PISCO SOUR - National Drink in Peru

Pisco, a brandy traditionally distilled from Quebranta grapes, is a liquor enjoyed in Peru. Pisco is a delicious, distinct brandy, and the essential ingredient for the Pisco Sour.

"The earliest historical reference about the preparation of this grape “aguardiente” in Peru dates back to the beginnings of the 17th century. The well-known Peruvian historian Lorenzo Huertas states that: 'We have found a document from 1613 which refers to the preparation of "aguardiente” (from grape) in Ica. This date may be one of the earliest references to the preparation of Pisco not only in Peru but also in America.' " Peruvians furthermore see Pisco, the drink, as inherently Peruvian because it is based on a word in Quechua meaning "flying bird" and because Pisco was the name of a city in Peru.

February 8 was the day of the Pisco Sour, the Peruvian national drink of exquisite taste. Thousands of Peruvians in different cities celebrated for several days.

Famous brands like Biondi, Huarangal, Ocucaje, Santiago Queirolo and Tacama participated by offering their products.

At the Pisco Bar in Lima, the celebration lasted around the clock for two days. The bar offered 30 types of Pisco drinks.

For more details please contact us.

TODOS SANTOS CUCHUMATAN

Todos Santos Cuchumatán is a mayan village located in the Cuchumatanes mountains, the highest in Central America.

Surrounded by thick and ancient pine tree forests and breathtaking landscapes, plus their strong cultural heritage, this is place that is well worth the visit for tourists interested in ancient cultures that still live strong in the XXI century.

November 1^st is All Saints Day, that is where the town get`s it´s name, and the celebrations are legendary, from horse races to the “Flying Men Pole” and of course, the drinking of cusha and other home-made liquors.

Mayan roots and culture are still so strong today that many activities are scheduled according to the Mayan calendar, and men still use their traditional garments with pride.

If you would like more information about this place, or would like to visit, please contact us.

100th Anniversary of Machu Picchu

The beauty of coexistence between men and nature are exposed as a great lesson in the misty mountains and fresh forest surrounding the ruins of Machu Picchu.  In Cusco centuries of history are hidden between rocks, streets, handicrafts and rituals.  All of them are celebrating now and are inviting the whole world to celebrate with us.

With the 100th anniversary of Hiram Bingham’s discovery of the Inca archeological treasure Machu Picchu approaching, Peru’s Chamber of Tourism is preparing to celebrate in many ways.

Over the last days, preparations for the Centenary of Machu Picchu for the World are getting much vigorous than ever.  

Please contact us for more details.

GUATEMALAN TREATS: PEPIAN

In traditional Guatemalan weddings, in Mayan families specially, the one thing you will have for sure, after the bride and groom, is the delicious spicy Pepian.

This is a kind of stew made out of several spices such as round and black pepper, cinnamon, dried and sweet chiles, cilantro, sesame seed, etc., boiled in chicken or beef broth and thickened with flour, and served with chicken, pork or beef, and even sometimes with the 3 meats!

You first roast all of the ingredients in a clay pan while you cook the meats, and carrots, green squash and potatoes.   Then, reserving the meats and vegetables, the spices are thrown into the broth and this is thickened with darkened flour until a heavy soup point is reached.

People that love hot spicy food like to add jalapeños or other hot chiles.

This is served with rice and eaten with the traditional corn tortillas.

If you would like more information about this, please contact us.

GUATEMALAN TREATS: TORTILLAS

As many other Latin American countries with roots deep into the past of ancient civilizations that practically built empires after domesticating the corn plant, most Guatemalan`s diet still depends greatly on the corn, specially presented as “tortillas”.

Tortillas are a flat, round piece of corn, boiled with a bit of limestone, and then shaped by “clapping” hands , to finally be cooked to perfection in hot clay pans.

Many indigenous families in the country side still grow their own corn and other vegetables to survive, but rich and poor, indigenous or not, everybody enjoys them all day long, be it for breakfast, snacks, lunch or even dinner.

Once you try them with refried black beans or some white fresh cheese, you will understand why they are our “national pastime”!

Guatemalans normally prefer them to bread with many meals, to eat with a steak, grilled meats, avocado, chicken and of course, the traditional salsas and stews such as the Pepian, Jocon, etc.

Don’t  worry, you don’t have to get in hustle to find them, they will find you!

If you would like more information about the tortillas, please contact us.

There is a theory that pre-Hispanic people cooked fish with a fruit called "tumbo." The Inca's ate salted fish and a chicha-marinated fish dish. The Spanish contributed the Mediterranean custom of using lemons and onions.

