“Lima the Grey” was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours during the opening ceremony of the Pan American Games at the Estadio Nacional last night.

Even the grey sky that sits over the populous Peruvian capital during the winter months like a suffocating coat of fog could not suppress the vibrant scenes, explosion of flavours and cacophony of noise created by those inside the 50,000-seater stadium.

Sure, the large sections of empty seats inside the venue would have been a concern for the organisers of the biggest cultural event in the country’s history.

However, it hardly mattered such was the enthusiasm and passion of the tens of thousands who attended the brightly-coloured curtain raiser. To say those watching all over the Americas were treated to a quintessential Peruvian experience would be an understatement.

It is a country that certainly boasts a wealth of cultures and traditions, not to mention its acclaimed cuisine, the deliciousness of which this reporter can certainly vouch for.

The blue and red Bermuda team tracksuit (sorry St George’s fans) kindly provided to the local journalists covering these Games has already started feeling worrying snug, particularly around the midriff. And I only arrived a few days ago!

Those plentiful portions of ceviche, a traditional fish dish par excellence, and anticuchos de corozon — grilled heart to the uninitiated — have been well worth the extra belly fat, though.

The all-singing, all-dancing affair also included star turns from – well, stars that nobody outside of Latin American will have probably heard of.

Luis Fonsi, anyone? Perhaps it is just a case of myself getting old.

Elaborate dance scenes depicting Peru’s proud heritage, myths, stories and characters whipped the crowd into a veritable frenzy before giving prominence to the evening’s prime purpose, the Parade of Nations.

Bermuda’s athletes, lead by sailor Cecilia Wollmann, who was bestowed with the honour of flag bearer, looked resplendent in their famous red Bermuda shorts and navy blazer combo.

It was the final time they will be worn with the island switching to its national colours of pink and blue for the Olympic Games in Tokyo next summer.

Missing from the island’s contingent were swimmers Madelyn Moore and Jesse Washington, who are still competing in the World Championships in Gangju, South Korea, as well as long jumper Tyrone Smith and middle-distance runner Dage Minor.

The spectacular three-hour celebration closed with a procession of pre-Hispanic cultures, from the ancient Caral-Supe civilisation to the glorious Inca Empire before the Pan American flame, which had completed a journey all of the way from Teotihuacan in Mexico, reached the stadium.

All that was left was for Puerto Rican “international star” Luis Fonsi to close out the show.