My friend, the photographer Gary, came to the restaurant for an escabeche of bonito with its little white rice, hard-boiled egg, boiled potato and ground chili. To drink, he ordered a pitcher of chilled purple chicha. “María, the Christmas parties are over and now the New Year in all the country. People are already preparing and making plans to receive 2023 in full force. The party venues are rubbing their hands because they anticipate spectacular crowds and the sale of rivers of beer and other liquors.
SIGHT: For a better Peru
Other thousands of Peruvians have planned to travel to the provinces or outside of Lima in order to receive the new year away from home. It’s okay, after two years of restrictions due to the pandemic, people are looking to have fun and throw away all the stress of the year. But there will not only be fun in dance halls, salsódromos or discotheques, but also at home and even in the street, such as in Rímac, La Victoria or Callao. Anything goes to dance and meet friends.
However, you have to be very careful. Assaults do not stop registering, especially with an armed hand. And, as always, at parties there are many drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol and cause fatal accidents. Well said the motto: ‘If you drink, don’t drive’. Try not to leave the house and, if you do, take all precautions. For example, hiring mobility in advance to avoid assaults at the hands of racketeers or ‘brands’. And secure the house well for the hours you will be outside. Ask a neighbor to take a look at it.
SIGHT: Chato’s great love
The same for those who have thought of traveling outside of Lima. Secure doors and windows. And, if you have money, hire specialized surveillance that monitors your property with cameras. People at parties are a bit upset. Be very careful, avoid dangerous places and go out late at night. Follow these tips:
- Do not go to places that are far away and that you do not know. If she is a woman, do not go alone. It is better to go in groups to protect each other.
- If you leave the party, do so with everyone who accompanied you. Don’t risk going out alone.
- Take in moderation. The idea is to have fun, not get drunk in a few hours and not remember anything the next day.
- If you are a man and you attend large parties, take care of your belongings and do not think that this is the United States, where you meet someone at a party and you are immediately intimate. That does not happen in Peru. They sure are peppers.
- If you go to a party in your car, don’t drink. Just dance. The combination of tiredness, sleep and alcohol is fatal on New Years. If you want to do all that, you better take a taxi.” What great advice Gary gives. I’m leaving, take care.
