I really like your comparisons between Rama and Galvez! Although the two have vastly different ideas about the direction of Lima, I still believe that the ideas that come through to readers are quite similar - mainly, that chaos can become even worse sometimes through modernization. Though Galvez doesn't express this directly, the introduction to his piece certainly mentions that people disagree with him, and I thought that was interesting!
Oooh, I love how you apply thoughts taken from Rama with your experience of the last couple of days. Also love the pics and video!
But I thought I'd pick up on one quick thing you say at the start: "Lima has strong foundational ties to the indigenous populations surrounding it." I'm not so sure that this is true. Rather, the point is that (especially but not only) the colonial foundation and conception of the city takes the landscape as tabula rasa (to take up a phrase Gabo uses in his blog). It's only much later, for instance in the 1950s with the rebuilding of the Huaca we saw yesterday, that people here wanted to celebrate (even fantasize about) an Indigenous past the preceded the city.
I thought the examples you used in San Isidro were great! Since it's one of the richer districts it's no surprise that there would be more evidence of orderliness and planning. As you say, Peru has transformed significantly, and what's left over really is a chaotic mix. Vancouverites like ourselves are accustomed to the bureaucracy but not the everyday rush of Lima which you've documented here.
I really like your comparisons between Rama and Galvez! Although the two have vastly different ideas about the direction of Lima, I still believe that the ideas that come through to readers are quite similar - mainly, that chaos can become even worse sometimes through modernization. Though Galvez doesn't express this directly, the introduction to his piece certainly mentions that people disagree with him, and I thought that was interesting!
Oooh, I love how you apply thoughts taken from Rama with your experience of the last couple of days. Also love the pics and video!
But I thought I'd pick up on one quick thing you say at the start: "Lima has strong foundational ties to the indigenous populations surrounding it." I'm not so sure that this is true. Rather, the point is that (especially but not only) the colonial foundation and conception of the city takes the landscape as tabula rasa (to take up a phrase Gabo uses in his blog). It's only much later, for instance in the 1950s with the rebuilding of the Huaca we saw yesterday, that people here wanted to celebrate (even fantasize about) an Indigenous past the preceded the city.
Hi Emily,
I thought the examples you used in San Isidro were great! Since it's one of the richer districts it's no surprise that there would be more evidence of orderliness and planning. As you say, Peru has transformed significantly, and what's left over really is a chaotic mix. Vancouverites like ourselves are accustomed to the bureaucracy but not the everyday rush of Lima which you've documented here.