Dos Limas

Day 7 of the project,
On the road to Cuzco

Like so many cities around the world, Lima is a city divided between the have's and have not's. I spent two days wandering around the wealthy suburbs that line the coast. Beautiful and modern buildings, immaculate parks (complete with tennis courts and football pitches), casinos and shopping malls. Not to mention the amazing food and diverse array of options. It was easy to forget about the reality of most Limenos.

It is in plain view now. The bus is flying along the highway, passing the barrios that teem with shoddy half-constructed apartments, no hint of grass (just garbage and dirt), dirty markets and questionable restaurants. The food might taste good, but it would most certainly upset my delicate first-world stomach.

The stark contrast surfaces many thoughts and feelings. What is poverty? I certainly know how academics and economists define it. But there is a distinction between being poor and suffering.  Obviously the failure to meet basic needs is considered suffering. And the seven-figure incomes of the technorati of Silicon Valley are at the other extreme. Beyond that is a sea of gray area. In the spectrum of privilege, where does one go from being impoverished to poor to middle class to rich to extremely rich? And where are people the happiest?


Monetarily speaking, I am acutely aware of my privilege within the world. Not only do I have enough resources to survive but travel thousands of miles simply for personal experience. I am highly educated and have access to good healthcare. For this privilege, should I feel guilty? Or just thank fate for dealing me a better hand than 98% of the world?

This topic is also applicable within the U.S. Which begs more questions...like why does the wealthiest, most privileged nation in the world still have so many citizens who do not get enough to eat? Or live in shelters? Should we shift our resources away from things like international aid to fix internal problems? Am I selfish for taking this trip when the dollars could go to helping other Americans?

Perhaps the biggest question of all: does privilege and wealth give you a good and happy life?  Aside from basic necessities, I'm inclined to believe it doesn't. Research would support this; rates of depression and suicide are higher in places like Japan and the U.S. than they are in places like Peru. Those who are happy generally subscribe to family and friends over material goods. Of course, this research is generally collected and documented by educated privileged people like me.

I don't profess to have answers...even to the personal questions about guilt and selfishness. I suspect I will never have a complete picture. I'm aiming for a clear personal perspective by the end of the trip.