Peru

I have been invited to Peru by a group of christian missionaries. This would be a working trip. I've been asked if I could help provide photographic documentation of the earthquake and the related relief efforts along the south coastal region.

I'm planning to shoot 4x5 - both color (provia or E-100G) and B&W.

Although I'll not likely have much free time to tour, I may find a few extra days in and around Lima.

Any suggestions for where to stay?
good places to eat?
important sights to see?
places to avoid?
Can you recommend a local guide?
anything else?

Thx in advance.

Brad.

When you are already in the south, go to Arequipa. It's much nicer (and probably safer) than Lima.
The oasis Huacachina near Ica is nice to visit and has two or three hotels. And there are obviously the Nazca lines, visible via Cessna from Nazca.
The coastal line south of Pisco (the earthquake region) is nice and there are the islas ballestas, rocks covered with birds. You have to hire a boat to go there.
But if I were you I'd take the opportunity, take a few more days and try to see the andes. Go to the titicaca lake or the valle sagrado: Machu Piccu and Cuzco.

And personally I would not take LF gear. For documentation 35mm or MF is better suited and more handy.

Take care.
I attached a few pictures for you. I took them in 2002.

In addition to the previous suggestions, the area around Lake Titicaca and the lake islands is very nice.

If you have access to the NY Times online's archives, go look in their travel section. The world's second tallest waterfall has been discovered in Peru, and there is also supposed to be another Inca city like Maachu Piichu, not far from it, that is just as spectacular and far less touristed. It is also, if memory serves, another 2000 feet or so lower, so easier to ascend and acclimate to.

Random thoughts: Miraflores is a nice area of Lima, some good restaurants and some nice "pensiones" (sort of a cross between a bed and breakfast and a motel - all the ones I've stayed in have been very nice - google Miraflores and Pension, I'm sure you will find some). Arequipa "the white city" is lovely, and has an inactive volcano near it called "Misty". The Nazca lines are great from the air, but almost invisible from the ground. There are some old burial grounds around Nazca. If you can get to Lake Titicaca (the Peruvians say the "titi" part of the lake is in Peru, and the "caca" (poop) part is in Bolivia - I think the Bolivians do it the other way around) and have the time, take the train from Puno to Cuzco, and see Machu Pichu. The train trip through the the Andes is comfortable, and the scenery and villages along the way are great.
I don't think you'll need a guide unless you want to get a ways off the beaten track. I'd just hire a taxi recommended by wherever you're staying. If you don't speak Spanish get someone to tell the driver what you want to do, or ask for one with some English. Negotiate the price before leaving. Get a travel dictionary. Try a Pisco Sour and the paella.
I'm jealous. Have a great trip.

I'll second the Miraflores area in Lima. I stayed in the Home Peru hostel which was very clean and friendly.

There is some neat stuff in central Lima to see as well, especially churches, statues and buildings. The ornateness of the Lima windows is quite famous. A guide book will show you all the main things to see. There are tours, but I'd hire taxis so you can spend all the time you want wherever you want.