When your Spanish isn't perfect you listen for key words - hints at what the speaker is saying. From that you extrapolate the meaning of a sentence, a phrase, a question, or a statement. This can be dangerous and everyone has a moment when they nod and smile but really they were … [Read more...] about Imaginary Conversations
To the Top of the Mountain
For 5 soles (less than $2) you can take what you think will be a tacky tour in Lima on a small bus that leaves from the downtown area of the city and winds its way up the San Cristobal hill to give you a view of the entire city. I've seen a lot of cities and in general the view … [Read more...] about To the Top of the Mountain
A Peruvian Fairytale
Once Upon A Time... ...There lived a Spanish king who ruled the South American country of Peru from afar. In those days the will of the King was upheld by his representative in the country, the Viceroy. Peru's Viceroy ruled the Lima with gold stripped from the earth of the … [Read more...] about A Peruvian Fairytale
Mercado Surquillo and a World of Fruit
There are a lot of places in Lima a single female gringo (foreigner) should not go alone. Basically I can walk around my neighbourhood between the hours of 9am and 6pm, but if I walk for more than 30 minutes in any direction I need to consider what I'm wearing, who I'm with, how … [Read more...] about Mercado Surquillo and a World of Fruit
Papaya (Day 2) and Chicha Morada
I'm becoming a little obsessed with papaya juice. I'm convinced it's supposed to taste better than it has to me in the past, so every time I go to a restaurant with fresh juices I want to try the papaya. On Day 2 of my papaya quest I asked for a glass of papaya juice ($1.30 … [Read more...] about Papaya (Day 2) and Chicha Morada
A “Nutritional Masterpiece” and What Papaya is Supposed to Taste Like
In my entire life (toda mi vida?") I have only bought two papayas. Each time, they sat on my kitchen counter in Montreal not ripening for periods of time ranging from a few days to a week and half and in the end they always tasted like nothing. That's not to say I've only eaten … [Read more...] about A “Nutritional Masterpiece” and What Papaya is Supposed to Taste Like
Un Café, Por Favor
I finally understand coffee. It took 24 years and a breakfast of fluffy white bread and jam to get it, but here I am, 'getting' it. When two Montreal business men who you meet in a small hotel in Lima, Peru remark on the quality of the coffee included in the continental … [Read more...] about Un Café, Por Favor
In Search of Incan Gold: Lucuma and Tropical Fruit
I can't go to the market. I am a single white female who doesn´t speak Spanish and who stands out like a sore thumb in Lima, Peru, which means I need to be accompanied at all times. That also means that normally I would just take a taxi everywhere but both the taxi and the … [Read more...] about In Search of Incan Gold: Lucuma and Tropical Fruit
Lufa Farms First Basket: Fresh Cherry Tomato Salsa with Green Pepper, Cilantro, and Lime
I couldn't bear to cook these beautiful cherry tomatoes. So I gave myself two options: Gazpacho or salsa. Salsa won. Really gazpacho and salsa are almost the same thing (more or minus lime juice, different kinds of vinegars, or tomato juice). But most importantly, for gazpacho I … [Read more...] about Lufa Farms First Basket: Fresh Cherry Tomato Salsa with Green Pepper, Cilantro, and Lime
The Great Newfoundland Rum Taste Test
8 people, 5 rums, I winner. I have great friends who volunteer to come to my house to taste test the rums I brought back from Newfoundland. Business and pleasure is a great combination sometimes. The Brands: Cruzan Blackstrap Aged Rum Iceberg Gold Old … [Read more...] about The Great Newfoundland Rum Taste Test