Ceviche is seafood prepared in a centuries old method of cooking by contact with the acidic juice of citrus juice instead of heat. The fame of Peruvian food increases every day because of the fresh ceviches, (conchas negras, shellfish or pieces of underdone fish marinated with lemon juice, chili, salt, onions, sweet potato and corn or boiled corn). El Chinguirito, a sort of Ceviche using dry meat, salt and frayed meat of Guitarra fish and seasoned with lemon, pepper, onion and grinded chili, it is another typical dish; as well as the “sudado” (steam fish), where the yellow chili lose its itch and it turns into a generous cream in order to be served with king prawn, the rest of seafood and crabs.

Tiger milk is the juice that stays in the plate after eating the fish. Perfect after a "resaca", the way we call that miserable feeling we have after drinking too much the night before. It is not a misbehavior if you raise the plate with your hands and put it in your mouth to drink it. But you can also put it in a glass, alone or with some vodka or Pisco, if you like. For more information please contact us.

Paul McCartey: "Viva el Peru, Carajo!"

Viva el Peru, carajo

The Peruvian government presented Sir Paul McCartney with three major awards minutes before his Monday night concert at the Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru’s largest football stadium, the first show of the Up & Coming Tour 2011.

 Prime Minister Rosario Fernandez honored the former Beatle with the country's highest accolade, Orden El Sol del Perú (Peru's Order of the Sun).
Paul McCartney made history on Monday night with his first ever show in Peru before 50,000 awestruck fans that traveled from across the country for the momentous occasion.  We will never forget Paul saying: “Viva el Peru, Carajo”
The show saw Paul McCartney on his best form, delivering nearly three hours of the world’s best loved and most known music. 

More concerts held in Lima, Peru

Please contact us

 

COLONIAL CONVENT TURNED INTO 5 STAR HOTEL

When the Dominican Priest Order built this amazing convent and monastery in the Colonial Capital of Central America (Antigua), didn't have a clue of the use that the property is having now, a little over 300 years later.
Today, Casa Santo Domingo is a 5 star hotel inside an amazingly beautiful colonial property, named in the Top 100 Hotels in Latin America by Conde Nast and Wanderlust travel magazines, plus many other top awards for it`s quality and excellent service.
It even has one of the best restaurants in Latin America and a new addition: a small restaurant in the top of a hill with the best view of Antigua and it`s volcanoes, surrounded by a natural ambiance and lots of sculptures and paintings of recognized Guatemalan artists.
Staying here, guests travel to the colonial times, relax and enjoy Antigua at it`s best.
Weddings, conventions and corporate events also talk about the quality and beauty of this place.
If you are interested in staying here or getting more information, please contact us.

Huaca Pucllana Archaeological Complex

The Archaeological Complex "Huaca Pucllana" was an Administrative and Ceremonial Center of the Lima Culture, a society that developed at the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD.

Two important reasons inspired the group of sacred priests, who were the governing rulers at that time.  The first reason was their need to express their religious authority. The second reason was directly linked with the control of the hydrological resources stemmed from the water canal system of the Rimac River.

Huaca Pucllana is located in today's district of Miraflores and is one of the most important ancient monuments in Lima. Located right in the middle of a modern residential area it is resisting the urban growth and reminding the Limeños every day about their archaeological patrimony.

Would you like to volunteer in Lima? Please contact us.

GUATEMALAN TREATS: CHUCHITOS

In a previous entry in this blog, we introduced you to the Guatemalan Tamales, and today, we bring you a delicious smaller “cousin”: Chuchitos.

In Guatemalan slang, “Chucho” is a dog, and “Chuchito” would be a “little dog”, but the name is also given to this snack.

They are also a corn based doe with tomato sauce and a small piece of meat, normally chicken, but with a much drier texture than the tamales, and of course, a different flavor, since the doe is wrapped in dried corn leafs and then boiled.

Their size is smaller than the tamale, and are served with a bit more tomato sauce and crumbs of dried white cheese.

Some people mix leaves of different herbs in the doe, giving them a twist to the palate.

Truly one of the most traditional mid morning or mid afternoon snacks.

If you would like more information about this, please contact us.

Peruvian Art Style

Music within Peru dates back literally thousands of years, preserved by the local community. Music plays a large part of the culture of Peru, where locals build their own instruments. Ancient Peruvian instruments were made from a variety of materials including cane, conch shells, horns, precious metals, and even mud!   Peru Music is a merger of sound and style absorbing on the ancient musical roots of Peru and musical influences of Spain.

Peruvian art is known for it's deep ties throughout Peru's history, well distinguished by it's pre-Hispanic shapes and symbols. This ancient Peruvian art has merged with the art style that was brought across the world by the Spanish conquistadors. The resulting art style is known as naïf, and it gives Peru an interesting diversity with it's local arts and crafts that is like no other.

