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Peru vs. Ecuador and Colombia, June 2013

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:28:30 +0000

June is a big month for Peruvian soccer, with vital World Cup qualifying games against Ecuador and Colombia.

The Peruvian national team will first play a warm-up friendly match against Panama in Panama City on June 1. The team then returns to Lima for a sure-to-be-heated qualifying game against fierce rivals Ecuador. The match will take place in the Estadio Nacional on June 7. Next up is another vital match against Colombia on June 11. The game will be played in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Peru really needs points to stand any chance of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Two wins would inject some genuine hope back into the campaign, while a win and a draw could potentially be sufficient depending on other results. Anything less is likely to put Peru out of the running.

Head over to the FIFA website for the current South American qualifying table.

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One Direction in Lima, Peru

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:50:06 +0000

One Direction's master plan for total world domination continues apace, with a glut of gigs already confirmed for 2014 -- including a Latin American tour.

The buoyant screams of Peru's female youth can currently be heard echoing off Andean peaks following the official announcement of a gig in Lima. The British boy band will play the Estadio Nacional on April 27, 2014. Tickets will go on sale on June 17, 2013.

This one could sell out quickly, so get in there early if you want to see the cheeky little Londoners strutting their stuff in Peru.

Lima Gig Guide Update

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:15:58 +0000

The list of concerts in Peru during 2013 just keeps on growing. Recent confirmations to play the Peruvian capital include:

The B-52s -- September 28
Ringo Starr -- November 11
Black Sabbath (with Megadeth) -- October?

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Extreme Sports in Peru: Two Videos

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:31:50 +0000

Peru is fertile land for extreme sports fanatics, thanks largely to its three distinct and rugged geographic regions. In recent months, two vertigo-inducing videos have appeared on the UK's The Guardian website (both videos courtesy of Reuters), featuring extreme plunges through the Peruvian sky.

The first video, shot in August 2012, takes place at Gocta Waterfall in northern Peru (located near the town of Chachapoyas and the impressive Kuelap Fortress). In it, Belgian base jumper Cedric Dumont jumps from the top of Gocta, a waterfall ranked among the world's tallest (the exact ranking is subject to much debate).

The second video begins 1.7 miles (2.7 km) above the Nazca Lines in southern Peru. Cedric Dumont (again) and Colombian Jhonathan Florez leap from a light aircraft, both men wearing wingsuits that allow them to reach speeds of up to 118 mph (190 km/h).

Anti-Americanism in Peru?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:04:23 +0000

I wrote a very short article a few months ago about whether Peruvians like Americans. I'm English, so it was obviously written from a non-U.S. perspective, but my take on the matter was that anti-American sentiment doesn't really exist in Peru.

Peruvians are fairly relaxed about nationalities (Chileans and Ecuadorians might disagree...) and, from what I've seen, tourists from the U.S.A. are treated the same as other foreign visitors. In some cases, Peruvians seem to connect more with Americans due to a greater awareness of U.S. culture and, to an extent, geographical ties (they are all Americans, after all).

Yesterday, the indomitable Streets of Lima blog covered the same subject (following on from a ding-dong battle about the use of the term "American") in a post titled "Is There an Anti-American Sentiment in Peru?" Walter Rhein, the American author of said blog, stated his opinion as follows:

"It's been my experience that there is less anti-American sentiment in Peru than there is in America. Going to Peru isn't like going to Europe where you have to apologize for being an American every five minutes (or claim you're from Canada).... The US is respected in Peru, maybe not loved, but definitely respected."

I can't remember any Americans ever apologizing to me back in the U.K. (although some may have been disguised as Canadians), but otherwise I pretty much agree with Mr. Rhein.

And what about you? Have you ever experienced any anti-American sentiment in Peru? Or perhaps exactly the opposite? Feel free to leave a comment below...

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Mistura 2013 Location Announced

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:14:36 +0000

At the end of March, Apega announced that Mistura 2013 would take place from September 6 to September 15. The location, however, was yet to be confirmed.

