Departure Dance

Tuesday 16 November 2010
Lima airport this morning at the departure gate, travellers were treated to an impromptu performance of Chilean song and dance by a group waiting for their flight to Caracas. The musicians were playing their guitars and singing beautifully, the people in the hall clapping along. Then, a couple got up to dance, circling each other, hankies waving above their heads. By the time I'd got my camera out it was nearly over but I managed a couple of shots.
Quality wise, the pictures are not much but it was a lovely, joyous interlude for everyone present, smiles all around. Maybe it could happen at Heathrow? Maybe not.
The dance is Chile's national dance. Called the Cueca, it parodies the courtship between a cockerel and chicken, the hankies representing a cocks comb.

Hola, Hola, Hola - ¿Que Pasa Aquí?

Friday 12 November 2010: Hola, Hola, Hola - ¿Que Pasa Aquí?

Riot Police in Lima near the Presidential Palace. Despite the mean look, they were quite relaxed and happy to pose for the camera. Apparently they are always there as it's the one place in Peru where protest is not allowed. There were a few more than usual on duty today as there were several African and Middle Eastern statesmen & women visiting.

To get the title you have to be British of a certain age and remember the cliché of a policeman catching a wrong-doer red handed.