A Note About Baking in Peru

Post #2

Things made (food-wise) while in Peru and how they turned out:

Item: yellow cake with chocolate frosting
Result: the cake didn't reallyg rise and the frosting was incredibly sugar-y

Item: banana carrot bread
Result: again, it didn't really rise, but tastes delicious

Item: peanut butter
Result: very good, but a little burnt tasting

In the US, one of my favorite things to make are brownies. When I was studying abroad in Ecuador I tried to make them twice, and both times the turned out terrible (granted I forgot to do the whole high altitude conversions). With the cake and bread attempts here, I think it might have to do with the sugar. The sugar I buy here is the big granule type (kind of like Sugar in the Raw) and a friend told me this may be too heavy for the cake to rise...interesting.

In general, it's just hard to make conversions. Ingredients are different as well as oven-devices. The ovens that do exists here are generally gas powered and cost way to much to use. When I baked the bread and cake, I used an electric portable oven that did not have a temperature setting.

I am going to keep trying to make things until I can figure out some successes. The next thing on the list to make...oatmeal cinnamon raisin pancakes...I can't wait!

2 Posts!

I'm taking full advantage of the free internet use in the hostal in which I'm staying to write 2 posts today! The first is about being here in Lima.

I was actually feeling a little anxious about coming to the "big city", but as soon as I arrived, that anxiety left me. The biggest surprise I felt being here, was the stark contrast to my town and even Pisco (the closest city to my town). I mean, obviously it would be different from my town, but I just couldn't stop comparing at how different it is. My town is about 3 hours away from Lima and yet it feels like a different country. Lima, is by all means, a developed city (well the parts I've seen at least) and I'm sure would be comparable to most other big cities. There's fancy clothes shops, malls, movie theaters, museums, Starbucks, McDonalds, etc.

I was walking around Miraflores (the very touristy part of the city) most of the first day looking for potential hostals for future trips when friends and Ben come to visit. I kept being mesmerized at how pretty houses were, how flat and paved the sidewalks and roads are, the street lights and pedestrian walkways. I should note that the 2007 earthquake was very destructive and I imagine that is much the cause for why Pisco still has a very "torn up" look. When I go to Pisco, I check my mail, check my email, go to the market to buy some fruit, and leave. In contrast, I could just wander around Lima for a couple of days and eat good food and be perfectly content.

I was also surprised at how "accustomed" to my site I am. Like everything in life, you get used to change. I was pretty miserable my first week (few weeks really) in my town just wondering how I was going to live there and what I'd gotten myself into. Now, I like it! I have my routine, I know where things are and most of all, I enjoy the simplicity. Even better, I don't spend money in my site. The first day in Lima I probably spent at least S/. 100 (about $33, but in comparison to maybe spending S/. 20 when I go to Pisco, this is a lot)! One thing I thought was rather ammusing, was how "campo" I am when is comes to appearance. In my town, with the weather being the way it's been, I'm getting used to sweating all day long and it doesn't bother me anymore. Also, I don't wear makeup. As I was walking around sweating through my shirt in posh Miraflores with people in their designer jeans and looking very clean, I felt so dirty (and I had showered that morning!).

I have to admit...I love being in a city. The first day here, I ate shawarma with hummus, got drawn into the coffee-rich aromas froma cafe, and gazed into the store windows. I love the endless possibilites of things to do, the parks, and just the general busyness of a city. At the same time, just like traveling in the US, I look forward to going home and getting back to my routine.

I'll be back to the city in 1 week to travel up north to the beach for "Recennect" (getting together with all 46 people from my training group) and then again to hang out for a few days when my friend Katie and her sister come to visit. This next month is going to be full of traveling which I am both excited about and dreading a little (I hate living out of a suitcase). The time is going by much faster now, but I have an inkling that'll drop off around May. Anyway, things are good and I'm very happy with how everything has been working out recently. Now to just make sure this continues...