market day

tuesday is market day.

and market day means cilantro.

and cilantro means peruvian food tonight!

my tuesday market is one of the only places i've found in the huge city of buenos aires that carries this illusive herb, so central to peruvian cuisine. sometimes seven days of anticipation is too much to bare. but once a week, when our neighborhood park comes alive with vendors and music, i make my way to the far end of the plaza and find the sweet little lady that hooks me up.

it's curious how taste is associated to memory. nothing brings back the warmth,comfort and happiness of the six years i spent living in peru like a deliciously prepared plate of seco de res.

so tonight, as i savor my comfort food, i'll think of sweet sarah and rae.
of little isa and B.
of techi (whose recipes i follow)
and soy
and mia
and craig.

i'll remember jesus maria and grau.
lurigancho and paraiso.

i'll smile at the thought of stella marris and my very own peruanita.

and my heart will ache at the distance between me and patty, vero, edith, luis...

maybe that's why tears are salty-
they go good with food.