Knockers & Knobs

In our Cuenca blog (2011), we posted some of the beautiful pictures of balconies and doors that are seen as you walk along the streets of Cuenca.  Neither Arequipa nor Miraflores (in Lima) have balconies; you have to go to Cusco to see the really beautiful ones in Peru.  And the doors, while nice, don't seem to have quite the stature of the ones in Ecuador.  

But the door knob and knockers are fabulous, both in variety and style.  So this, our final blog posting for our trip to Peru, will show you some of the great door knobs and door knockers, mainly from Arequipa, but a few from other places too. 

Enjoy --

Firstly, we have a grouping of humble and old door knobs and knockers:

What are those things that look like nipples?  They appear on many of the thick, wooden doors, and Harold discovered that they actually are covers for bolts and more commonly spikes (huge nails that are bent on the far side when they come through the wood) that connect the wooden sheets that make up the several layers of the door. 

Secondly, we have a brief "grouping" of one photo of a new and humble knob (face it, these new ones are boring).

Thirdly, we have some fancy, old, creative knobs and knockers.

It seems odd to knock on a door with a flower,
but I guess if it's a bronze flower, it will work.  Notice that the "nipples" here are slightly different than the ones up above.  

This knocker must have a sore chin.

an especially creative knocker -- was this owner a fisherperson? 

How about a soldier for a knocker?

I'm not sure about this one -- but I guess it would work.

The female touch is a good one, I guess, and these "nipples"
are creative and scary looking. 

Lastly, we have some fancy, fancy, fancy large knobs and knockers.    

Okay, so this one isn't that fancy, but it was unique because
the knocker was placed on a huge round brass piece.

Many of the knockers had ferocious faces, some people, some animals. 
Maybe they were trying to scare away the evil spirits --
or perhaps people with cameras.

Not sure why the mouth is open.  Maybe he is roaring at the person attempting to get in.

Looking at this knocker gives me a sore jaw.

Some of these really fancy knockers were way up high on huge wooden doors.  Harold and Julie argued about why they were so high.  Harold thought perhaps they were placed high so that men on horseback didn't have to bend over to knock on the door.  Julie thinks they were too high for that.  Maybe they aren't even knockers (they sure look like it though); maybe they are just meant to scare away the spirits or to ask for heavenly protection for those that dwell within. 

These angels would perhaps provide heavenly protection, but if I were forced into a position like they are in, we wouldn't feel so kindly toward the owner. 

This one seems to be suggesting that food is within -- at least some corn.

This one would fit in the "scary" category- at least the top part.

Rarely do you see a female on the knockers (outside of the hands for the small knockers), but this one clearly portrays a female.  an angel? 

 We hope you have enoyed this brief tour of the knobs and knockers of Peru.  We also hope you have enjoyed our entire blog.  See you next year -- somewhere.

Miraflores: A walk on the beach and above the beach

The beach and the parks associated with the Miraflores district of Lima are very impressive.  If you are wondering why the words "on" and "above" were used in the title, see the first three pictures below.

When we first saw these cliffs, we marveled that they have not crumbled.  But it never rains here, and they have been here for a long time.  All greenery that is seen is watered by work crews.

There are multiple ways to descend down to the beach.  If you don't drive, you walk (often carrying a surfboard).  Many, many people walk. 

Once you are at the bottom, you are hit with a piece of reality.  The beach is on the Pacific Ocean, and earth quakes are common in the Andes and surroundings.

The beach is mostly small stones, but there are sandy beaches too.  Notice the blue tent "surfboard & wet suit rental" stand.  These tents are all along the beach, and they also provide surfing lessons.  You can rent surf boards and wet suits for a full day for about $11, and you can get a 90-minute lesson, including a surfboard & wetsuit (to use all day) for about $28.  It is a great surfing location.  

If you don't surf, you watch those that do. The water is cool and most people wear wet suits.  The Humboldt current brings cold water northwards along the South American coast.

The surfers out in the water looking for the next big wave.

This is a good place for a pier and a restaurant so you can have a better view of the ocean. This is the restaurant La Rosa Nautica.

Harold enjoys a beer in the Rustica next to the Pacific.

What goes down must go up, and one can always stop, rest and enjoy the view.

Yes, that is Julie not too happily making her way back up the steps.  It was a warm day, and the next time we were down at the beach, we took a taxi back up.

Once you are at the top, the views are varied and enjoyable.  Notice the surfboard park next to the ocean.

If you want to have virtual reality and you have your laptop, there is wifi access in all of Miraflores' parks.

Gatorade reminds us that bicycling, dancing, skating, aerobics, etc are good for our hearts. On Sunday mornings, Gatorade has a stand where they pass out drinks for the joggers, walkers, bicyclers, etc.

The little ones are not forgotten and there are multiple playground spaces for them.

 A naval yard for the young ones.

For those that like a challenge on their bikes, there is space for them also. See the lineup at the starting gate at the top of the picture.

 The skateboarders have considerable space also.

On a late afternoon - some of the old guys congregate. See the one sunbathing on the wall on the right of the picture and a group in the shade towards the left.

Different work-out machines are available all along the beach walkway (currently several miles long and expanding by the day). Our observation is that they are used.

 Julie tries out a machine on this available set.

 Another set of machines.

Instead of looking at the panoramic views, one can enjoy the flower plantings. Miraflores means "View the Flowers."

 This planting has the shape of an alligator.

 This planing is a hummingbird (we think).

One can also watch what other people are doing.  See the hang glider just to the right of the light house (a memorial to the Peru Navy). Paragliding is a daily activity, and yes, you could do it too -- for $56 for a 10-minute ride with a professional on board too.  

A view of the center piece in the Parque de Amor. Young people congregate there, and take the cue figuratively.

Of course, you can just walk along and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

If you really want to shop, you can walk to Larcomar (shopping center perched on the cliffs with over 100 stores.)  This pic taken from the web.  See some of the walkways in back of the mall.

Bicyclists are receiving favored treatment. The lane for them is marked and was recently painted this red-brown color (previously it had been green)

If you are a jogger and keeping to the right and not paying attention, you could run into this tree.  Harold can attest to that.

There is a tennis club behind the fence. The Miraflores parks are terrific and you never know what you will see around the bend - so keep on going.  Happy Trails!