Please contact us for more information.

GUATEMALA`S CARIBBEAN COAST

Guatemala has been blessed with coasts in 2 large water bodies: the Pacific Ocean in the south and the Caribbean Sea in the north-east.

The coastline is much longer in the Pacific than in the Caribbean, and both are quite special.

In a previous blog, we wrote about Monterrico Beach, a black volcanic sand paradise in the Pacific, and now, we dedicate this space to tell you about Livingston and Rio Dulce, the famous Guatemalan Caribbean.

Livingston is quite special, since was founded by Garifuna people (resulting people of black slaves brought to the Caribbean by Europeans in the XVI and XVII centuries mixed with local natives), and today offers visitors a truly special scene with black natives, mayan natives and even a relatively large population of Indian immigrants.

With a beautiful ash-like beach in town, jungle and rivers around, several white sand beaches reachable by a short boat ride, and guarding the entrance to the Rio Dulce river, Livingston is a place you have to visit.

The Rio Dulce river actually is a natural way to connect the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to Izabal lake, where the colonial warehouses used to be, serving the boats coming back and forth between the colonial Guatemala and Spain.

The boat ride in this beautiful river is an unforgettable experience not to be missed.

For more information about this, please contact us.

GUATEMALAN TREATS: TAMALES

Everyone has seen or even tried the famous Mexican Tamales.  Guatemala, sharing a very similar past, also has excellent Tamales, but are quite different.

Guatemalan tamales are made of pure corn paste, refried tomato sauce and normally a piece of meat that can be chicken or pork.

For special dates, such as Christmas, they also have capers and olives inside, and the sweet "black" tamales invade the tables (made with dried plums sauce).

The corn beads are boiled in plain water or chicken stock, and then grinded to make a moist doe.  The doe is  then manually shaped in some kind of thick bowl, and tomato sauce is poured in with a small piece of the meat.

The doe is shaped to cover the sauce and meat, and wrapped with "chichicaste" leaves first and then with larger banana leaves, in a shape that resembles a pillow.

"Cibaque" (some kind of flexible tree bark) is used to wrap around the small package to hold everything in place.

They are then boiled for hours in big clay pots, traditionally with firewood, and then are left to rest for the doe to get to it`s semi-gelatinous texture.

They are served in plates by first cutting or untying the small rope of Cibaque, and then unfolding the leaves, but the tamale is placed with it`s leaves on the plate.

Most people love them with some fresh lime juice and white bread.

If you come to Guatemala, we strongly recommend trying one!  

If you would like more information about this recipe or meal, please contact us.

SeaKayaking in Lake Titicaca

Peru, Rainbow of Cultures, environments, nature and archaeological bliss.

 I had been in Titicaca Lake several times, but I had never experienced it like this.  I think there is no better way to see the beauty of Titicaca Lake than by sea kayaking.    We started in Llachon, a Quechan rural community located on the southwestern tip of Capachica Peninsula, ony one and a half hour’s drive from Puno and one hour from Juliaca.  We launched then brand new sea kayaks onto the waters, breathed in the musty air and watched waves fold onto the white-sand beaches.  Minutes later we left the shore line and began to paddle across the lake, the lake was absolutely calm and the sky with different shades of red by the sun setting.

I encourage you to get in touch with nature and share the experience with local cultures.  Contact us for more information.

Spanish Colonial Gems

The city, founded in 1535 by Pizarro, features a series of buildings which boast an incalculable architectural and historical value, buildings which fringe the main square, the Plaza Mayor and nearby streets.

Lima's Cathedral, built in 1625 in a Renaissance-Baroque style, with splendid Churriguerra altars, is definitely the first stop on the tour. 

A walk around it’s historic heart is a must for lovers of this type of Architecture.  Lima is plenty of colonial mansions, churches and historic government buildings to explore.   For more information please contact us.

MAYAN ANIMAL MARKET

Did you know that in San Francisco El Alto, a small mayan town in the west highlands puts out one of the most interesting markets every Friday.

Inhabited since pre columbian times by ancient Maya settlers, and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of volcanos, valleys and mountains, San Francisco is truly a place worth visiting, but that is not all:  on Fridays, where hundreds of locals gather in the plaza and it´s nearby streets to sell their week´s produce, there is a special place right behind the colonial church, where all kinds of animals are sold.

Yes, animals!  From live chickens and ducks, to cats, dogs, birds, parrots, cows, pigs, horses, and sometimes, even (now also illegal) monkeys, lizards , turtles, etc.

This is a tradition that has been taking place here for centuries, and today, offers tourists an unforgettable day´s visit.

If you are interested in visiting,  contact us for more information and details.