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  Cusco, Peru
Tuesday, November 6, 2007

After the Inca Trail, we decided to stay in Cusco for a couple reasons.  First, we had been invited out to dinner by a couple friends from the trail.  Second, we were tired and dirty and not quite ready to move yet.  Third and most importantly, we had yet to sample a Peruvian delicacy that was on my to-do list.

Yes my friends, I am speaking of Cuy, the delectable guinea pig.  We have seen a couple rooms where they fatten up these little creatures, such as in the Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa.  I have loved several guinea pigs over the years, but I havenīt eaten any of them.  And it was time. 

It is surprisingly hard to find places that serve up guinea pig.  It seems that only expensive, touristy restaurants serve them up for travellers looking for a strange experience

Yum, yum

.  I almost choked when I saw the price of cuy al horno (roast guinea pig).  I could probably buy 5 or six live guinea pigs for the price.

Donīt worry, our waiter reassured us.  They are killed right upstairs, roasted, and served right to our table.  To emphasize his point he makes a gun with his fingers and shoots himself in the head.  The whole process takes 45 minutes.  We try to hear the squealing sounds upstairs.  The music drowns it out. 

When the waiter brings the plate down and sets it in front of me, I watch Erinīs face for her reaction.

"Itīs wearing a hat!  Itīs wearing a hat!"  And indeed it was.  The waiter stood aside expectantly.  "Go ahead and take your photo," he said with a knowing grin.  "I have to cut it into four pieces before you eat it."  I was already posing with my knife and fork.  Please see photo for details as to the state and dress of the guinea pig.  It was really quite something.

Picture taken, the guinea pig was sliced into four parts and brought back.  "Itīs best if you eat it with your hands," the waiter advise.  "There are lots of little bones."  We were both staring at the little paws.

Considering the price, there really isnīt much meat on the little critter.  It was pretty good though, kind of like lamb but not as tender.  Erin asked for a taste.  I gave her a little paw.  She stared at it for a while.  The delicious chile relleno with beef, served alongside, was much more filling.  But it was worth it.

Travis

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