Things That Make Peru Unique!!

For the last twenty-one months I have been able to see and experience a lot of things here in Peru that seem to make Peru unique in its own little way. I guess you could call this Elder Schofield’s top 10 list of Peru:
1. Baños Publicos (Public Bathrooms)
One of the things that might seem different about Peru is that Public Bathrooms are just that, any place in public. It is a daily sight seeing people doing their business in the street, parks, and even on the side of houses. There seems to be no bit of shame, but it’s all good. You quickly learn to not walk along the side of buildings, street posts, or anything else that could be uses as a target.
2. El Limon (The Lemmon)
The Lemmon here in Peru has a very powerful curing power, or at least that is what’s believed by Peruvians. I’m going to explain just a few of the curing powers of Lemons: If you have a cold you have to put an entire lime on a necklace and wear it around your neck for three days, If you have an ear ache squeeze a bit of juice in your ear and you are good to go, If you are having problems with your eyes squeeze a bit of juice and you should be as good as new, If you have a minor cut rub two limes on the scrape two times a day for a week. My personal favorite is the necklace procedure. The Lemmon is used in anything and everything. Gotta Love it! Maybe a lemmon could help dad feel a bit better, lol.
3. Moto-Kars
The main form of transportation in the jungle and is also used here in Lima. It’s said to be a Peruvian invention which is a motorcycle cut in half and on the back side is placed a bench which usually sits two but sometimes you can squeeze in three. The usually have a 125cc motor which is never enough and it always sounds like it is going to explode. Here in Lima some have an entire stereo system put in them which ends up making them look just that much more ridiculous.
4. Cuy (Guinea Pig)
A main source of food and is very delicious when deep fat fried. They might be pets back home but I think the Peruvians have put them to much better use.
5. Tienditas (Small Stores)
If all else fails in your attempt to make ends meets, its time to start up a little store in your house. It usually includes cookies, chips, pop, eggs, and vegetable oil. It turns out that your can find one of these little stores in about 1 for every 3 houses. They area everywhere!
6. Los Combis (The Bus System)
Back home riding bulls or bunny bopping is a rush, but here you can get the same thrill from riding in the bus system. A Combi has a driver and a collector which is constantly yelling and gathering money and trying to pack the maximum amount of people in his bus. The bus driver is constantly going as fast as he can to the next bus stop to take full advantage and to also beat the other busses. It’s a giant death trap if you ask me but it is one of the adventures I enjoy the most.
7. Arroz (Rice)
Your plate isn’t complete without it. It’s just that simple!
8. El Perro Peruano (The Peruvian Dog)
Its a bald, Black dog which earns the prize of the ugliest dog on earth. I don’t find them very cuddly but the people seem to love them. If you have allergies from pets, I would suggest looking into getting one of these guys.
9. La Hora Peruana
In order to get people to show up on time you have to announce the time thirty minutes early. If you are thirty minutes late you are on time. If you actually show up on time you get stuck waiting thirty minutes until everyone else shows up “on time”.
10. Las Cosas Piratas (Pirated Things)
When it comes to movies, computer programs, clothes, and music; everything is faked or pirated. It is hard to find things that hasn’t been pirated or faked in some way or another.
It’s just a few of the things that make me smile and makes Peru unique.