Leisurely Life In Peru

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30635, 29 December 1964, Page 2

Leisurely Life In Peru

Free from most domestic chores because almost all Peruvian households have servants, a former Christchurch girl who is now married to a Peruvian engineer, Mrs Ernesto Henriod, has found no difficulty in making the most of her leisure time since she went to live in Lima.

Painting, trips with her husband to explore and dig at sites of ancient Inca civilisation, wandering through colourful Indian markets and bargaining for some of the fascinating objects she found there, and learning to speak Spanish, have kept her busy, not to mention learning all she can about her new country’s life, and how to prepare some of its typical dishes. Learning the language had been a must, