Cusco sells its soul to McDonalds, KFC and Starbucks
May 15, 2008
Photo: Ale Jr
In the coming months ancient Inca architecture may not be all that draws your attention in Cusco’s historic plaza, as a pair of Golden Arches is raised over it.
This very same plaza was the centre of the Inca’s world for hundreds of years before the Spanish arrived and destroyed it. Could this be the end of the colonial plaza in the face of US destruction?
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Buying into the city at a time of all-time highs in property values, McDonald’s, KFC and even Starbucks are planning to open their first locales in the city. No date has been set for their openings yet, but all are three locations are currently being refurbished.
Hopefully local officials have planned ahead and banned any obvious and distruptive signage. Officials and locals in this region are often easily blinded by dollars.
Considering the placement of these businesses, it is clear that locals aren’t the target consumer, it’s the tourists. I’m off the opinion that any tourist found in these establishments should be deported.
For a panarama of the Plaza de Armas, click here.
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This news really disturbs me. I cannot believe Peru is letting this happen. Is there anything indigenas or fellow Peruvian-Americans can do to stop this? Protests? Anything?
My email is cindy.y.rodriguez@gmail.com
First of all, congratulations to the photographers for the great photos of the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. There are remarkable pictures…
About the american franchises that are planned to start business in Cusco I think that is part of the new economic development of the city and the country…but I am almost sure that local govertment of Cusco will not allow any color publicity that may damage or change the beautifull inca-spanish architecture of this magnificient Plaza. If they do so I think most citizens of Cusco and Peru will be there to protest in order to keep our Plaza just as it is…..
IT IS GOOD THEY COME TO INVEST IN CUSCO BUT IN THE PERIMETER OF THE MAIN PLAZA I THINK SHOULDN’T BE, IN THE AV. LA CULTURA WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE THEY INSTALL A RESTAURANTS.
Stuart,
I’m a fellow American also living in Lima, and I’m glad to see that I’m not alone in despising the recent addition of a McDonald’s franchise on the historic Plaza de Armas. I think it’s fine for McD’s to have outlets in Cusco, but it’s an insult to Cusco’s cultural patrimony let the franchise squat right on the Plaza de Armas.
I wrote about this today on my blog. See “Totally Offensive”: http://americaninlima.com/2008/09/24/totally-offensive-mcdonalds-opens-at-cusco-plaza-de-armas/
My big gripe is with the archbishop of Cusco, who controls who rents the spaces by the cathedral. He can command much higher rents from McD’s and Starbucks, so he’s forcing out venerable businesses like the Ayllu Cafe (three doors down from McD’s) and renting the spaces for $10,000 a month to the highest bidders.
Greed.
To Barbara,
(writer of “Totally Offensive”) at:
http://americaninlima.com/2008/09/24/totally-offensive-mcdonalds-opens-at-cusco-plaza-de-armas/
I would like to just commend you for your posting. I am a 43 yr. old American born in New Bedford, MA and raised in White Plains, NY.
I currently live in Palm Bay, FL, blessed with the privilege to serve and care for my 90 yr. old Dad. I came across your blog while searching for the number and address of the McD’s in Cusco. I was doing this for my Dad’s friend who just returned not long ago from there. My mother who has passed away when I was 15, is Peruvian. I myself have been twice to Peru, but unfortunately I was only approx. 6 yrs. at the time. I had never known my mother’s side of my family, since she was the only one here at the time from Peru. Long story short my parents were going thru a ugly divorce at that time and over the years of growing up without my mother I never really had a chance to know of my culture or family. Fortunately God has been quite Gracious in bring my family to me, who found me living in Florida approx. 7 yrs. ago. My responsibilities are to God and my Dad at the moment but I have faith I will someday be Blessed with the opportunity to serve as a missionary in Peru and be united with my family who I keep in touch with now. I praise your care for Peru that is evident in your posting. Perhaps we could get acquainted via email. I attend Calvary Chapel Ministry in Melbourne, FL. and we have two wonderfully Faithful and Blessed missionary families in Peru. Please feel free to check out our website:
http://www.calvaryccm.com/home.aspx
Thank you for your time in allowing me to share.
May the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you and Bless you!
Only by HIS Grace and Mercy,
Michael Jon Baptiste <
MichaelJBaptiste@aol.com
Hi Barbara. I managed to find photos of the new McDonald’s the day after it opened and wanted to do a follow-up post detailing a few more of my feelings. But most search results are coming straight to this page – so it’s probably better for them to read this then head off to the link to your excellent blog for more info.
And the Catholic Church greedy? Cusqueños greedy? News to me!! (Some British sarcasm – I’m not from the US)
I’ve been reading your blog since your first post. Keep it up, it’s very good.
Oh… and how anyone in Peru would want to eat in McDonald’s is beyond me.
Hi, Stuart –
Thanks for the compliments about my blog. So you’re the Stuart who commented about chompas and jerseys! Yes, that British sarcasm is unmistakable.
I’m glad that you are explaining to your readers why allowing McD’s onto the Plaza de Armas cheapens this remarkable historic site. I agree with Efrain that there were other places nearby that would have done as well as a site for the chain but…that’s history now.
Some travelers posting on other sites about this issue have mentioned that they go to McDonald’s when they are abroad because they know they won’t get sick from the food there. People think it’s a safe bet and from the point of view of food poisoning or weird microbes, they’re right.
But I’m thinking that travelers to Peru need to know about more good eating options around the Plaza de Armas. That way, if they read up ahead of time, they will be able to make an informed choice.
Do you have any recommendations for good, inexpensive places to eat on the Plaza de Armas? Any places that serve burgers?
I like Trotamundos for breakfast and lunch, and the Ayllu upstairs for soups and criolla food. But I haven’t eaten at any of the other many restaurants around there.
Hi-
I am coming to Lima w/a group of college students this summer.
Any insight to food, water, safety, shopping, night life?
I love your blog!
-M
Barbara, I’m afraid McDonald’s in Peru has the same hygiene standards as any fast food joint in Peru. A foreigner could just as easily become sick.
I avoided the plaza most of my time in Cusco, I couldn’t afford to eat in many of the restaurants there. How those who can afford the prices pass up all that fancy Nova Andina stuff and go to McDonalds, again, is beyond me.
I can recommend that people check out Moni (www.moni-cusco.com). It’s owned by a very nice British-Peruvian couple and the food was very good.
I am so saddened by this news. My first trip to Peru I was worried about getting sick…..from food. After a few days of easing myself into Peruvian Cuisine…I have to say the pnly time I felt unwell was after eating a Bembos burger in Lima Square. All the food I ate was exceptional. I will certainly not be eating at McDonalds in Cusco…and agree any tourist found there should be deported. Ewwww!
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