Christmas (24, 25 December 2005)

Christmas Eve 2005, how quickly it has come around. Christmas in Peru is celebrated with the traditional tree - just like back in Australia.


The timing is a little different though. We went to mass at 9pm and then returned to the home for dinner. Here we are from left to right, John, Saul, Lorena, Tatiana, Alberto, Rodigo, Ines, Carmen and Eduardo.


The following day we had another gathering of friends, from left to right, Tata, Teresa, Maqui, Carmen, Lucho, John, Lorena and Brunella.


There were quite a few presents to be opened! We were doing this at 2am in the morning of Christmas day. Amazing.

Christmas - Family (24 December 2005)

The present giving was fun. One gift at a time along with a photo. Here we are exchanging gifts with Lorena's family. Carmen loved the presents from Bruce and Christine in Australia (John's parents). These included australian porcelain plates, australian place mats and australian chocolates.


Here we are with Lorena's father, Saul, who decided to give everyone books from his private library. Lorena received a book on business management and John, books on Aviation Law and Regulations (in spanish). Plenty to read!

Lorena's brother, Alberto, gave us a wonderful silver frame in which we will put our best wedding photo. Also a cheese platter and salad spoons made of wood and silver. Very special presents for our future home.

Our Civil Wedding (16 December 2005)

We had many things to do before the wedding. There were some beaurocratic procedures to go through. And then of course John had to buy a new suit, shirt, shoes and belt (and get a haircut). Lorena is here in her new dress with a natural bouquet. We are ready to be married.



The ceremony was performed at the council offices of La Molina in Lima, Peru. There were two details of note. The celebrant spoke in a booming voice (evidence on the DVD) and secondly the backdrop to the ceremony was dominated by a huge painting. "The battle of Angamos 8th of October 1879" (Hardly romantic). However the ceremony went very well.

So here we are in 1879!

And now, a "just married" couple, and very happy to be spending our lives together.

Civil Wedding Ceremony - Guests (16 December 2005)

The day of the wedding was very exciting. Here we are with Lorena's parents, almost ready to leave the house, John, Carmen, Saul and Lorena.

It was a beautiful (slightly hot) day in La Molina for the wedding. Everybody arrived in plenty of time. Our two witnesses for the ceremony were Valeria (left) and Brunella.

Lunch at the Country Club of San Isidro from left to right, Alberto, Saul, Valeria, John, Lorena, Brunella, Vanessa, Tatiana, Judith, Teresa (partially obscured), Carmen (really obscured).

Outside the club after lunch, John with the girls (L-R) Vanessa, Judith, Lorena, John, Cecilia, Valeria and Brunella.

Here is the evidence, the bouquet, the rings and the document.

Lima (11,13,16 November 2005)

John's birthday was on the 11th of November and we invited some friends to come over to celebrate with family. We ate pizza (there was a lot) and then had the most excellent cake adorned with ?? candles (Lorena thought it was a big job to use all those candles). Here from left to right are Alberto, Tatiana, Lorena, John, Carmen and Teresa.

The cake was made of layers of chocolate cake and "lucuma" cream. Lucuma is a Peruvian fruit, and it is John's favorite. Hmmmmm!!!


On Sunday 13th of November we had a family lunch together at Pardo's Chicken in Larcomar (Miraflores). Here from left to right are John, Lorena, Alberto, Carmen and Saul.



John was planning to return home to Australia to see his family so we decided to visit the Indian markets in Miraflores to buy some Christmas presents. Here we are on 16th of November looking at artesanias (handcrafts) - we bought a present for Bruce at this store.