Mi primera ves en Peru

Where to begin with Lima Peru....... Like any country or state you visit you have your nice and not so nice areas. The majority of Peru is poverty stricken. Many areas have dirt roads and incomplete houses. The walls are covered in graffiti and many areas are just very run down. On the other side of the spectrum you have your beautiful neighborhoods that have scenic views of the pacific ocean. I was lucky enough to be staying in Miraflores which is one of the very nice areas of Lima.

I went to Lima for a business project that I am working on. I dont want to say just yet what that is, but I needed to come down to learn about the industry and to check out some of the materials needed. The first 3 days I can say I was extremely busy and even thou I don’t think I made the progress I wanted to make I still managed to get an experience and learn something from this experience. I just needed to learn in a less expensive way!

Some interesting fact about lima is that it never rains. I was here for 4 days and they are in the overcast season. I barely saw the sun out since it was nothing but clouds but believe it or not they tell me it never rains. There are always clounds but no rain. They get more rain in the desserts then they do in Lima. When I arrived I thought I would have nothing but sun and maybe have some time to build on a tan but NADA!!!!

Also if your planning a trip to lima I hope you have nerves of steel. THEY DRIVE LIKE LOCOS!!!!!!!!! I dont think of myself to be a nervous wreck but OMG I felt like I was going to die every time I got in a car. I was on a highway on a way to a party for a couple who were celebrating there 12 year anniversary and we must have gone aginst traffic 3 TIMES!!! EVEN A TRAFFIC OFFICER TOLD US TO GO AGAINST THE TRAFFIC TO GET ON THE MAIN ROAD!!! There aren’t many stops signs or traffic lights and people just drive any way they feel like. NO FUN

On a positive note I really enjoyed the coastal park in Miraflores. I also liked that they had a mall built into the cliffs that overlooked the Pacific ocean. I also got to go to a 12 year anniversary party for a gay couple and there friends. There must have been like 8 couples there that were together for 10 plus years. The food was delicious and dont get me started on the fruits and vegetables so rich and tasty. The people in lima were just as sweet!

Anyways its time for me to get some rest, Sorry I didnt take many pictures but my focus was on other things and I didnt really get the chance to be a tourist.

Jonathan Vargas

Marching in Numbers

Its a shame that I live in a country where I cannot marry the person I love. That I can be evicted from my home or lose my job because of my sexual orientation. Its a shame that thousands are harassed and discriminated and aren't protected under the law.

Having said that, my friends and I thought it would only be fair that we stand behind the movement and provide support for the Equality March. On October 11, 2009 we marched with 200,000 other members and supports of the LGBT community. Letting everyone know in Capital of hill that we are no longer going to wait around for them to take there time with our issues. That we are only asking for the rights that everyone else has in this country.

"A free and equal people do not tolerate prioritization of their rights. They do not accept compromises. They do not accept delays. And when we see leaders and those who represent us saying 'you must wait again,' we say No! No! No longer will we wait!" Cleve Jones

I think what we did by marching was amazing but if you were to ask me what we should do to really get there attention I would tell the LGBT community to stop paying there TAXES!!! I am more then sure that Washington would read the message loud and clear and they would changes the law in minutes!!! but thats just my opinion and don't necessary know if that would work.

Keep on Fighting

Jonathan Vargas