Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Travel down Osma until you come to the Pedro de Osma Home/Museum which is open to visitation at times and has a wonderful collection of Colonial Art. The building is beautiful and worth the walk down this avenue on its own. Continue down Osma until you come to Jr. Montero Rosas and then take a left and have a nice walk through a typical neighborhood in Barranco. There are nice homes and small tiendas to take a peek in as well as street vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Take Jr. Montero Rosas till it comes to an end and take another left where shortly you come to a small street to the right called Jr. Deportes; take it till it ends in a couple of blocks on Av. Pan America Sur. Here you will take another left walking until you come to a place where the road splits in a “Y”. Cross the street and take the nicely paved brick sidewalk that now runs along the Av. Fransisco Bolognesi.

For the short period of time that you are on Bolognesi take the time to notice the very colorful homes, the buildings built in the Art Deco style and the fabulous La Candelaria Peña on this small section of your walk. I always find the wide variety of architectural styles mixed together here in Barranco very interesting. In a few blocks you will come to a pasaje to your right called Pasaje Sanches Carrion. It is here that the majority of nightlife in Barranco takes place. This short pasaje is lined with bars, discos and restaurants accommodating those who like to have fun till the wee hours of the morning. During the day it is nice to walk down this and admire the buildings that have been preserved, their colorful exteriors and interesting details. This pasaje takes you back to the Parque Municipal and now we will take the time to explore the interesting things found in and around it.

Barranco’s Municipal Park is a central hub for activity in this district. On any given day you can see anything from a commercial being filmed, a Festival of Artisans or a free aerobics class being given to the residents at the Bandshell. The benches are occupied by men and women taking a break from their busy day or just watching their children play. A beautiful fountain and pool sit at the center of the park with the soothing sound of running water and tall palm trees. The park is nicely landscaped with beautiful flowers and statuary for visitors to admire. A Bibliotech or Library sits on one side while the beautiful Church Santisma Cruz sits on the opposite side. If you look across Av. Grau there is a line of stores and small restaurant/bars. Of note amongst these is a small place called Jaunitos that serves the most delicious sandwiches. This restaurant was opened in the 1900’s as an Italian Store and bar but purchased by Juan Casusol in 1937 and converted to a restaurant/bar. He is still living and is 96 years old. There is no sign advertising its presence so you will have to step in and ask if you are in the right place. Also, take your time here in the park, have a seat on a bench and people watch for awhile.

After finishing your walk around the little park and admiring the things it has to offer or sitting on a bench and watching life go by, continue your walk up Av Miguel Grau towards Miraflores. Av. Grau is busy with traffic and noisy at times but there are many things of interest to see on our walk back towards Av. Sáenz Peña where we started. As you start your walk up Av. Grau look for a small restaurant called Las Mesitas. It’s a great little place with old world charm and very good food. On the other side of this section of Grau is a small dead end pasaje called Pasaje Rios. This small area has homes with the most interesting doors and if you look up at the end, there is a huge tree that looks like a giant mushroom covered with these beautiful red flowers. Not too much further is the Casa Rossell-Rios that I call the Red Palace. This building is in the process of being restored to its former glory. I am amazed at the work being done on it, especially the dome over the main building. I can’t wait till it is finished and opened to the public. Continuing on you come to the Metro building which I understand used to be the Mercado de Barranco. In changing it to a Metro they kept the façade of the building and have restored it so that it looks new. Please continue walking up Grau and in a few blocks from the Metro you will come to Jr. Martineź Pinillos, take a look down this street to your left. On the second floor of a building you will see the “Man Who Crashed into the Wall”; a most unusual sight and definitely worth taking a photo of. Now you can finish this walking tour of Barranco by proceeding up Av. Grau to the Av. Sáenz Peña where we started our adventure, as you do please take the time to note the wonderful older homes lining this section of the Avenue. I hope that those of you who have the chance will take this walk or any part of it and also take the time to explore all the little streets of Barranco and the delightful surprises they have in store for you.

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a very good way to know Barranco, thalnk you very much. I´m writing you from México,from queretaro.
yo conocí Barranco de muy niña ,( soy peruana, limeña, sanisidrina para mayor informacion ),al regrezar de la playa de LA HERRADURA con mis padres y la verdad es que ahora se vé el centro con la fuente de la hermosa mujer mucho mas engalanada, .Debo decir que ya existian las columnas  pero ahora adornadas con las flores de bugambilias, se admira mas su esplendor. Gracias por narrarnos  todas las bellas cosas que se pueden admirar en Barranco.
No sabía que ya funcionaba un tranvia electrico, al cual por cierto subí siendo chica , al principio de los  años sesentas .
Cuando van a escribir sobre SAN ISIDRO?  no dejen de hacerlo , estaré  al pendiente. ana rosa bérninzon d.,