President “Lula” not only made a statement that spoke for the people of Brazil (South America’s largest country) after it was announced that Rio de Janeiro would be host to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games; He had also touched upon a sentiment that many Peruvians share.
Taking a look at my Peruvian sister-in-law’s Facebook profile I glanced at the one and only sentence in her Interests section: “Salir del País,” which translates into English as “Leave the country.”
It is a phrase you often see and hear from many Peruvians who feel that their country has little future or success to offer them. The general (albeit misinformed) consensus is that pastures are greener abroad in North America, Europe and Asia.
Lula’s quote brought me back to the thought of Peru’s long standing conflict with Chile stemming from the 19th century War of the Pacific.
The conflict continues today over Pisco (a brandy), wine, desserts, the potato, music, retail chains, energy sources, raw materials and maritime borders.
It is safe for me to argue that: A.) Pisco and the Potato originated in Peru; and B.) Chilean wine is poisonous per the warnings on humurous Peruvian T-shirts.
Needless to say I did not heed the T-shirt’s warning and learned the truth about Chilean wine the hard way.
Sadly it seems that only Peruvians and a few privileged foreigners are aware of Peru’s rich culture, history, gastronomy, eco systems, landscapes, products and resources….Phew! Did I omit anything?!
Unfortunately, Chileans have the one up when it comes to marketing and that is why they can sell their pet rocks in the form of wine, produce and tourism to the international market.
Argentina has its gauchos, glaciers, tango, Evita and Buenos Aires.
Brazil has its supermodels in thongs, festive samba music, the world’s largest carnaval party, and sexy beaches.
Chile has its success thanks to Pinochet and the marketing of Peruvian products falsely labeled as Chilean.
Peru has Llamas, Machu Picchu and the Incas….sure there’s a whole lot more to Peru, but It’s like the Vegas saying – “What happens in Peru, stays in Peru.”
One day Peruvians, like my sister-in-law, will realize that not only is the grass greener right where they are standing, but it is infinitely more diverse, beautiful and richer than any other nation on earth.
As living Criolla legend Eva Ayllon sang:
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