Is Chifa Peruvian or Chinese?
Chinese
Is Alan Garcia a serious President?
No
Is Peru a credible country?
No
Is ceviche solely the property of Peruvian Gastronomy?
No

Is Pisco purely Peruvian?
No

etc etc.

In Chile We have Lucuma, Pisco, Ceviche. and many other things.

Peruvians need to realize that not everything is Peruvian.

Chilean Pisco Sour Isn't Worth the Trouble
enough said

Peru, the elephant or nuthouse?

If a country could use a good "shrink," Peru may top the list.

If you have ever traveled through South America, chances are that your flight connections may have taken you through the state-of-the-art Lima airport. If you were lucky, you may have been able to visit the beautifully manicured Lima suburb of Miraflores, or the bustling port of Callao. If you're like me, what strikes you is how contemporary this country appears to be.

The Santiago Times reported today (Peru To Protest Chile Arms Purchases, Dressed In White) that thousands of (private citizens) will demonstrate against Chilean military expenditures in the streets of Lima and Tacna.

The last time I checked, the Wars of the Confederation and the Pacific occurred in the 19th century. Briefly, Latin America followed the lead of the American Revolution in the north and took advantage of Napoleon's disruption to Spanish harmonium in Europe. Simón Bolívar (El Libertador and admirer of Thomas Jefferson) is credited with liberating Peru in 1824. Around 1830'ish, Peru conspired with neighboring Bolivia to undermine the economies and sovereignty of both Chile and Argentina. This led to Chile kicking Peru's butt in the War of the Confederation. Not long after that, 1879-'80's, Chile once again handed Peru and Bolivia a decisive defeat in the War of the Pacific. Having forgotten the lessons of the previous encounter of the 1830's and with the loses that Peru (and Bolivia) encountered in the latter conflict, I can understand the benefits of acquiring the memory of an elephant.

Ok, so much for lessons learned. Chile is a sovereign nation and fully capable of defending their right to self-determination. Get over it, Peru. What makes me think that Peru needs a shrink is that their President, Alan Garcia, is exhibiting symptoms of paranoia-schizophrenia over Chilean military expenditures. Does Garcia really believe that Chile intends to invade Peru? The fact that (Peruvian) civil demonstrations over Chilean arms purchases are scheduled in Lima and Tacna warrants concern. Remember, the Battle of Tacna (also known as the Battle of the Halt of the Alliance) consolidated the Chilean domain over the Tarapacá Province. Choosing the border town of Tacna for the demonstrations should (justifiably) be considered provocative to Chile. Either Peru is still fighting 19th century conflicts or acting as pawns to the more liberal socialist forces of the region.

Either explanation of these planned provocations is congruent with Chilean-Peruvian history. Peru has not seemed to have evolved beyond their 16th century role as one of the four Spanish Vice-royalties.

Viva Chile!

Peru is still living in the 19th century and obsessed with the superiority of the Chilean military. Do they think that Chile wants to refight the Wars of the Confederacy or the Pacific? Arica is CHILE, get over it Peru. Chile makes better Pisco Sours. get over it Peru! Huasos rule!

Viva Chile!