Quick Update from Lima

I am headed to Cusco on Monday November 4^th! I am looking forward to getting settled and exploring a new city and region of Peru. Everyone has good things to say about this city. However, I have been in Lima long enough to get a feel for the culture and rhythm of the city. I don’t know how daily life will compare in Cusco, but here are things that so far

I love about Peru/Lima and things that I have started missing from home.

First of all the food here is fantastic! At almost all price levels there is something delicious. A big thing here is the lunch special, el menú. It’s a prepared menu, usually including an appetizer, main plate, drink and sometimes even dessert. The best part is the price, typically less than 12 soles (about $4.50). There certainly have the other spectrum, fancy creative culinary arts. I had the chance to join a few friends at Astrid and Gustón, supposedly the best restaurant in South America. There are some pictures below of the food. It was a whole evening culinary experience starting with a rice cracker served on a rock and finishing with coffee and pastry bites.

Going to the market and buying something you have never seen before is part of the fun. There are over 3,000 types of potatoes in Peru, potatoes of all shapes, colors and sizes. The tropical fruits are also abundant and tasty. My staples are mini bananas, mangos and avocados. Also the bread is delicious and very inexpensive. The variety is also amazing. Bread rolls make out of sweet potato, potato, rye, ones including onions, anis or raisins. Unfortunately the bread is too good and cheap and vegetables are harder to find and take more work to clean or cool. You throw in empanadas and delicious coffee and you get a sample of my diet.

Tubers! Oca on the left and Ulluco on the right

I do miss peanut butter. Good peanut butter, one without lots of sugar. I was craving it so much I barely thought twice about spending $7 on a jar once I found it. A lot of money considering lunch usually costs my half that. I must have been telling everyone who would listen because a friend gifted me a jar of crunchy peanut butter after a quick trip back to the US. I haven’t opened it yet, mostly because I am not ready to share.

Ok that was all about food. I also love where I where I have been staying in Lima. I love the ocean view and the running path that overlooks the ocean.  I like walking all over the place, although I hate the traffic. I definitely don’t miss driving. 

I am slightly ashamed to admit that I REALLY miss streaming TV.  I didn’t realize how much TV shows were my relaxing outlet. The benefit is that I am reading much more which I enjoy.

I am enjoying learning Spanish, reading it and listening to it everywhere. I hope I do more speaking once I move to Cusco too. The whole learning speaking another language is fun. I’m sure some of these things will change over time and maybe once I move, but here is a little update from Lima!