LIMA DAY 3: Pho. In Peru

Saturday, May 14

I started the day by walking over to the Mercadoin Surquillo to visit the Tamale Ladies. On the way, I picked up some Grapes and Aguaymanto at the most photogenic Fruit Stand.

Only one of my Tamale Ladies was there.

It's better that way; no hearts were broken. I picked up some Tamales to go, and I had her make me two Tamale Sandwiches. I had one right away.

Later, back in the Apartment, I had the other. One Tamale makes two Sandwiches. INSIDER TIP: If you go with someone and only want one Sandwich each, still buy two Tamales and Four Sandwiches. Only half of the Tamale has any Meat in it (these were Pork; there's also Chicken), and you don't want to be the one to get no Meat, do you? And besides, one Tamale and two breads add up to a dollar, so live large!

I rested around the apartment most of the afternoon. The one time I went out, I wound up -- somehow -- buying Gelato. Today it was French Chocolate and Mint Chocolate Chip.

Sandra and I were going out to see my friend, Juanni, and his band, so we stopped on the way at Viet. Yes, Viet as in 'Vietnamese'. I wanted to see how Peruvian Pho stacks up.

It was a pretty Vietnamese Restaurant. There's nothing wrong with Pho Hoa (where I go in Florida), but this place is much prettier. And the menu here is smaller, but it basically has the same stuff as back home, including $5 Vietnamese Sandwiches. We started with the Summer Rolls.

Just like back home.

Sandra had Garlic Wings; I had Sriracha Wings and a Bowl of Beef Pho.

The Wings were excellent -- they take care with everything that leaves the kitchen in this country, so that's not surprising. The Beef Pho was, umm, Beef Pho. The Bowl was smaller than what we get back home, but there was plenty. and it was as good as every Pho around.

The one big difference between here and the USA restaurants was the lack of Soup choices. Here at Viet, there was one choice... Pho. There's many more options available at Pho Hoa.

I would return, but only if the rest of the country ran out of Duck and Octopus. And Tamales.

Juanni's show was -- as always -- excellent. And it is cool when he calls out to me from the stage!

That's it for Saturday.