The event organizers have now revealed that the 2013 event will take place on Lima's seafront Costa Verde in the district of Magdalena. According to the Mistura website, Apega has sealed an agreement that will allow Mistura to use the 1.6-mile (2.5 km) stretch of coastline for the next five years.

As part of the agreement, blocks 29 to 32 of Avenida Brasil will host the Ferias Agropecuarias Mistura (Mistura Agricultural Fairs). The fairs, which will feature small producers from across Peru, will begin on Sunday, May 5.

A Great Guide to Safer Taxis in Lima

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:21:02 +0000

Here's a quick post just to highlight an excellent article written by Diego M. Ortiz for Peru This Week. The article, "More choices for safer taxis in Lima," is a great guide to taxi companies and, more importantly, taxi safety in the Peruvian capital.

According to Ortiz, Taxi Satelital -- a company with nearly 400 satellite-tracked vehicles -- is "one of the most reliable and safe companies in the city." And who knew that Lima had a taxi company that operates for women only? I certainly didn't. But I do now. Good stuff.

Related articles:

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Acurio�s Astrid & Gastón Restaurant Ranked in World�s Top 15

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:07:43 +0000

Gastón, Gastón, Gastón... the man is unstoppable. While his culinary empire continues to expand across the globe, his original Peru-based restaurants maintain their award-winning ways.

The latest award comes from The World's 50 Best Restaurants list, compiled by the 900 expert members of the Diners Club World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy. Acurio's original Astrid & Gastón restaurant in Miraflores, Lima, finished fourteenth in the prestigious list, becoming the year's highest climber (rising from 35th in 2012).

According to The World's 50 Best Restaurants website, Acurio's "Miraflores original remains his signature eatery, epitomizing not just his Peruvian-Mediterranean style but also his own character." The standout dish: Noble robado fish, served in miso sauce with crunchy oysters.

If you're heading to Lima and would like to sample some of Gastón Acurio's Peruvian haute cuisine, head over to Astrid & Gastón on Calle Cantaurias 175, Miraflores.

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Food News From Provecho Peru

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:50:35 +0000

I'm a regular reader of the Provecho Peru blog (www.provechoperu.com), a blog that does an excellent job of "sharing the kitchens, markets and flavors of Peru." Along with tasty recipes (Peruvian and otherwise) and restaurant reviews, Provecho Peru also keeps its readers up-to-date with all the latest news regarding Peruvian food.

If you want to know what's new in the world of Peruvian cuisine, read the latest Peru Food News - Weekly Round Up post. It's packed with info and upcoming events, ranging from a coffee and chocolate fair in Lima (April 24 to May 5) to the Taste of Peru festival in Washington DC (July 7).

And while you're over at Provecho Peru, don't forget to browse through the recipes, including basics such as how to cook quinoa and complete dishes like aji de gallina (a personal favorite).

Related articles:

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Lionel Messi Exhibition Match in Lima, July 2

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:34:43 +0000

Soccer/football/ fútbol fans take note: Lionel Messi and a whole bunch of superstar soccer players are coming to Lima for an exhibition game on July 2.

The "Messi and Friends" mini-tour, proceeds from which will go to the Leo Messi Foundation, begins with a match in Bogota, Colombia, on June 29, followed by the Lima game on July 2 and a final exhibition in Chicago on July 6.

According to Peru21, a large number of current superstars have already been confirmed for the Lima match. Alongside Messi (at least the third greatest soccer player of all time, right?), you can also see the likes of Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano, Antonio Cassano, Sergio Aguero, Pablo Aimar and Robinho (to name just a few). Rumor has it that Didier Drogba might also make an appearance.

The Lima exhibition will take place at the Estadio Nacional. Tickets go on sale today, April 19, through Teleticket stands at Wong and Metro supermarkets; prices range from US$70 to $250.

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