Once again, the day revolves around football. It is somewhat timely that I find myself on the other side of the planet, only for Sevilla FC to enjoy one of the most exciting seasons of the past ten years. From last place back in September, they are now challenging Athletic Bilbao for fourth, the elusive Champions' League spot. If Tottenham Hotspur needed a lesson on how to bring together a team composed of brand new signings, hang on to a manager, and look thoroughly excellent in the meantime (beating Real Madrid being a particular highlight this past two weeks), look to Sevilla. A pity that the great and glorious clubs of Europe are planning to cherry-pick our fine talents for their own squads this summer.
For the moment, however, its about Europe. The quarter finals of the Europa League have landed Sevilla with a tie against Porto, damnably difficult, and surely the Andalucians would be rank outsiders to get through to the semi-finals. However, only one goal down from the first (away) leg, I stand confident for this Thursday's return leg. Sevilla look good enough to hold their own, and after this weekend's drubbing of Español 4-1, with half the team being rested, it ought to be a brutal battle this week.
Anyway, that was the first half of the day. We wandered a little around Paracas but it really doesn't need that much time or energy. The main village centre is one small square, a mercado or two, and the Boulevard Turistica. To the left and right of the town are the fancy resorts. We wander along the beach as far as we can, before encountering a blockade of garbage and dead things. The Nice Hotel (The Aranwa, Paracas) which faces this section of the beach is far enough back that this flotsam is obscured by a little wall. You'd like to think so at US$350 per night.
For the moment, however, its about Europe. The quarter finals of the Europa League have landed Sevilla with a tie against Porto, damnably difficult, and surely the Andalucians would be rank outsiders to get through to the semi-finals. However, only one goal down from the first (away) leg, I stand confident for this Thursday's return leg. Sevilla look good enough to hold their own, and after this weekend's drubbing of Español 4-1, with half the team being rested, it ought to be a brutal battle this week.
Anyway, that was the first half of the day. We wandered a little around Paracas but it really doesn't need that much time or energy. The main village centre is one small square, a mercado or two, and the Boulevard Turistica. To the left and right of the town are the fancy resorts. We wander along the beach as far as we can, before encountering a blockade of garbage and dead things. The Nice Hotel (The Aranwa, Paracas) which faces this section of the beach is far enough back that this flotsam is obscured by a little wall. You'd like to think so at US$350 per night.
Yes. Gollywogs, advertising the collection of Afro-Peruano art in Chincha, a small town north of here.
One of the fancy hotels that rather reminded me of Holyrood.
Aforementioned Aranwa Resort. Nice.
Boys bringing in big sacks of shellfish. Paracas is still primarily a fishing village, tourism being a big bonus.
So Paracas has a tiny centre and a lot of expense around it. We spend most of the day relaxing, Sarah is working on our Peru itinerary, I am cursing the cold sore I have acquired. When hunger eventually strikes we wander into the town and end up in a little Spanish-themed restaurant, Bar Flamenco, where we are stung PNS$100 (just over twenty quid) for a paella for two. Apparently it's more expensive if you have actual ingredients in it. Shock horror. We were supposed to go for beers with Richard after that but our budget has been decimated and I am a little exhausted after all the day's excitement. An early night.
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