El Señor de los Temblores – An Incredible Cusco Festival

Nearly every country in Latin America has a history that includes the convergence of various cultures and religions over the past centuries. Dating back at least 500 years (and in most cases much, much longer) the continent’s landscape witnessed the often complicated combining of cultures throughout its various regions. Although these situations were often complex to say the least, the modern cultural landscape contains a variety of Latin American cultures that is so diverse, that it would be nearly impossible to study all of them within a single lifetime. Numerous modern-day festivals mark the calendar during various times of year, and Peru’s city of Cusco plays host to one of the most interesting – Lord of the Tremors (or “El Señor de Los Temblores”).

As many people know, Cusco’s celebratory calendar contains a list of great celebrations, including All Saints Day, Corpus Christi and Christmas. However, the festival of Lord of the Tremors starts early in the year (goes from late March – early April), and it represents a unique combination of Andean-Christian beliefs. According to the historical recordings surrounding the event, since 1650, Cusco has celebrated the moment when a canvas painting of Christ on the Cross protected the city of Cusco from a major earthquake. According to the story, the canvas prevented the quake from doing too much harm to the city, and since this event took place, the residents have celebrated this holiday to give thanks to Taitacha Temblores, the Lord of the Earthquakes. The festival’s main procession begins at the Cathedral of Cusco and continues through the city’s streets. While the crowd carries the canvas image that represents the canvas that protected the city, others offer a special crimson-colored flower, which was once used as an ancient offering to Andean deities and now represents the blood of Christ. For these reasons, this Peruvian Festival stands as one of the country’s most unique opportunities to witness the combination of Andean-Christian histories and beliefs.

It is a beautiful celebration, and one not to be missed for all those that visit the city of Cusco. The combination of traditions is richly impressive, and this festival promises to etch itself in the memories of all who participate since it is a truly unique experience in one of Peru’s most impressive cities.

Ceviche; Seafood + lots of Lime Juice = Very Awesome

Almost every country in the world is known for a special type of cuisine, and Peru is among the most famous with its gastronomic contribution of ceviche. This delicate, always-fresh delicacy commonly contains fish or shellfish that is marinated in citrus juices with various local vegetables. From its Peruvian origins, ceviche has exploded in popularity and may now be found in almost every corner of the map. However, it goes without saying that if you want to try world’s the original ceviches, book a flight to Lima (or any other city in Peru) and prepare yourself for a truly amazing experience.

It’s still unclear exactly which language gave rise to the name “ceviche”, and theories include origins in Quechua, Spanish and Arabic. Although creating a tasty ceviche is an art that requires at least some practice, the steps for preparing the dish are relatively straightforward for its modern-day preparation. The process begins with cutting the fish into small pieces and then mixing with fresh, sliced vegetables (onion is a common ingredient). Various seasonings can then be added, and salt is one of the most popular due to its ability to strengthen the taste of the dish. After the seasonings, add lime juice and toss the fish and vegetables until the fish becomes “cooked”. Although this isn’t the most well-known way to “cook” seafood, the citric acids pickle the fish and allow it to safely be consumed (plus, it’s delicious). Although ceviche originally marinated for 3 hours before being served in its original recipe, the modern style of preparation allows it to be served immediately after tossing the fish in the lime juice – this will guarantee absolute freshness for everyone that has the pleasure of eating it.

Like most dishes that spread from country to country, the list of ceviche spin-offs has grown to include an incredible number of options. In fact, almost every country in Latin America has its own variation that includes a bit of the local flavor. These different versions commonly include ceviche with various types of fish, shrimp, and different shellfish. So if you’re looking for fresh seafood in Latin America, ceviche is the top recommendation on the menu, and if you’re looking for what are arguably the original ceviche recipes, make sure your itinerary includes a long stop in Peru.