9.02pm, Tuesday May 19, KSA Tomada ....such a lovely afternoon

I have spent the most enjoyable afternoon with G, a couchsurfer I arranged to meet with at Larcomar, the shopping plaza on the sea in Miraflores. We sat in a restaraunt called Mango and ate dessert while looking out at the ocean's fog. I had something pudding-like, apparently fruit-flavoured though it tasted more lke cheesecake, and a lukewarm cafe au lait. I was given a coffee cup and three mini pitchers, one of espresso, one of water, one of milk. Gratifying to play with but I prefer my coffee hot.

G is a handsome and lovely, open, intelligent and interesting professor and artist. I talked and talked to him. We spoke of movies and plays and my thesis and working. I did not talk about my zits or my weight. That's what happens when I am with a male. I control myself in order to make a confident impression. That's not to say I wasn't painfully aware of my zits or my unflattering black shorts the entire time. I wore them because I was pretending it was a hot day and I didn't want my vanity/insecurity to determine my clothes. We talked a bit about the experience of growing up under communism and then major upheavals of government.

We also talked about existing on the fringe of the arts world, which for him is a choice, for me a lack of personality. While he craves obscurity despite his many successes in the arts industry, I crave fame and would be fine with hanging out in the art-power circles if they'd have me in all my existential unmaskedness.

G has lived in Vancouer and Boston but loves Lima and Peru. We talked so much that the fog cleared and the ocean lay steely blue beyond us.

G drove me to Baranco, the city's old bohemian quarter overlooking the sea, where some painters and sculptors still live and now home to popular clubs. We walked along a wide cobbled path between old summer sea houses and looked out at the ocean. It was a beautiful warm moment of the night, the sun setting a light pink band across the horizon in a lightly but evenly clouded sky. I could have stayed there forever.

We drove on for another view of the sea and then went below the major highway where the city has recently installed large sculptures, several fountains and a footbridge. This little public area appeared to be in the middle of nowhere but it is where people cross to go to the beach and there were rows of closed beachside stalls, wooden white with slatted sides.

G's love of his country is inspiring - as was W's fondness for her city - and I wish that I was staying in Peru longer. I hope to keep in touch with G and meet him again soon.

I am now back in the bookshop for a second round of triple sandwich and beer. The sandwich was less perfect than Monday night's but still just what I wanted.

Earlier this evening I stupidly entered my pin number incorrectly three times in an ATM machine and it ate my card. Stupid!

I should go before it gets to late.