Leisurely Afternoon with Friends

We had a great day with friends yesterday. Lea and Archie called to say they were headed in our direction to buy some DVD's at the market. So they came by our place and we went to lunch at our "new favorite huarique" (hole in the wall) where we all enjoyed a good lunch for about 10 soles ($4 US) each. Gene and I shared a "Combo #6, which was a big portion of ceviche and a generous serving of arroz con mariscos (rice with seafood). After lunch we walked a block up the street to the huaca. Strangely enough we've lived here half a year now and had never visited the huaca which is 4 blocks from our apartment. So more on the huaca later, because it is a fascinating place. After our tour of the huaca, we decided that we really deserved ice cream! The 3-block walk to the heladeria (ice cream parlor) took us by one of my favorite little corner markets, which just happens to be next to a building that we once considered buying in. Lea and I stopped by to check it out. The building was nice, quality wood floors and doors, fabulous view of the huaca from the balcony. Nice area near the cupola, the heladeria and everything else. But what I remembered was that we had rejected it originally because of its size. The apartments are truly miniscule - actually made our apartment seem spacious! And by the way, the price was just about the same as the one we bought.
At the end of the next block is the cupola, the beautiful church which is the main landmark of Magdalena del Mar. And then the following block has enough diversity in its architecture to make me realize that I truly do not need to travel elsewhere to find new sources of photography subjects.



And another great day ends at the best heladeria in Lima, just 4 blocks from our apartment.

And besides ...

I have a new fabulous new camera and need some new places to photograph!

This photo was taken through my kitchen window of the newspaper kiosk three blocks down the street!

Where Next?

Of the twelve countries in South America, we have only spent time in two – Perú and Argentina (we have both taken bus trips across the border to Chile to renew our visas – 22 hours each way – but didn't see any of the country, so it doesn't count). Much as I would love to return to the amazing Buenos Aires in Argentina, and much as I am appalled that after 2 ½ years, we have seen nothing of Perú outside of Lima (and little of Lima itself), it is also time, I think, to see some more of the continent. I am only in the beginning of my thought process on this, so I'm just thinking outloud here, but I'm looking at Ecuador or Colombia as our most likely trips sometime soon. Chile, of course, also has much to offer and everyone I know who has been there seems to fall in love with it. So it is high on the list of possibilities for the future also. Venezuela might be interesting these days. I've always wanted to see Uruguay, so if we get that far south at some time in the future, that would clearly involve a return to Argentina also. There are so many places on other continents that float around on the edge of my consciousness (Malaysia, Vietnam, numerous places in western and eastern europe, India … ) that I have to really work to stay focused on this idea of seeing South America, but I am determined to do so. So how about a trip real soon to either Ecuador or Colombia, with another South American country before the year is out. And meanwhile, how about planning the next trip(s) outside the continent, with a plan to do another major trip during 2014 if not before. That's a good framework on which to build a plan. Admittedly though, it's a bit too broad to ensure project completion.

The countries of South America: Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Perú

Huariques!

In conversation last night, I discovered that two of my best friends, one Peruvian and one North American, were not familiar with the word "huarique," or at least not familiar with it in the way I have always heard it and used it. Literally, I think it translates to "hiding place," or more appropriately "hidden away place." It is generally used to refer to little "hole in the wall" restaurants, hidden away places that you might not know about unless a friend told you about them. Or you might "discover" one while walking down the sidewalk, but would probably never find it written up in the restaurant reviews. Of course sometimes they do get written up in the reviews, which often can change their character forever.
On his website for his first restaurant in Europe (in Madrid), famous Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio tells us that a huarique is a place you just discover on your own and that you only tell your close friends about it.

According to Food Tour Perú, a huarique is a place where traditional cooking secrets have been passed down by mothers and grandmothers, a place where you are served by the owner and where the food is simple but flavorful.

But the best definition of the huarique that I have found is this one:  "small and not so fancy places but with a charming atmosphere and most important: tasty food."  

While of course it's now tempting to make a list of my favorite huariques, I'll leave that for another day perhaps. After all, in accordance of the true meaning of the word, I can only reveal them to the closest of friends. But of course the readers of this blog will find them peppered throughout, as we eat our way across the city!

