| #40 |
I already drink mint, sage, rosemary, lemon balm and pine needle teas but want to mix them with other things like apple peel, elderflower & berries, raspberries, rose petals & hips to make them more exciting. I forget to gather them at the right time though!!
I've been to Machu Picchu, it was on my bucket list, amazing place. That trip to Peru was also the first time I'd tasted quinoa and drunk Chicha - the "beer" made from maize which is first chewed by the Chicha maker whose saliva starts the fermentation! One of the other travellers in the group wanted to experience the real Peru, so I buddied up with him and we took a day off to travel by local bus to a small village on the hunt for a Red Flag. Chicha is made by families and they hang a red flag outside their door when they have chicha that is fermented and ready to drink. We went into the house, not knowing what to expect. There were a couple of rough wooden tables and some chairs, no customers, so we sat down and waited. Out came a little lady wearing all the bright layered clothing that makes them look so cheerful, and we ordered Two chicha. She looked shocked, and went back into her kitchen. She emerged, carrying a tray and 2 pint glasses of a pink liquid with an enormous frothy head, and stood back and watched while we tentatively sipped. From the kitchen came more and more family members, small children, old grannies, all watching us drink as if we were expected to keel over. It was actually quite pleasant. We asked if there was any food available and out came omelettes and hunks of fresh bread. It was lovely. Whether the chicha was strong or it was the altitude, I don't know but I felt quite light headed afterwards, waving and saying Ola to everyone who came out of their house to see these foreigners who had strayed off the beaten track!
When we got back on the bus, local people were giving up their seats for us. Such friendly and helpful people - one of the best holidays I've ever had.
I've been to Machu Picchu, it was on my bucket list, amazing place. That trip to Peru was also the first time I'd tasted quinoa and drunk Chicha - the "beer" made from maize which is first chewed by the Chicha maker whose saliva starts the fermentation! One of the other travellers in the group wanted to experience the real Peru, so I buddied up with him and we took a day off to travel by local bus to a small village on the hunt for a Red Flag. Chicha is made by families and they hang a red flag outside their door when they have chicha that is fermented and ready to drink. We went into the house, not knowing what to expect. There were a couple of rough wooden tables and some chairs, no customers, so we sat down and waited. Out came a little lady wearing all the bright layered clothing that makes them look so cheerful, and we ordered Two chicha. She looked shocked, and went back into her kitchen. She emerged, carrying a tray and 2 pint glasses of a pink liquid with an enormous frothy head, and stood back and watched while we tentatively sipped. From the kitchen came more and more family members, small children, old grannies, all watching us drink as if we were expected to keel over. It was actually quite pleasant. We asked if there was any food available and out came omelettes and hunks of fresh bread. It was lovely. Whether the chicha was strong or it was the altitude, I don't know but I felt quite light headed afterwards, waving and saying Ola to everyone who came out of their house to see these foreigners who had strayed off the beaten track!
When we got back on the bus, local people were giving up their seats for us. Such friendly and helpful people - one of the best holidays I've ever had.
The Moneyless Chicken says:-
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
![[-]](https://gardenandgossip.org/images/zen/collapse.png)