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

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

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’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.

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.

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.