Things I will already miss about Peru or just take home with
me:
1.
Those little spoons they stir the coffee with.
2.
The crowed combi rides (combis are vans that
take you almost everywhere.)
3.
Maybe even the moto-taxis (three wheeled
motorcycles that take you everywhere, maybe for a slightly higher fee, but they
are very convenient.)
4.
The good food. Yep, the food here is much better
on average than in the U.S. Occasionally it is oh hum but only at Bembos (like
McDonalds) is it worse than oh hum.
5.
Adding lime to chicken soups. Try it. It is
excellent.
6.
Very few Peruvians smoke, they know it is
expensive.
7.
Many of the houses here have a beautiful sense
of architecture.
Things I don’t understand: Why do they
start the business day at 8 or 9 when the sun sets at 6 or 6:30? They live a great
deal in the dark here. Or at least my families have. When I start early morning
patrol to figure out peoples’ schedules then I might learn more.
One thing I won’t miss: The traffic in
Lima. At one point there are 6 lanes of traffic going into Lima. OK, I realize
this is a big city and 6 lanes going into a big city should be no big deal,
except this is on a one way road with only two-lanes. Driving is a constant game of switching lanes
and trying to cut other drivers off. I think everyone hates the traffic in
Lima.
I have been up and down the coast of Peru
since my last post. I am now in my site in Cerro Alegre in the Department of
Lima, District of Cañete,
an agricultural area much like Salinas. This is a nice quiet suburb with a few
minimarkets, just like Fresno the Mini Markets lack fruit and vegetables, many
mototaxi’s waiting to take you to Imperial, the bigger town near where there
are an amazing number of little stores selling everyday items.
The nicest place I was at Tina Silva’s
site, in the north in Lambayeca. Or at least when I was there, it was country
quiet, with a beautiful view of some mountains. I felt I could live there
forever. Much of the coast is irrigated agriculture or desert sands. Much of it
I passed in the night on buses with the windows covered with shades or
moisture. So although I have traveled pretty much coast to coast that doesn’t
mean I have seen the whole coast.
I have not been in the Sierras, yet...I
will in a few months.
I am curious about the cuisine, besides white rice and hot dogs. Have you had Quinoa, corn, sweet potatoes? I've read these were staples in the Andes. Costco now carries quinoa and mayacoba beans plus all the usual. I'm wondering how they are served there. I'm accustomed to Cuban and Spanish approach, even Mexican but I know little of Peru.
ReplyDeleteThose little spoons are called demitasse here and are available. Our parrots enjoy feeding themselves peanut butter using one. We use them for expresso.
We've gone vegetarian mostly so I have much more curiosity about what to do with some unfamiliar foods.
A combination of lemon and chili powder adds a zing to a bland soup, an insipid melon or fruit. T
We miss you and our tenants miss you even more.
Ingrid,
ReplyDeleteWe're scrambling to find someone to treat bugs in MH. Yes, there are the usual services available -Clark, etc.- but you've spoiled us and our tenants for that plus there are several people with small babies. I've checked with the Apartment Assn I originally found you thru. We've called various ads and searched on IPM and pest control, etc., but no luck so far. Might you have any suggestions? My email is jw321@sbcglobal.net. There's just a few bugs now but you know how that goes.... We've finished replacing all the kitchen cabinets and thoroughly caulked them.
Yes, we do miss you!
I hope they appreciate you in Peru.
Jan & Tom