Estofado de Pollo
One of my favorite things about Peru is the food!! Did you know it was named the top culinary destination in the world? The coast, mountains, and jungle all have their own typical dishes and they are SO GOOD! I have honestly never had a dish I didn’t like here. The food is absolutely amazing! That being said, I thought I’d share the recipe for one of the dishes we love to make at home. It is super easy, full of vegetables, and has TONS of flavor. Here it is: Estofado de Pollo (Chicken Stew) Ingredients: 6 pieces of chicken ½ cup of flour (if fried chicken… Read more >>
Pocket Change has a Different Meaning in Peru
Ever wondered how I get money in Peru? Way out here in the jungle? Do they have banks? Can you use the dollar? What is the Peruvian currency anyway? When I told my mom how it works, I think I made her a little nervous (maybe more like a lot nervous!) and she immediately said, “You’ve got to write about that. People would love to know. That's crazy!”. So here it is – how to exchange money in Peru. Jungle style. First, the Peruvian currency is the nuevo sol (translated new sun), and one U.S. dollar is worth 3.3 soles. Second, there is only one bank here in San Ramon and you cannot make a… Read more >>
Welcome to Rainy Season
There’s no change of the seasons here in the jungle. No leaves changing into beautiful shades of yellow and orange and red as the temperatures cool. No budding of flowers and trees, filling the warming air with the aromas of spring. And definitely no snow. There’s just the rainy season, and the not so rainy season. Now that doesn’t mean that during the rainy season it rains all day, every day. In fact, it doesn’t even rain every day. It comes more in spurts. But when it rains, it pours. Like a good midwestern thunderstorm kind of pour. The ones that force you to drive a little slower cause… Read more >>
Sounds, Scents and Memories
Memories are a strange thing, the way they come and go. Our senses are powerful. And the two are beautifully and intricately intertwined. Sounds and smells can trigger memories that flood our minds with almost life-like detail as they replay in vivid color. Have you ever heard a sound that brought a memory flooding to your mind? Or smelled something that made you remember a moment from your childhood? A sound that reminded you of where you grew up? Maybe they are sounds or scents that you never previously associated with that memory. Possibly even things you didn’t even know you… Read more >>