Los Pescadores & Cebicheria Sonia

Sometimes it's fun to run across an article where the writer is voicing your own thoughts. I happened across an article this morning about a fabulous huarique called Cebicheria Sonia. As I was reading it and thinking "We have GOT to go here!"  I realized it sounded familiar. This place on the beach in Chorillos has actually been my favorite place to eat ceviche and other fish since our very first trip to Peru. I love this place. Not all that easy to get to - you really end up needing to take a taxi - it is SO worth it! I have to admit to being a little disappointed to read that, according to this article, Sonia's has been visited by both "the most famous Peruvian chef" (any question who she means?) as well as Anthony Bourdain from the Travel Chanel. Of course both gave Sonia's rave reviews, so I wonder if it will remain my little secret! This is actually the place I tried to take my kids to when they visited. Of course part of the fun of the experience is being chased down by the other huarique owners to try to get you to visit their little places, which are all also good. Unfortunately in the confusion of trying to explain the "system"  to my son and his wife, we ended up getting wisked into one of the other huariques. The food was fabulous, but I was disappointed not to get to introduce them to my all time  favorite place. This is the freshest and most delicious fish in all of Lima in my opinion.

Other Posts about Sonia's:
   Fish on the Beach
   Los Pescadores

New Project

I am clearly going to have to try these

Trip to Florida

I had to make a quick trip to Florida to take care of some business. So as is our usual style, I extended it into 3 weeks - plus an extra week in Costa Rica on the way home! I got to be in Florida for my awesome grandson Austin's birthday as well as for his awesome Dad's birthday. I also got to attend an incredible dance performance of Austin and granddaughter Megan. Besides all of that (!) I got to visit our great friends Emma and Jon, who have also left Costa Rica and now live in Florida. I spent some time with my super friend Gail. In Costa Rica I got to visit and do lunch with my long time friends Goldye and Linda and got to see a bunch of my old friends at the weekly Conversation Group that I used to participate in. In addition to all of that, I spent several days and celebrated my birthday on the Caribbean with fabulous friends Judy and Bob! What a month. And poor Gene got to stay home and take care of more details with the new apartment, like finally getting our plumbing leaks resolved. Pobrecito!  The several postings under this one are photos from my trip. It was busy!

More of My Beautiful Granddaughter

The Food's Always Good!

Mark & Debbie and the kids are all seriously into good food. I always eat well when visiting them - from the freshest and tastiest sushi ever to great hamburgers, it's an ongoing food fest!

Austin's Birthday Party

One of the Highlights of My Trip!

I got to go to my grandson's birthday party - an afternoon with his friends at this awesome place where they did zip lines, rope climbing, rock climbing, trampoline jumping and a bunch of other fun stuff!
Birthday parties are not what they used to be!

I Even Got Invited to a Superbowl Party!

Now if I Could just Remember Who was Playing ...

St Augustine with my Friend Emma

Day in St Augustine with Emma

Special Treat - Lunch with a Long Lost Cousin

Cousin Dave & his Beautiful Wife Maxine

Actually, Dave was never lost - that I know of anyhow. But I had not seen him since our high school days - or maybe junior high school! No particular reason - life is just what happens while you're making other plans. I had never met Maxine, but I have a very fond memory of my mother writing to me in great excitement because Dave had brought Maxine to the house to meet his Aunt Sally. They had just got married and he wanted to show off his bride! We always loved Dave - and my mother immediately loved Maxine, too. And I just thought it was the coolest thing ever that they had come to visit my Mom.

So after all these years, it turns out that while they still live in Maine for half of each year, they spend the other half these days in Florida, not far from where my friends Emma and Jon live! So we were able to meet up for lunch. It was a fabulous visit, I hated to see it end, and wish that we lived closer so that I could get to know them better. Need that little cottage on the lake in Maine!

Visiting with Emma & Jon in Florida!

Lunch at Paris Bistro

Mark's Birthday Dinner

And of Course it's Sushi!

A Day with the Amazing Gail!

An Inspirational Woman

New Years Eve from the Balcony

Housewarming, Christening & Blessing!

Christmas Eve on the Balcony

Larry's Last Adventure

He always seemed to be up for an adventure - and for making new friends. He was communicating actively with us long before we ever met. As soon as he became involved with my good friend Madelle, I became his friend. It really was that simple.
Many people are shocked and saddened today to hear of Larry's unexpected death. He had many friends in many locations. He was our most active commenter on the blog (often anonymously) and often offered facts or insight that was helpful or amusing.
When I received the email from Madelle titled "Larry's Last Adventure," I knew is couldn't be good news. But I thought it was a great way to look at the passing of such a cool and adventurous guy.
Farewell, my friend. I'm glad we got to know you.