An apple a day…
Mayonnaise
One of the most startling sights to see in such a small supermarket.
Heading Northward – Arica and Tacna
Arriving in Arica was a welcome relief to our tired bodies, tired of the travel and hungry for some decent food. So the first thing we did was store our backpacks and head to town for a hearty meal. Arica has some lovely beaches which are very tempting, although we only ever got to see them from a distance. Lunch was our priority.
The beaches of Arica, Chile.
Lunch was a hearty meal in some small restaurant in front of the local train station. Only two trains leave per day so our restaurant was not even remotely busy when we stopped by. A huge plate of rice, meat, salad, and fried potato chips combined with Peru’s unique Inka Cola softdrink went a long way to appease the hunger that we all had. Some icecreams afterwards helped fill up any remaining holes.
Paul salivating over our delicious lunch… after days of bus food.
After lunch we wandered through the city centre and looked around for some tax-free shopping. Iquique is the city with tax-free everything and after looking around we could not find anything that was truly tax-free other than stoves and fridges. Wandering through the back streets we find our way back to the bus terminal, grab our bags and then head off to the other, international terminal, to take a taxi to Peru.
The main mall of Arica, Chile.
Wandering through the streets trying to find our way back to the bus terminal.
Crossing the border to Tacna was without any problems at all. I had expected it to involve a thorough search of our bags and other checks for duty-free items, but since Tacna is also part of the tax-free zone, we only needed to get our passports stamped and were through.
Riding in the taxi on the way from Chile to Peru.
Arriving at the Peruvian border crossing.
Upon reaching Peru, the prices of everything dropped considerably. We were all exhausted so we bought bus tickets for the next day and then found ourselves a $10 soles per night room in a residential setting. Our night involved a wander around the markets and the town centre and then going out for a big meal of wood-fire cooked pizza. It was delicious.
During the night most of the shops were closed.
Eating breakfast the next day at the markets.
The next day we returned to the markets and picked up some very cheap bits and pieces. I grabbed some stuff for computers, while the girls were more focused on the clothes and leg-hair-pullers and stuff like that. It was tough trying to find each other in the labrynth of small shops within the markets, and by the time we all got together again our bus was about to leave. So with packaging and bags flying everywhere, we all jam our newly acquired stuff into our bags and race out to the bus terminal ready to start the next leg of our journey… to Lima.
Paul returning from the markets, very happy with his purchases.
The only part we got to see during the day of the city, because of our rush to catch the bus.
Fiambre Man
Fiambre is the Spanish name for everything to do with sandwiches such as salamis and cheeses. One of the more favoured snacks here in Argentina is salami and cheese on bread and it is one that I too have grown to really enjoy.
The fiambre man and his shop.
I was on my way home when I realised that I had not yet purchased these essential ingredients from the supermarket. Just at that moment I noticed a Fiambreria – or salami and meats shop. This is different from a butcher shop which has raw meat, the Fiambreria carries meats that are ready to eat just as they are: ham, salami, corned meats, etc. They often carry cheeses too.
The owner was not very busy at that moment. His was a new shop that had only recently opened, and clients were not yet aware that he existed. I found him outside in a chair enjoying the warmth of the sun, watching the cars and people pass by. As soon as I approached he got up and welcomed me warmly.
A talkative type of fellow, once we got inside the shop he began to tell me all about the different meats and suggest a number of different ones. Not having any experience in the different types of meat, he also offered free tastings of each type. Before long I had ordered the salami that I needed. The same applied to the cheese.
Somewhere in the conversation he asked me about where I was from. Upon hearing Australia he proceeded to tell me all about one of his friends that now lives in Australia. It constantly amazes me just how many people I have met who have a friend or family living in Australia. This friend had described Australia to him in such a way as to help him feel as though he had actually been there, and he pumped me for more information still.
Not being in any hurry and happy to chat with such a friendly guy, I hung around and told him a little more about Australia and life here in Argentina, comparing the two at times, and showing the similarities and differences. He was delighted, and as I left he came out and waved me off, returning to his chair in the sun.
This photo was taken a little later when I passed by on foot. He was very enthusiastic and happy to have the photo taken, recognising me immediately. It seems that I now have a friend. The only thing is that I never actually caught his name… nor he mine.
So for now I refer to him as, “The Fiambre man.”