I recently got together with a good friend from school (was going to say 'old' but I don't think she'll apreciate that! hehe), we met again after almost 10 years! She invited us (Tommy and Mel) to her family land south of Lima, 131 km from the city, for the weekend.
Since the moment we arrived there, we were treated as family, memories from over a decade came back!
We spent time with her family while making a 'Patasca', a traditional Andes soup made with corn and a sheep's head... I know, not exactly the best picture in your head. We don't eat Patasca, but we stayed there by the fire and the clay pot outside, sitting around, laughing and talking most of the night, watching a clear sky filled with stars.
Making 'Patasca'As we were so many, we decided to book rooms in a near by hostel, very nice and with some surprises, like this guy having fun in the sun...
... or this rare-place-to-be super shy guy!
The next morning we walked around the land looking for grapes, apples, bananas, figs and 'lúcumas', which ended in a HUGE bags that arrived home with us, and will be shared with family and friends, as they are so many!
We tried 'cabrito al palo' (the body of the sheep used for Patasca on a stick and cooked slowly with fire), it was delicious!
'Cabrito al palo'It was an extraordinary experience, different and new, like going back to the basic living, before electric power and gourmet food, away from microwaves and supermarkets, eating fruit directly from the trees and sharing old traditions that are slowly disappearing in favour of 'fast life' convinience.
Over there we saw beautiful birds, butterflies, strange (to us) insects (possible future post), as well as farm animals and cute and tasty 'cuys' that we don't get to see in the city.
Vermilion FlycatcherIt was a great weekend with simple and warm people, with big smiles and hearts, in love with their land and their traditions, and I'm grateful we had the oportunity to spend time with them.
I'll wish for more great weekends, spent with friends and family, with nature and love around! I'll try to escape from the big city every now and then... Anyone said 'chicken run'? ;)
9 comments:
Dear Mel,
Thank you for sharing this experience. The birds are fantastic and the culture very interesting. I love the idea of getting away from the city. The flycatcher is beautiful!
I am looking forward to more adventures with you.
Sherry
Mel,
That was a wonderful and different experience. Glad you had such a nice time. The whole story is very amusing but I just could not get passed:
"soup made with corn and a sheep's head"
You know, I had this mental picture thing going on... :o)
Mary at Mary's View
Lovely bird pictures.
These are all such wonderful photos and I really love seeing your Vermilion Flycatcher! They are a dream bird for sure!
Hi Sherry, Mary, dr. monkey and mon@rch!
It was an amazing experience, even with the unusual food (sorry Mary for the mental pic, but everything gets better later on!), what made the weekend so great was the people and the scenery!
Hi Mel,
What a fun weekend you must have had. I love all the different creatures, colors, textures and tastes that you shared in this post.
Sounds as though a great time was had.
Very nice story, thanks for sharing your experiences and please write more! Please also check my birding blog at: http://highlatitudebirdwatcher.blogspot.com/
Yours, Olli
Hi ruthiej!
It was a great weekend, different and refreshing :)
Mr. BABW! How great to see you around again! (still want to steal your birdcam, hehehe...)
Hello Olli!
Thanks for visiting! It's always fun to meet people from all over :)
I checked your blog, quite nice!
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