man...the world is full of phonies as Holden Caulfield said.
But these days I'm a bit more accepting of such things. I don't know if I can attribute it to maturity. I don't know if it's because I'm a "better" person now. I just don't really care anymore. I don't have the energy to fight all the stupid hypocrites.
These days I'm as likely to jump on the tour bus, and although I'm not wearing a khaki vest, and I'm not carrying a $5000 camera, I'm well dressed and my camera is expensive enough to provide an education for one or two of the poor people I snap shots of as I drive along in the bus of privilege. I guess the main difference is that I don't go thumping any religious texts at people anyway in an attempt to cover up my shortcomings.
I'm more or less at peace with my shortcomings, and I'm not above helping people out when I get the chance.
Meh, the Mirabus guy needs to get paid too. Good for him for starting up a functioning business. Don't feel bad about dropping your Nuevo Soles there instead of in an upturned hat at the foot of a beggar.
If you would like a larger file of the above image for a print or use in a publication, just send $10 to my paypal account at stsoflima@gmail.com, and mention the title and date of the post where the image appeared. Be sure to include an email I can contact you with for questions.
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