I see the link now. It didn’t appear in my Trackbacks as it is an old outdated link. The new one is http://enperublog.com/2008/05/15/cusco-sells-its-soul-to-mcdonalds-kfc-and-starbucks/

I also updated the post above. At the end there are links to blogs who also discussed the subject, including yours.

And yes, I wish more tourists would venture out of the confines of Southern Peru. They’d be amazed by the things they’d discover.

Having said that, I am saddened by some of the changes in Cusco during the last few years, the closing of Ayllu especially, as I’ve many fond memories of that place.

Perhaps a silver lining to the recent over-development of Cusco will be to convince travellers to visit a large portion of Peru. Those of us who love the country know that there are many charming plazas to while away the afternoon in, and many archaeological sites other than Machu Picchu for us to rediscover.

When the first post was written no-one knew quite what restrictions were being placed on the “golden arches” kinda stuff. This second post deals mostly with the Ayllu and the Catholic Church.

To perhaps add a little weight to your comments, encourage debate, and show that the McDonald’s arrival is, like you said, “no big deal”, look at the Cusco plaza that existed in the 1950s (See video here, not far from beginning) and compare it to the one we see now. The charm of the plaza has long since been wiped out by cars, tourism and commercialism, so does a burger joint make any difference?

And as a wise Rachel said on her blog, the plaza was already completely desecrated and vandalised… with the building of Christian churches!

First of all, there are no “golden arches”, the entrance is very low profile (what you see in Stu’s photo is all there is to it), in fact you’ll never know where it is unless you walk right by it.

Then there’s the inside. This is not your classic McDonalds, I actually like what they’ve done with it. You got tours of the Cusco region and the Inca trail printed in tables in a really cool way. The walls are printed also, with explanations of the Inca’s “cosmovision”, and there are ceramic replicas behind glasses. Not bad for an American franchise.

Now, you may not know it but there’s also a Bembos (the peruvian McDonalds, but with good hamburgers) in the Plaza, and I don’t hear anyone complaining about it.

So what’s really the problem with McDonalds being in the Plaza? I don’t think it’s about the food (Bembos also sells hamburgers, and there are a couple of pizza restaurants in the plaza too) or the prices (Bembos is more expensive than McDonalds, and several other restaurants too). Is this a nationality issue? Wouldn’t that be a bit discriminative? You tell me, I don’t know, I may be wrong.

By the way I don’t work at McDonalds, nor am I fan of its hamburgers (only when short of money I would pick it over Bembos). I just wonder what’s all the fuss about it being in the Plaza.

And by the way, I totally support the general public feeling about the Ayllu being closed. Thanks a lot… starbishop.

The story isn’t over yet. Now the archbishop is extending his purge to the blocks behind the cathedral, where the Church owns lots of real estate as well. Two weeks ago we ate in a very affordable restaurant with delicious quinoa soup. The owners told us that they had just been handed a notice that their rent was quadrupling, and so, after 20 years, the restaurant would have to leave.

When are the people of Cusco going to stand up for local businesses?

Archbishop Juan Antonio Ugarte, a member of Lima’s wealthy ruling elite, has signed the deal with Starbucks.

I cant believe some people who claim to be God’s representatives on earth. I am a Christian…..but this is a terrible thing for Cusco.

By the way…….I cant stand Starbucks….or McDonalds. Bad coffee….worse food…..if you can call it that. How about some traditional Ceviche! YAH!!!!

Please tell me who would eat McDonalds while in Peru when the most amazing food in the world is on offer! They could of at least put a Bembos in…….!