List Topper

Besides Northern Brazil and Bolivia, another country has made it to the top of the best stomach pleasers list of mine for .South America. and I would love to go back, like say NOW, to enjoy even more of this countries wonderful offerings---



Peru


I really feel I have said enough by just saying Peru. The land of abundance. The food there is amazing. Fresh. Flavorful. Bountiful. Unique. Delectable. Giving. And down right satisfying. Peru does not need to import from other countries because it already has everything--the usual and the unique. And what they offer over there is love, warmth, and very good meals. I would urge everyone to go to Peru, but I'd like to see less tourists! ;) Selfish? Maybe...



Here are some of the incredible delights I encountered, indulged in, and loved right away in the beautiful country of Peru:

Inca Kola. Bubble gum/Banana flavor. It's an acquired taste!

Cause you have to eat pizza in different countries.

Cacao beans.

Learning to make chocolate from scratch.

Cacao tea. What a lovely and soothing warm drink. Perfect for a chilly day.

Llama. Chicken. Beef. Sausage. Potato. On a stick. I chose to partake in the llama. Good choice.

Fresh hot salsas of your choosing to spoon onto your meat/potato of choice. Spicy and Spicier. Spicy it is.

Mate de coca. Coca no es cocaina. I had a lovely conversation with someone at the US Border Control about this. That was the first thing that came to her mind when I told her I had just been to Bolivia and Peru.

Sopa de quinoa y ensalada.

Llama steak and French fries.

Liver and Chicken with Rice. Mmmmmm

Fried Sweet dough with Anise. Sweet treat.

Pescado frita y papas fritas.

I got VIP access ~ Kitchen style. She loved me. :)

Come and get it!

Lomo Saltado. Definitely a must when you are in Peru.

Chicha Morada. I make this all the time now!

You really will be making the biggest mistake of your life if you don't indulge in the Peruvian ceviche. By far my favorite thing to have indulged in Peru. More of a Lima thing since it's near the coast. Save it for Lima, not Cusco or other inland regions.

Sampling platter. Never went hungry and my stomach was happy the entire time spent in Peru.

Yes, I ate as much ceviche as I could while there!

Also known for their puddings.

Wandered into the Fish Market. The men at work.

Taking care of the cleaning process.

Master at work. I watched him for a good 5 minutes. Fast, skilled, and perfect time management. Works 7 days a week.

Fish and seafood are an abundance here. If I had a stove and an extra couple of days, you know I would have tried to cook as much as I could with their amazing selection.

Churros. One of my many weaknesses. And the last thing I ate in Peru.


I would go back to Peru in a heartbeat if I could. And after this year, I finally have the courage to get away from my current routine and start something different. What I'll do? I don't know yet but that's life and I'm open to the endless possibilites. The journey awaits...

In the backseat of a car being driven by a cop with a gun. Alexandria, Egypt

Can't wait to write about my adventures in Egypt...

Bolivia's Meat Pie

You need to have this in your life. Salteñas. Bebas. Van Nuys, CA. Or just go to Bolivia. :)

Yes I'm back from my not long enough trip to Egypt and Turkey, but I came back to the sad and terrible news that my friend and twin Barry passed away. Completely shocking and totally unexpected. He was getting better, his infection had gone away, and his reflexes were improving. A sign we thought meant he'd wake up soon.

I went to visit him before my trip and that day was the day when he squeezed his mom's hand; something that started to really give her hope. He squeezed my hand that day too and that feeling is something that can't be explained but it did give me the feeling that he was going to be a-okay and would be waking up on his own time.

It was just something we felt that day that made us truly feel like everything would be fine and he would wake up and make everyone smile again.

Don't want to get into too much details with everything so I'll just say he really had a way of making anyone feel loved, special, happy, and overall feeling like they were a good person. He even was one of the very few friends of mine willing to try weird and random foods with me! Hard to find these days and something that's important to me. He never judged anyone. Never treated anyone different. Not too many people like this in this world right now. He was raised right and ended up a complete gentleman. Can't come close to knowing the number of people/friends/family who are affected by this. This alone says enough of Barry's character and who he was as a human being.

I can go on but it's starting to hit me while I'm writing this so all I'll say is there is no one like Barry.

Time doesn't stop for anyone. You don't know what tomorrow may bring. Start appreciating the people in your life. Please be kind, loving, and be a friend the way you'd like a friend to be to you. Don't put anyone down. Treat anyone bad. Don't lie. Don't talk to someone like they don't have any feelings. Be real. Treat people the way you'd like to be treated. Most people know this but yet they choose to stay the same. I can't stress enough how much love and care you should express towards the people in your lives. Don't take anyone for granted. What I'm feeling now and those who love Barry aren't feelings of happiness. Not fun to lose someone you love and care for. Just keep this in mind as you carry yourself in front of others through this wonderful thing we call life.

Gone Traveling...

Excited to be out of the country again! Will be exploring:

• Egypt - Alexandria thru Cairo

• Turkey - Istanbul

And just added -last minute-

• Lebanon - Beirut - One of Anthony Bourdain's favorite places on Earth! :)

I'll be back as soon as I am able to.

~Reima

Just want to apologize for my long delays and poor excuse of writing on here in a more timely manner but I will be taking my time until life slows down a little bit. I have a very dear friend of mine who makes this world a better and funnier place in a coma for a few weeks now with no particular reason why he is in it in the first place. He is loved by everyone who has walked in his path so it's a very hard time right now for all his family and friends. Trying to send positive thoughts and good vibes his way.

I talked to my dad the other day about people in comas and he was able to make me feel a little better describing his experiences with his past and present patients. He has had multiple patients who were healthy and not so healthy in comas between a couple months to a couple of years who have just woken up out of the blue, talking, and acting normal. Of course each situation is not alike but it helps to continue to have some hope without getting your hopes up. So with patience, miraculous things may happen.

He was also told by his patients that they did in fact hear what was being said to them so if you sadly happen to be in a similar situation, keep talking to them like there is nothing wrong and tell them how much you love them because they can hopefully hear what you are saying. In fact, if you are not going through a situation like this, it doesn't mean you shouldn't do this regularly on a daily basis. Make sure the friends and family in your life know that you care for them because unfortunately things happen and you don't want to live a life full of regrets and mistakes. I've always known this of course but it's important to be reminded sometimes.

And it's important to know that they don't feel trapped or are struggling in a coma. A coma is like a deep sleep. They can hear (hopefully) but cannot feel so they for the most part are relaxed despite circumstances.

I'm glad I had this talk because I'm a realistic person and like to hear the medical point of view but at the same time I am 100% staying positive he will wake up. And hopefully sooner than later! I know he can hear all of my jokes! :)

I also have a cousin who has just returned from the hospital after a horrific accident while riding a horse. She is incredibly lucky to be alive and walking. She has a long way to go towards recovery.

This is another reminder why I don't ride horses and that they terrify me. Not sure if it's a control thing but I'd just like to be able to hold on to something and easily come off in a worst case scenario. One day I'll write about my horse experience or should I say non-horse experience a few years back in Argentina?! Ahaha maybe not! ;) I'll just say I had tears in my eyes and quit while I was ahead. And normally I'm not a quitter. Just afraid to be on a horse and see something scare it for it to have a reaction during a ride. Which was the case for my cousin, unfortunately. They did give me props for at least sitting on it. One day I'll get over this fear. Or maybe not. Can't explain myself sometimes. I don't mind rappelling off mountains though! Oh goodness...Proof that I do have fears like everyone else.

I promise to write as soon as I can about my amazing food journey in the beautiful country of Peru. And thank you for your understanding.