Exploring San Pedro Market In Cusco, Peru
On our final day in Cusco, we realized we had yet to try an unofficial national specialty of Peru: Cuy.
Cuy, or roasted guinea pig, evokes mixed feelings, particularly given its status as a pet for many. However, acknowledging the uniqueness of this culinary experience, we resolved to taste it before our departure.
After a fulfilling breakfast at our hotel, which stood out for its quality, we were not in a hurry to seek additional food.
Our focus then shifted to a visual exploration of Cusco. We diligently roamed through the city to absorb as many missed sights as possible.
We frequently found ourselves captivated by the charming Llamas and Alpacas we encountered throughout the city.
Eventually, we made our way to San Pedro Market.
San Pedro Market is not primarily oriented toward tourists. Though a few trinkets are found at the entrance, the bulk of the market caters specifically to locals.
This market serves as a hub for locals to access various products, including fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers, and even toads.
Rather than describing the sensory experience of the market, images speak volumes.
After leaving the market, we realized we still hadn’t visited the main cathedral, and we set off to rectify that omission.
Inside, the cathedral’s interior is impressive yet surprisingly dark. While photography is prohibited, the entry fee is modest, making it a worthwhile experience during one’s visit.
After our cathedral visit, we shifted focus to finding a quality restaurant known for serving Cuy. Despite wanting an authentic experience, we were unsure of what qualifies as ‘good’ Cuy.
Upon receiving recommendations from locals, we navigated through several quiet alleys—at times second-guessing our route—until we arrived at a highly recommended restaurant.
As our meal arrived, we felt an unexpected surge of nervousness as it presented in its whole form, retaining its distinctive features.
Despite this, I cautiously took my first bite and thought to myself, “It’s actually not so bad…” before soon erupting in laughter as others tried Cuy.
However, my confidence waned with subsequent bites. The strong resemblance in taste to a guinea pig led me to quickly wash it down with Pisco. Despite my efforts, I concluded that perhaps Cuy was simply not for me.
Although the consensus around the table echoed my thoughts—curiosity satisfied, we made our way back to the hotel, luggage in hand, heading toward the airport and our next destination: London!
Our experience in Peru had been remarkable, and the only regret we harbored was not having sufficient time to explore the Amazon and other alluring regions. Every aspect of our journey resonated with joy and adventure.
This visit to Peru had been a longstanding aspiration—we had indeed planned it over a year prior but faced logistical challenges that shifted our course to South Africa instead. Ultimately, our journey was fulfilling, and we were grateful to have made it happen!
Cusco, Peru, South America.
