As mentioned, I recently took a trip to Peru, visiting the Amazon area, Cusco, and Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes… follow along as I show you everything I ate on my amazing trip!
I wondered if I could walk in and reel in my own trout – they have restaurants like that in Asia (so I’ve read) – freshest fish dinner ever!
After our terrible meal and good Jello, HBBF and I discussed something that had been on my mind the entire trip. I wanted cuy. He was game (ha) to try it, though BF and HB both were like, no, no way, not even close. We’d looked at restaurants in Cusco, but they all seemed so expensive relative to how much other food was. But finally, HBBF said this was pretty much our last opportunity – or one of them – to try it before we left Peru. Freddy told us this place next to the hot springs was really good, so we climbed – yes, more steps – to this restaurant.
(Side note: I was looking at earrings at the place next to this, and dropped one from the rack. I bent down to pick it up and focused on picking up the small earring before my eyes focused directly to the right of my hand where a GIANT MOTH was sitting. I screamed and jumped back, to BF’s amusement and the proprietor smiled a little as well. FAIL though my handmade earrings were 5sols)
It was empty, and they tried their hardest to convince us to come in. We’d already made up our minds, but whatever. In we trooped and ordered the cuy, roasted.
Peeking into the oven to see what was in there.
A zoom in shot… can’t really see what’s going on. I thought it was cut into pieces.
In the meantime, we had some bread.
Rice and potatoes came as well, though I avoided these.
After what seemed like a very long time, our cuy arrived.
And I proceeded to take lots of pictures from every angle.
Those little ears were crispy deliciousness, I tell you.
And how did it taste?
Well, here’s the requisite shot of me eating my first bite. Not a great picture but it gets the point across.
The verdict: the taste is inoffensive, bland meat with the texture of pork. It’s too much work for too little payoff. The above is my plate at the end; parts of the skin were super crispy and other parts were a bit too chewy to eat. Part of me feels like the enjoyment must be in the eating, the social aspect of sitting around eating cuy; much like eating crabs at home for me, with my family. A lot of people tell me that eating crabs is too much work with too little meat/payoff; but I do it anyway, because it isn’t about eating until you’re full, it’s about sitting around the table with my family and chatting and eating the yummy bits of meat, small as they may be.
I’m glad I tried it, but I don’t see the need to seek it out again. It wasn’t amazing enough for that much work… maybe if I grew up eating it, I’d have fond memories of it that would compel me to eat it more often. The cost is also pretty high relative to the other food available everywhere. I do, however, feel the need to point out that BF actually decided to try a small piece, and didn’t spit it out or otherwise react strongly and negatively. He took a small piece from me and ate it, but agreed that there was nothing particularly special about it and that it was unnecessary to eat again.
an experience that I don’t regret but don’t feel the need to recreate
TT says
i know what i am bringing to the next FBM potluckk.
Lkp says
Wow. Just…wow! That definitely tops my yak burger for most daring protein! What an amazing trip.
Maikenike says
The “reel in your own dinner” option is widely available at trout farms in Estonia. 🙂 And, yes, it is incredibly tasty and fresh.
As to the cuy, then just by looking at the photos I would be inclined to agree with you insomuch as it seems to be a lot of work for not a whole lot of pay-off (meat). I find crabs to be a bit different. They taste like nothing else in this world (and darn tasty at that) whereas if guinea pigs taste like regular pigs, then picking at the bones seems a bit redundant. Cool food adventure none the less and keep up the good work of not being squeamish. 🙂
Passerby says
Wow, how old are you? You need to start working on your skincare asap. Making all those faces you deem as cute will cause wrinkles too. Sunscreen and eye cream will do wonders.
CitySlicker says
Wow, how old are you? You need to start working on your manners. Making snide comments you deem as cute will cause that stick to stay permanently up your ass.
ka says
wow. how rude are you?? ur comment is like going into someone’s home and piss at their table.
T.C. says
I wonder who Passerby is? A jealous chick or some flamboyant fat biatch with yellow fever? Either way, please try to keep your suggestions directly towards the food being blogged.
Mmmmm charred-up guinea pig. It needs green sauce! Hehe.
Passerby says
Lol, you guys are ridiculous! I was just commenting on photos she posted of her face. I don’t hear you guys disagreeing with me, just infantile b*tching about how snarky I am. I’ve read some of her posts, and I think she can handle my comments. I didn’t say she was ugly, but she does need help. And seriously, why would I be jealous or a fat white bitch? How do those things even go together? Lol! You guys make no sense. I was just making an observation. She’s not complaining, only you guys are.
