Holly McCoach/Columnist
For anyone interested in adding South America to their travel plans, a stop in Peru might be a good idea. Extremely friendly locals, ancient ruins and great amounts of musical entertainment make Peru a good fit for any seasoned traveler’s needs.
A true Peruvian herself, Zoila Yovanna Clark, a University alumna who graduated with a doctorate in Spanish, was born and raised in the capital, Lima.
Extremely vibrant when it comes to the subject of her country, Clark emphasized on what to do and what not to do while visiting Peru.
Peruvians are passionate when it comes to their food. A traditional example is ceviche, an entrée usually eaten with corn or sweet potato. Corn, a popular ingredient, is not only much larger than American corn, but it is also available in purple and white.
“The traditional drink is made of purple corn. It is like lemonade because they boil the purple corn, the water becomes purple and they put sugar and lemon in it,” said Clark. This beverage is called chicha and it is available in an alcoholic version that uses maize and white corn.
Color is highly valued in food and fashion in Peru.
“The more colorful [the food], the better,” emphasized Clark. A dish that contains much color is an indication that there is a high presentation of nutrients.
A great restaurant to test the palette of Peruvian dishes is Brisas del Titicaca, located in downtown Lima. As you eat, a spectacular show takes place; it features dances from the Amazon and the Highlands.
Fashion is very similar to American culture, but it lacks neutrals. Color is often played with, perhaps by the influence of the dress of the indigenous people.
Many of them move from the country to city, but still dress in traditional clothing. However, American brands and clothing can still be found throughout the malls for interested tourists.
As for souvenirs, be sure to stop by the artesanales, a place where crafts, clothes and various other souvenirs can be found; all are made by hand. Although more expensive, you will be sure to find various items made of alpaca wool, one of Peru’s main sources of income.
Although there are various vacations spots, most of them can be busy as well as expensive. Beaches are no exception.
“There is a beach called Pucusana in Lima. It is nice because it is not for tourists,” said Clark. Although beaches are free, the popular beaches can be crowded with tourists and are more posh, which means you are more likely to spend more pennies.
Besides the sizes and colors of corn, there are many other differences between Peru and the United States.
Clark related how much Peruvians enjoy music. “In Peru, as soon as you arrive, you hear a lot of music. People are never in silence; there is always music playing.”
Peru’s representation of American fast food places is also very different. At McDonald’s, onions and spices are mixed in with the meat to please the Peruvians. Everyone eats with forks and knives and it is considered a treat to dine at any fast food restaurant due to its extravagance. Even though it is more expensive and donned with elaborate decorations, it is normal since it is a foreign entity.
As for the weather, it is very, very humid; it almost feels like it is raining when you stand outside. Towels found in hotels are usually going to be damp because they can only get so dry in the dryers.
According to Clark, this is common. Packing any type of leather, such as purses or jackets, is not a good idea because they might get ruined.
In downtown Lima, there are two parts to the city: the colonial and the modern.
The colonial area may be more interesting; it has more history and it fully represents what Peru may have been like in past ages.
“The modern part is nice; it looks like Miami,” said Clark.
Colonial or modern, Peru might be the place to meet all of your rest and relaxation needs during your next vacation break.
Explore International is a bi-weekly traveling column where Holly McCoach interviews students and alumni about their native countries. Email her at holly.mccoach@fiusm.com.
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