Trujillo Part II: Mud City & La Plaza de Armas

Top things to do in Trujillo, Peru...

The Chan Chan Ruins in Trujillo, Peru were just incredible. Now that I look at the photos I think, "Well, these look like every other photo online." I suppose a photo can never do justice to the real-deal, huh? For a tour of all the Chan Chan ruins(including the museum) in Trujillo, you can find a guide at the front entrance of the main ruins. That is what I did with Emily. At first we thought... well this is sketchy, these random guides sitting at the front entrance with their cars and badges. Anyhow, we took a chance and the guide did not enter the ruins with us, but drove us from the different ruins throughout Trujillo and shared with us about Trujillo's culture. // At the main ruins, we did not pay for a guided tour but ended up asking questions to one of the ruin staff, who was incredible at explaining all the findings that took place at the site.  He explained different rituals that took place and how the different findings define the civilization. He even drew in the sand to explain to us the dynamics of the Chan Chan civilization that lived in the ruins. This is something that I didn't see any of the guides do. hehe. Emily and I are just a whirl-wind of questions, and if given the chance, and the fact that our guide was waiting outside, I think we would have wanted to sleep overnight at the ruins. hehe.

Another place to go is the Plaza de Armas. Most of the hostels are located right by the Plaza de Armas. What is there to do there? Look at the beautiful Spaniard Colonial Architecture, and the bold, beautiful colors of the buildings. Basically, if you walk two blocks in any direction you will see another beautiful, antique church.

The nightlife in Trujillo is okay. I wanted to go salsa dancing with Emily, but every place we went to was charging $25 for entry fee, and they wouldn't let us take a look first. Oh, we also almost got robbed/conned by a man who pretended he was a dance teacher and student United States. His story was surprisingly detailed and geographically correct. Afterwards we learned that he was a multilingual con man who goes around exchanging bills with foreigners. There was actually a warning poster about him at the hostel, which I hadn't seen. Thanks to our skeptical mentalities and cheap-skate  traveler's budgets, we did not have any large bills for him to break, then never return.

Traveler's tip: Yes, you can take photos for people and if they ask you to do a survey for them, why not? If they invite you for a drink, be vigilant. However, if they want to exchange a large bill with you, don't do it. Always keep your money on you. Fake currency isn't good for any traveler... who wants money that isn't accepted? No oneeeee!

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I did an incredible study in Psalms the other day.

"Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name who satisfies your desires with good things 

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- 

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life

oiiiiiihjjyhfrom the pit and crowns you with love and compassion..."

-Psalms 103:1-5

So easy it is to find yourself thanking God before meals, when you wake, and before bed. You know, the routine. But if it's just a routine, is it sincere? I found myself in the motions recently and have committed to getting myself off of that railroad. Also, I need to think about my placement of free time. Hello Instagram. Am I spending more time on Instagram than praying or thanking God? Embarrassingly enough, the answer was YES! Now, each time I reach for my phone I ask, how much time have I spent in God today? So, how much time do you sincerely spend with God, even if it's just in the back of your thoughts?

Love the Lord in More Than the Good Times,

Christine

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