A few weeks ago, my friend, Rose, made a spontaneous visit to Lima.

In dire need to entertain on her last night in town, I suggested we ride bikes through the city. When we finally made it to this park, I decided we ride through it after seeing herds of people circled around (what seemed like) nothing.

Then we heard the salsa and saw the dancing.

We hopped off the bikes, peeping through any hole we could find between limbs that stood in before us, obstructing our view.

When we finally found a spot, we watched the swaying of arms and shuffling of feet and rubbing of shoulders between strangers. Couples out in full swing. Relatives twirling. Friends clapping.

Rose and I were passive bystanders to a show that unraveled before us, for us.

Funny how it always takes having a visitor to appreciate the city you thought you knew everything about.

Photos taken on a Canon AE-1.