(July 30 – written by Dave)
A short post from Huancayo, Peru. We’ve had a nice rest day here. Yeah, I know, I’d never heard of Huancayo before yesterday either….
Huancayo cathedral
Anyway, to the theme of the day. Back in the day, sometime in the early 1990s, Starbucks opened their first store in Portland, Oregon. Nancy and I used to go there for her study breaks when she was in law school. Back then, Starbucks had a marketing poster that showed all of their drinks (a whole lot fewer than they have now). At the top of the poster was the saying, “Familiarity breeds contentment”. And that’s exactly what today was about for us.
We love travelling and experiencing other cultures. We especially like to try new foods, local coffees and wines. Eating and drinking is a great way to learn about how other people live.
But then there are the other days when you miss home – wherever that is. And you really miss the foods of home. The odds of us getting a proper egg and bacon roll in Peru are low. So today we settled for Starbucks coffee. I know what you’re thinking, we come all the way to the coffee growing capitals of the world and we drink Starbucks. But truth be told, it is really hard to get good coffee here. Peru exports their good coffee and drinks a whole lot of instant. So when we discovered the only Starbucks (in a town of 400,000 people) was right near our hotel, we jumped at the chance.
Nancy, Nancy, where’s the Starbucks?
There it is
And then there was lunch. We ate a Peruvian restaurant but we had “American style” ribs and “Aussie style” chorizo. And it was great also.
American style ribs
Aussie style chorizo
We got Nancy’s bike fixed as well. For the bike geeks out there, her BB needed grease. It shouldn’t as it is a sealed bearing but we greased it up all the same and that fixed the creaking sounds. The mechanic suggested that we get a new BB when we reach Cusco in a few weeks so we’ll see about that.
Zona Xtrema – small but good bike shop in Huancayo
I got my hair cut today as well. Yes, the admin tasks need to be done when you are on an extended trip – it’s not all martinis and beach towels. For the record, I paid 10 Sole for my haircut where the other day Nancy paid 8 Sole for her haircut. To all of our female friends living in Oz, the USA or Europe, when was the last time that you paid less for a haircut than your husband? In case you were wondering, 10 Sole is $3 USD and 8 Sole is $2.40 USD. So, neither of us are complaining.
So tomorrow we leave the relatively large city of Huancayo and head back into the hinterlands of Andean Peru. We’ll not be drinking Starbucks nor having ribs for lunch. More than likely we’ll be on the locals chicken and rice meals for the next couple weeks. We’re not complaining, all we needed was that small taste of home today, so we are content and good to go again. Let the adventures continue.
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Hi Dave, happy birthday to you! Not a big one I assume? Get a birthday cake and celebrate.That’s what I’ll do…
Hope the adventures do continue for you and Nancy. Must be missing things if Starbucks appears as a good option!
Love reading your posts. Adventures indeed, phew!
Cheers
Toby
Thanks Toby – same to you!
Starbucks is pretty good here, in comparison…
Happy Birthday to you tomorrow, David! Enjoy your ride and have a special treat when you stop!
Just getting to do this ride is my treat. And having Nancy do it with me!
I’ll pass along my b-day wishes a day early as well as I’m not good with remembering special days for friends… Hey that lunch looked tasty but a little sparse, did you guys get a second lunch somewhere?
Hey Chris – thanks. Yeah, I’m no good at that either. Thanks for thinking of us! No second lunch but we split a whole chicken for dinner.
Yes…me too…Happy Birthday tomorrow!!! I enjoyed your post today. I’m glad you found a little taste of home. How awesome that the ladies cut was less expensive! Have a fabulous day tomorrow!
Thanks Inge – sent you a note in today’s post, if you can see it…
Happy birthday Dave. I hope the birthday allows treating yourself to fancy accommodations – some place with a hot shower AND a toilet seat. Enjoying your stories. Safe travels to you both.
No such luck Dale – nothing fancy in Izcuchaca, nothing close to fancy. Oh well, it’s the life we choose and that’s more than many can say!
Well Happy Birthday Dave from me ‘n’ Mart too. Now WE understand EXACTLY what you mean about Starbucks etc. we did exactly the same thing on arrival in the metropolis of Sharja in the UAE after weeks in Iran, still remember that feeling but then glad to move on to India for more adventures.
Thanks guys – if anyone gets it, it is you guys for sure. Bring on the occasional Starbucks, with absolutely no shame!
Happy Birthday David.Hope the roads get better and better.. and as i look at the map I wonder if you are going to hit ALL of the states??? You are getting close to the end of Peru… from there where??? We are fighting fires here… scary. so far we are ok but I worry and i have Gracie;s bag packed and mine half way… Sure do miss Floyd.. so far this is the second year for these horrific fires… the world is changing..global warming people say…. whatever that meansHappy riding…good tires and good roads is my wish for you Love AP it is 12:30 am and I am reading..can’t sleep yet///but that means it is your birthday, just starting..
Thanks AP but you’re behind the Aussies who sent birthday wishes when it was the 31st there. I know, it’s confusing! Thanks again.