Independence Day

Today, our first full day in Arequipa, is Peru's Independence Day. We were taken to eat in a restaurant called the Traditions of Arequipa

Tradiciones Arequipeñas

Today everyone was encouraged to eat Peruvian food. Here are a couple of plates. The first is ceviche which is a raw fish salad with boiled potato and yam, toasted corn and a bit of salad. Those of you who want to try this can go the the restaurant Machu Picchu in Newburgh and ask for it. People who eat ceviche for the first time are always presently surprised.

ceviche

The second plate is chicharon. Those pieces of bacon are over an inch thick. As well there is some corn (they like their corn kernels big) and a kind of potato that doesn't have a starchy texture called chuño.

chicharon

The food is quite reasonably priced for being one of the most popular restaurants in Arequipa and it being Independence Day. Our share of the meal was $16 including tip.

Here is a picture of ourselves and Ernesto, the head of the department where Andy will be located.
Olga, Andy and Ernesto


All of a sudden then was a lot of commotion when a well-known Peruvian rock star showed up. So many people crowded around him that he went out into the parking lot so people could take photos and the people eating wouldn't be bothered. Standing at his left is Giuliana, a new friend.
Pedro Suarez-Vertiz and our friend Giuliana

We are back in our room and tomorrow we start to look for a place to live.