Earth Day & Peruvian wrap-up

Happy Earth Day! Go pick up some trash, turn out the lights, and plant something!

So, yeah! I am home. I leave again on Friday, but let’s not talk about that right now.******

I loved Peru. I loved the kindness of the Peruvian people, the energy of Lima, the incredible food, and the experience of a world very different than mine. Turns out, I was able to limp along better in Spanish than I thought, too. Peru is a vast country, with a fascinating history and mix of cultures. I know that my way-too-short stay there was essentially like skipping a stone across the the ocean. But my brief glimpse was lovely.

Let’s roll the tape!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Plaza de Armas at the heart of the city.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Soccer game in a courtyard.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic My awesome ceviche and a glass of my new favorite drink, chicha morada, made from purple corn and spices.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic I even ate a lima bean, even though it’s one of the few foods I hate, because, “when in Lima…”

Image and video hosting by TinyPic At the ruins of the pyramid at Huaca Pucllana, built by a pre-Incan people, the Lima. It is in the middle of Lima and is incredible.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic This guy works in a bookstore in the Miraflores neighborhood – that’s his favorite book.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic They’re reading Joe Hill in Peru!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic And yes, it’s official: Stephanie Meyer has taken over the planet.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic The 8th grade girls bookclub from the school. I ADORE the kids at the Colegio Roosevelt!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Back to the grocery store, called Vivanda, where the yogurt shelf has these goodies.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic And there is half an aisle – a long aisle – devoted to evaporated condensed milk. Peruvian desserts take the concept of “sweet” to a new level.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic I tried tres leches, purple corn pudding, sweet potato doughnuts with syrup, and other things I don’t remember the name of, but this (the one in the middle with the seeds) – cheesecake de maracuya – that’s right; passionfruit cheesecake, was indescribably delicious.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic But the best fusion I’ve ever tasted? Peru + Japan = yumminess. Sushi topped with MANGO!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Which isn’t to say that you can’t find decent junk food, if you’re in the mood. Bembodog!!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Best sign of the trip, found in the duty-free store at the airport.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic So good-bye, Peru. I can’t wait to go back!

****** I am going to Los Angeles! Can you come out and see me this weekend?
LOS ANGELES TIMES FESTIVAL OF BOOKS

12:30 – 1:30pm Young Adult Fiction Panel: β€œProblem Child” Location: Moore 100
Moderator: Jonathan Hunt
Panelists: Laurie Halse Anderson
Suzanne Phillips
Nate Powell
Jacqueline Woodson

2:30 – 3:30 pm Booksigning
Location: Penguin/Whale of a Tale Booth, #816

Hasta luego!

19 Replies to “Earth Day & Peruvian wrap-up”

  1. I just thought you should know that I bought Wintergirls the other day (FINALLY!). I’m a broke college student so this was the earliest I could get my hands on it. lol

    It was amazing. Seriously brilliant. The way you got into her head and described exactly how she felt…it was just amazing. It was an emotional journey but thank you for writing that book. I think that I have a better understanding of what people with an eating disorder go through now. That is so valuable because I need to have understanding and compassion for my future career. Books like this one not only truly touch me, but they help me gain compassion for later on when I finally become a teacher and see girls like the characters in your books.

    Also, your mentions of Neil Gaiman made me smile. Now I need to go buy one of his books that I don’t have yet. lol πŸ™‚

    Why is reading such an expensive hobby!? lol

  2. Chicha morada– that brings back memories. When I was very young one of my best friends was Peruvian. She loved the stuff so much that her family’s nickname for her was Chicha. She had been adopted by American parents when she was a baby, but they always wanted her to appreciate the culture and history of Peru.

  3. Twilight and Chicha and Other Stuff πŸ™‚

    You should’ve seen the movie theaters on the premiere of Twilight here in Lima! The line was never-ending! I suppose it’s true that Twilight has completely taken over everywhere, hahahaha!

    On another note, I’m glad you liked Chicha Morada. Despite being Peruvian, I never really liked it, which sucked because at most kids’ parties that’s the only drink available! -.-

    Quick question, did you get to try Chifa (chinese food) in Lima? It’s completely different than anywhere else and is (in my humble opinion) one of the best in the world! A delicious mix of Chinese and Peruvian food. πŸ™‚

    Glad that you liked being here!!!

    -Maria Jose (student at FDR in Lima)

  4. visit to lima

    thanks for visiting FDR…my three children loved you…it was fun to learn about your PA connections…you are a great story weaver and we all are enjoying your books, even Fever, while in the hospital with my sick daughter…enjoy LA

  5. Re: Twilight and Chicha and Other Stuff πŸ™‚

    Nope, I didn’t get to enjoy chifa this time. I’ll put it on the list for my next visit!

  6. Sushi topped with mango.. that’s something I would like to try!
    Looks like you had a great time in Lima, a friend of mine live is Miraflores and she says it’s really cool there! πŸ˜€

    Have a great time in LA, I wish you could come to Mexico πŸ™‚

  7. I’ll be at the LA Times Fest, too. Maybe I’ll see you around! There’s an informal author thing Friday night. Let me know if you want info.

  8. Very fun travel log post!! When in Lima (it is pronounced with a hard “i” or a soft “i”?_)… LOL

    Thank you for sharing.

    by the way, YOU’RE the one taking over the world. Or YOU can take it together with Stephanie.

    I can’t even remember any Young Adult Lit when I was one. I’m that old.

    Your fan,
    *mm

  9. Welcome back, and glad it went so well.

    I was just reminded of you when watching a documentary on David McCullough (on disc 3 of the “John Adams” series). At one point he walks you out into his backyard to show you his writing shed. Or, as he prefers to call it, “World Headquarters.”

    First you have to walk through a fence, and the rule was that only people shorter than the fence post could go through it when he was working. Meaning his kids could visit him any time they wanted, but all adults had to stay out.

    You can see a photo of it
    http://www.post-gazette.com/books/20011230mccullough1230fnp2.asp“>here. He might have two Pulitzers, but he doesn’t have a window like yours.

  10. I’VE SEEN THOSE IN BRAZIL THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE.
    I THINK IT’S A GREAT IDEA AND A REALLY GOOD EYE-OPENER AND EVEN THOUGH MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SMOKE I’M TOTALLY AGAINST IT. WE SHOULD HAVE THIS IN LIMA BECAUSE PEOPLE HERE SMOKE A LOT. I TRAVEL A LOT AND I’VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY TEENAGERS SMOKE IN MY WHOLE LIFE ELSEWHERE AS THEY DO HERE IN LIMA. IN MY GROUP OF CLOSE FRIENDS WE ARE 6 GIRLS, AND 4 GIRLS SMOKE. SO THAT MAKES…MORE THAN THE HALF!?! It’s annoying and I know it might sound stupid but it makes your hair stink really badly. Whenever i go to parties my hair smells like an ashtray.
    It’s probably one of the best ways to commit suicide…
    And I know it’s an addiction but I think governments should do something other than banning smoking in public places and just be more conscious about how it affects and destroys your life.

    So, my post ended up being really long. I wanted it to be brief but I also wanted to give my opinion about smoking.. πŸ™‚

    p.s.- Hope you really enjoyed your stay here in Lima, the next time you come (-oh yes please come back!) you HAVE to come to San Silvestre School…

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