T.C. says
This is a food blog. Who criticizes the person on their looks? And not about the writing and/or the food? Not so ridiculous if you thought about it before flapping your keyboard.
Of course, you have a right to your opinion. As a loyal reader though, it seems your observation is out of place so just saying. Nobody said you were white but can assume on my own that you are jealous or a fat biatch. Well, maybe you work with make-up or skincare products and have solid recommedations. Good for you, Passerbytch. 🙂
Passerby says
Wow, Passerbytch? You are so clever! Um dumbass, in your previous comment you did say I was jealous chick or a fat white bitch with yellow fever. I was asking how those two things are related because I commented on her face. What exactly am I jealous of? What the fuck is there to be jealous of? Darling, feistyfoodie is not the type of girl people are jealous of. And fat? Where did that come from? Aren’t you the one obsessed with food? And the yellow fever comment, that’s real funny considering her boyfriend is white. If you are going to stand up for her, maybe you should try not to alienate the fat white chicks who do read her blog. Btw, I’m Korean, and not fat. I care about my skin, much more so than food. What’s the point of eating great food if you look like a beast? Sorry TC, from your comments you sound busted and you are probably a loser.
T.C. says
Thanks. I’d like to think I’m VERY clever when compared to the likes of you, Passerbytch.
Wow, clearly you can’t read. White (not mentioned in my first comment so you are illiterate and have shamed your Korean family) aren’t the only persons with yellow fever. Only you ass-umed I meant white. Black/Hispanic/etc. can have yellow fever too. It’s all about personal preference. And obviously I meant if you had yellow fever? Not Feisty Foodie. I wouldn’t know that you are Asian. Maybe you only like to f**k with Asians.
And I’m not alienating anyone. I was just curious to know what fkin’ loser would have to comment about another person they don’t know and on a blog about food and not skincare. It didn’t seem like you’re a fan or here about the food, dumb bitch. Why can’t I take wild swings at you? Like either you are lying and VERY fat, hideous, downright stupid, hating for no reason, in love with the writer (yellow fever), OR sincerely wanted to suggest better skincare (if so, your approach is flawed.) We don’t know what your intentions were.
If you can’t appreciate, then dissipate!
Passerby says
Definite loser. You are so fucking corny and lame. Does it take you hours to think these little gems like Passerbytch and the appreciate/dissipate thing? Lol. Hm…If I were to guess what you look like, I would think short and round. Probably a flat nose, bad greasy skin, gross teeth, cheap clothes, etc. I’ve read some of this blog before but never saw the author’s face. Much to my surprise, she was not what I expected. I could not help myself, and sometimes I am too blunt. Don’t tell me you never judge people by their outward appearance. Believe me, I could’ve been a lot meaner. The author of this blog seems to be pretty blunt and mean spirited herself, so what’s the fucking problem? I think you’re the one in love with her. Makes sense, considering you are the loser type guy to pine for a below average looking female. And if you are female and this is what you look up to, you probably never had many friends to begin with. While this has been amusing while I was recuperating from my wisdom tooth being pulled, I’ve had enough. I never talked to losers during my day to day life, I don’t know why I’m starting now. Toodles.
DJ says
Very funny. Would read again.
I do like that you’ve decided you’ll end the back and forth. It takes a big person to admit that they’ve run out of creativity-free, uninformed ad hominem attacks and will just continue to read what’s posted without commenting further.
Really, though, you don’t sound anything like a Korean female. You read like the stereotypical angry-white-male “Internet bully” who’s a social misfit in real life (too). I’m sorry you don’t have a girlfriend/boyfriend right now, but they say there’s someone for everyone, so chin up, Passerby!
(Cue the “I wasn’t going to respond but I HAVE to now to defend the honor of my total-hottie significant other no really” response…)
CitySlicker says
I certainly can’t speak for Yvo, but I’d guess she is giving your mean-spirited opinion all the consideration it deserves. Which is probably why she hasn’t responded to you.
T.C. says
Definite bitch.
Oh yeah, you know me so well, Passerbytch? I’m round and short? HA. Don’t mistaken me for your victims or your plate of mountainous food.
I’m not the one going around saying bloggers have poor skincare or they are below average looking. What type of loser are you if you need to come out here and criticize the writer about her looks? Are you trying to make yourself feel/ look better? You’re doing a commendable job of it.
Again, this is a FOOD BLOG. And you clearly had plenty of time to respond to us!
