Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Despite the fact that Peru's Luis Horna tried to go unperceived when he arrived to Jorge Chavez airport in Lima, he was immediately spotted by fans when a young woman shouted, "There's Luis Horna!".

A commotion immediately broke out as fans and press swamped the recent winner of the men's doubles at this year's French Open.

Horna and his Uruguayan partner Pablo Cuevas made a spectacular appearance and could not be stopped at Roland Garros.

Horna was received with honor and like a national hero as soon as fans saw him at the airport.

Reporters rushed to him with microphones in hand as Peruvians cheered and applauded his arrival, many of them claiming that the tennis player should be awarded the "Laureles deportivos" - the highest honor a Peruvian athlete can receive from the country's government.

The government said it would do just that on Thursday morning.

Peru's number one tennis player was received by congress in a plenary session and recognized for his immense effort at the French Open.

Luis Gonzales Posada did not end the congressional session until he had expressed the privilege of having Luis Horna present.

Before Gonzales could finish his statement, legislators broke out in applause and cheers.

The head of congress said it was likely that "Lucho" Horna would be granted the Laureles deportivos.