Trujillo, Peru
Big cities are never quite our things.
We’ve been on the road for 4 months and the number of big cities we can safely say we’ve explored is very few. There were those 3 days we spent in Medellin. The 1 day spent in Quito.
So safe to say that for the 4 months we’ve been traveling in South America we never had the opportunity to enjoy big city stuff. Things such as concerts, museums, and the hustle bustle of a city life.
Things such as shopping malls. Western style shopping malls.
We mentioned before that we’re feeling a little homesick. So, when our Couchsurfing host in Trujillo mention that there’s a mall just 3 blocks away from his place, it didn’t take us long to decide that today… nothing sounds better than spending all day at a shopping mall.
Today we’re playing Americans.
So this is what we did today:
We geeked out on Starbucks free wifi
And wolfed down some cinnamon rolls and non-instant coffee.
Went to lunch at Pizza Hut
Went shopping for clothes
Tired of seeing us in pics wearing the same things? Us too.
Window shopped and looked at what movies are playing
‘Green Lantern’? Eh, no thanks.
Then tonight, I think we might go to KFC for dinner
Oh, wait… we did.
We walked around the biggest supermarket we’ve seen since we left home
And ironically walked out with only half a cantaloupe. Too many options often can be just as bad as too few.
Today no ruins, no colonial downtown, no ceviches.
But there will be plenty of time for that.
Because sometimes, ticking off must-see things and being a good tourist just doesn’t sound like fun. And besides, what better cure for homesickness than to indulge in everything that reminds us of home.
Today’s indulgence should tie us over for another 4 months or so 🙂
Wow, there is a MALL and a STARBUCKS in Trujillo?! I have not been in about 7 years but we are heading down in about 6 months. About 18 years ago I actually spent 5 months in Salaverry, just outside of Trujillo and when I was homesick, which coincided with the biweekly $ sent by my hubby in the US, I would down a snickers and a COKE. Back then, that really was all there was. Peru has changed a lot since then!
[…] in the footsteps of my friends Jack and Jill, I departed Chachapoyas in the mountains of northern Peru for Trujillo further south along the […]
[…] in the footsteps of my friends Jack and Jill, I departed Chachapoyas in the mountains of northern Peru for Trujillo further south along the […]
[…] in the footsteps of my friends Jack and Jill, I departed Chachapoyas in the mountains of northern Peru for Trujillo further south along the […]
Ditto #1. Can't believe they have the Double Down overseas!! I thought that was only for overweight Americans.
Oh no, the Double Down has made it there, too? Ick! Lol.
There's no shame in just spending a day indulging in some of the comforts you left behind at home. At least, not in my opinion! Like you said, it's a great way to ward off that homesickness. Plus, it looks like you guys had fun!
No shame in that! We regularly had to take time "off" of travel. In fact, we watched a movie in Trujillo as well, but at a cinema downtown since we didn't know about the mall!
Remember, it's good to take a break every once in a while, it keeps you sane and appreciative!
We go to the mall in Trujillo more than I'm going to admit…it's like our vacation away from Peru
a Skype call and some good sleep usually seems to be enough to get us over our home sickness…. Too funny, Shawna and I were just discussing how much we would kill for a Starbucks….and that is in Spain, where the coffee isnt so bad!
I think it's not so much the coffee that we miss – it's just the association of home. I mean – Jack doesn't even usually eat KFC when he's in the states. Or Pizza Hut, lol.
Sometimes days like this are exactly what you need. I do much of the same. Laptop movie/tv marathons are also pretty great 🙂
Fast food usually does the trick for me. I usually avoid the stuff at home, but McDonald's gives you that sense of going back to childhood sometimes. Other than that, simple Vietnamese or Mexican food will suffice as well.
Back home we almost never ate fast food – but for some reason we still associate them with 'home'.
first of all, i love that picture of jack with all of his "american" stuff. the sign say it all: listen to the voice of your hunger.
when i'm homesick and traveling, i usually write in the journal, or type it up. it makes me think about my friends and all the things i miss, but in a good way.
When friends and I were homesick during study abroad we would do the same thing – head to the big mall and get a Starbucks (this was before they were all over Santiago). Sometimes the comforts of home are just what you need to gear up for more exploration and adventure.
That's so true… we feel guilty sometimes to indulge in american things when abroad, but it truly does give new burst of excitement in exploring new things.
Hilarious! I think most traveling Americans can relate. We had a not so quite similar experience ourselves. We were only on the road for a week, but it was the fourth of July and we decided to honor our countries traditions:
http://youtu.be/l2xy3JlZZuw
I do exactly what you guys did here… and I also watch episodes of Parks and Recreation and The Office from itunes.
Haaaaa!! We do that too (watching the office) and Star Wars – although just for a local twist we'd watch Star Wars in Spanish.
I love spending time in shopping malls sometimes while I'm travelling…it's the perfect day off. I found Panama City a great place to do it – got to see the last Harry Potter in a fancy cinema!
Are you guys headed south through Peru? I've just arrived in the country but am going fairly quick – will be in Bolivia by the end of the month!
Yes, we're heading south. Will be in Huaraz for at least another 2 weeks so definitely let us know when/if you pass through here 🙂
YEs we're heading south. We're still in HUaraz and will be here for at least another month — eeek! Too bad we didn't get to meet here!
I love all that "comfort" food you ate! I had fun reading this post.
This is a great post. I do get burned out on local cuisine at times. Nothing wrong with drifting towad the familiar from time to time. Loved the photos.
Oh my goodness, I really hope you didn't eat a Double Down!
I have a feeling those things would tie you down for MORE than 4 months!