And I’m sure you talk to yourself all the time – loser talk in itself – with no friends since you feel you need to bluntly call other people ugly (even strangers!) and provide them with unenlightening skincare tips (Leave that to the professionals please.) So have fun being alone!!
DeanLo says
mmmmmmmm. i had two types of rodent in VN but they didn’t look as good as this! my cousin swore by the hamster heads but i was too chicken shit to eat it.
Jay says
We tried cuy in equador and it came out looking like pieces of kfc.
Tasted okay, pretty much the same as rabbit.
Feisty Foodie says
It’s been really interesting watching this unfold while I had no way of responding. I thank my defenders but also want to address Passerby.
Initially, I thought you wanted sincerely to be helpful – I am fully aware my skincare regimen is lacking (wash my face, and occasionally moisturize), but really, I don’t care enough to do anything about it – and just were awkward about trying to get this message across. I was even going to ask you for recommendations because I figure if you’re saying it, you might have an idea of what’s good out there. (BTW, the faces I make are not something I “deem as cute” – I was trying to be funny. Not cute. I guess I FAIL at that, too.)
Going forward from that, you begin to attack me personally, which is where I take issue. Mean spirited? Blunt, yes. But mean spirited? There are also all the comments about my appearance and you say you care about your skin more than you care about food – which is your right to do so, but I clearly don’t. This is not a beauty blog, it is a food blog. I’ve never claimed “I eat so much good food and I’m cute to boot!” – the focus of this blog is the food. It always has been and it always will be. In the past, I’ve refrained from posting pictures of myself because of this, but this time, this trip to Peru, I felt they were pertinent to the post and I thought they added entertainment value. Well, clearly they did, to you, since you derived much pleasure in picking apart my flaws. Sorry if you expected me to be a typical Asian female food blogger who is tiny and eats like a horse and still remains less than 100 lbs. That isn’t me, and it will never be me.
In any case, I continue my no-censorship policy of comment moderation, so you are free to continue saying whatever you’d like, but this really doesn’t seem relevant to the food whatsoever.
Ciao!
CG says
Great Reply.
Goats says
Hey, it’s passerby!
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/4503/ugliestpersonintheworldwu1.jpg
If you deny it Passerby, put up a photo and prove us wrong!
Goats says
Yo! I think she must be one of the chicks in the photo!
http://www.chubbyhubby.net/blog/?p=406
Passerby says
When I first commented, I did not mean to come off that harsh. The faces you were making created and magnified the lines on your face. It was also obvious that sunscreen is not part of your beauty regimen. To be absolutely honest, I was also swollen and in a pissy mood. What set me off was TC. None of his/her comments made sense, and because I did say something critical, I had to be jealous and fat with yellow fever. I defended myself, because I am not jealous or fat, and while I’m not yellow per se, my skin tone is pale with pink undertones, I am Korean. I know people like TC, ugly, nerdy but not smart enough to be anyone great, socially inept, etc. Yet he/she is the one attacking me about my looks. I don’t think so. I did go too far, but I don’t take things lightly, and if pushed, I’ll push back. I’m totally done and don’t have time for this. Sorry for the hurt feelings, and next time I’m drugged up on percs, I’ll keep away from the computer. As a sidenote, sunscreen from dermatologica doesn’t clog pores, la mer decreases the puffy undereye problems, and find a bb cream that works for your skin tone to use as a tinted moisturizer. Making faces creates unwanted lines, so if you don’t want Botox, preserve your face.
T.C. says
Hey Pissybytch, don’t blame this on me or make up poor excuses for your actions. You obviously do not know who I am, insinuate all you want, and comment on people’s looks whether you are drugged up or not. I’m not the one starting troubles. You are the person at fault for starting any nonsense. I just asked my questions. “Who could this loser be and why are they doing this?” so the guessing game began. There’s no being nice or tolerable when it comes to people picking on your friends. Why should I be cordial with lousy human beings like you out there? Never back down to any type of bully. I’m positive you aren’t anybody smart nor great the way you carry yourself and won’t take ownership of your own actions. And how are you are socially adept by going around insulting people and expecting them to let it go? That is not how the world works. If you wouldn’t let comments about you go, then why should you expect your assailed too. DUH, imbecile!!
Goats says
If I looked like Passerby, (see image below)
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/4503/ugliestpersonintheworldwu1.jpg
I would probably be far more angry and bitter! Passerby, I am starting a skin care and dental fund for you. Please reveal your true identity or email it to lexa_zomeg@live.com. It’s a special account I’ve created just for you! Of course, all details will be kept confidential.