WELCOME TO 2-2-2 TUESDAY
Here are 2 Cultural Highlights, 2 Quotes, and 2 Brief Stories for you to enjoy.
Inspired by Sacred Valley, Peru
2 Cultural Highlights
1.
Great Eats: El Menu del Día:
How did the South Americans hit a home run in the restaurant world?
They created a true win-win-win for the restaurant, cooks, and customers.
The Peruvian “Menu del Dia” offers generous portions, and the food is usually made fresh with local ingredients.
It’s the no-brainer option for travelers who want to try authentic Peruvian food without breaking the bank. Meals typically costs around 10 to 20 soles (around 3 to 6 US dollars) depending on the restaurant and location.
A lunch menu typically includes a soup or salad, a main dish, and a drink or dessert. Main dishes may feature traditional Peruvian cuisine, such as ceviche, lomo saltado, or ají de gallina.
As a traveler, it’s the perfect opportunity to dine among locals for a great price.
2.
The Cats of Kennedy Park:
Where can you find free A+ entertainment and “cat-therapy?”
Head to perhaps the most unique park in Lima, Peru where beautiful trees, flowers, and sculptures are secondary. You could say that cats have become the emotional support animals of the capital of Peru.
Here, you’ll find well over 100 cats of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Doing what cats do best. Never have we seen such a concentration of kitties. It’s hilarious.
As you stroll through the park, you will likely experience the best behaviors of felines:
– Spinning in circles trying to catch their tails.
– Leaping onto trees, jumping over obstacles, and even doing flips in the air.
– Napping in strange places.
– Displaying their extreme sass and independence.
One moment the furry feline is purring as you stroke its back, and seconds later she’s trying to tear off your arm.
Overall, cats are full of personality and entertaining behaviors. It’s no wonder they make us smile and brighten our day.
The best part of this experience? You can leave them at the park. You don’t have to clean up after them, or wonder if they will be cared for. They have been adopted and cared for by animal welfare organizations and volunteers who provide them with food, water, and medical care.
The park was named to recognize the country’s positive relationship with the former US President. It makes me think John F. Kennedy must have been a cat person.
2 Quotes to Consider
1. “The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.”
— George Bernard Shaw
2. ” Good food and good eating are about risk…Cheers, folks.”
— Anthony Bourdain
2 Brief Stories
1.
Guinea Pig: It’s What’s for Dinner!?
The House of Guinea Pigs, a small restaurant located inside a small Peruvian home, was the perfect place to try a Peruvian delicacy. Our curiosity piqued after reading countless menus featuring “cuy.”
It’s true. Guinea pigs are not pets in Peru. Rather, the cuy (pronounced coo-ee) has served as a traditional and important source of protein in the Andes region for centuries.
One fateful rainy afternoon, we stumbled across “Casa de Cuy,” and we’re glad we did.
After reading the sign, I knocked on the door and gently pushed it open. In doing so, we discovered a large guinea pig habitat built on the side of a small home. Katrina, the owner, quickly welcomed us into her home and offered to give us a tour of the place.
They had over two-hundred guinea pigs happily moving about the space. The furry animals were strategically separated into smaller groups based on age, gender, and levels of aggression. The place was clean, well organized, and teeming with life. We were thoroughly impressived considering they were technically not open for business and were not expecting visitors.
Their food was fresh alfalfa, grown by the owners themselves. It was neatly stored on the walls.
As we walked around, we asked dozens of questions about the animals, the food tradition and the meal preparation. It was interesting to learn that our hosts only ate cuy for special occasions, such as birthday celebrations. After learning it takes a few hours to prepare, our hosts made a reservation for us to come back that evening for dinner.
It was very much a farm to table experience given their living area was only ten to twenty feet away as we ate!
It was also a family affair. Mom cooked the delicious sides, including organic potatoes and vegetables. Dad season and roasted the cuy. Their ten-year-old daughter charmed us with small talk. The small family ate at a neighboring table. No guinea pig feast for them. They were true to their word as they only eat the delicacy for special occasions.
In the end, the meat was pretty good! A bit chewy, but well worth the in-cuy-edible experience!
2.
Exploring The Sacred Valley of Peru:
The Sacred Valley of Peru is a place of great cultural and historical significance. The landscape includes rugged mountains over 16,000 feet, lush valleys, and winding rivers.
The Quechua people still speak the same language as the Inca and have lived in the region for centuries. Their colorful clothing, handwoven textiles, and intricate crafts are a testament to their rich cultural heritage.
As is often the case, one of our highlights came from connecting with and learning from a local.
While checking out some ruins in Ollantaytambo, we crossed paths with Jorgensøn. If you’re thinking. “that doesn’t sound Peruvian,” you’d be correct. He’s originally from Denmark, and embraced the culture after marrying a local. He approached us as he was playing with his three-year-old son. After meeting, we all walked together for thirty minutes or so as he described his unique perspective of sacred valley.
He explained several of their friends and community members couldn’t afford to live there anymore due to the pandemic. Ultimately, many natives were forced to moved away. Several small businesses, restaurants, and cultural centers shut down.
We connected over our common interests in global unity and anthropology. He shared his plans to create opportunities for the village with a focus on cultural centers. It was inspiring to hear him talk about the way he and the people have adapted over the last few challenging years.
We parted ways happy to have made a new friend. We also feeling encouraged that the shaken community will bounce back.
Thanks for tuning in to 2-2-2 Tuesday!
If you have any feedback, comments, or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Have a wonderful week!
– Zack and Farah
