What Jesus ate

The last supper must be the most famous extended family meal ever. Yet very little has been known about what was actually eaten during the feast. My investigative journalism has led me all the way to Peru to unearth several paintings from the17th Century of said event, and finally I can put to rest this question, which has for so long haunted theologians around the world. 

The image at the start of this post is a photo of a poorly printed postcard, since taking photos in situ wasn't allowed. However I peered long and hard at the original and there's no disputing the fact. Centre table, pride of place! (Doris and Dorinda, please turn your furry faces away from the screen at this point).

At the last supper, Jesus ate guinea pig!

Yet though guinea pig, or cuy as it's locally known, is a highly regarded and relatively expensive delicacy, the real king of the hill food-wise has to be roast chicken.

As in so many countries around the world, our feathered friend has clucked his way into the hearts and stomachs of this nation. Kentucky Fried Chicken is having a field day and indeed today I saw the biggest KFC I've ever seen - a huge space, where you could easily fit the gym halls of at least two rural schools. However the local talent is also well represented with Bello Pollo, Rico Pollo and other popular brands flourishing.

Personally, my vote so far for best meal of the road so far goes to Cheviche, a dish of lime/lemon cured "raw" fish or seafood (well obviously not raw, since it's been cured by the acidity of the limes/lemons somewhat like the salt cured salmon back home). Sometimes Cheviche packs a punch, but is ooooh soooo gooood! And if you like to keep things flowing, there's always Leche de tigre (tiger's milk), which is the liquid in which the cheviche has been cured - and a few bits of fish to boot. Nice as a starter.

Other specialities include Tamales, leaf wrapped bundles of "masa", a starchy dough, usually corn based, with chicken or other savoury filling. The dish can be traced back to the ancient Maya people, who prepared them as early as 1200 bC. Tamales are especially popular for Sunday breakfast and have a mild, pleasant and somehow comforting taste. Empenadas are another ubiquitous and inexpensive snack - pastry pockets with chicken, cheese or meat filling. Though sometimes a bit thin on the filling - after- all you get what you paid for.

And though Finns think they're big on ice cream, here things are at a whole new level! All around town, ice cream vendors ride around on bright yellow bicycles with containers full of "helados". The ubiquitous call of these mobile ice cream counters is a horn, which sounds somewhat like the mating call of a randy pheasant.

Today I have been mostly sitting around various coffee shops in the white town of Arequipa and indulging in nourishing and fattening pastries. It doesn't look like I'll be getting rid of the extra kilos from my Christmastime chocolate binge any time soon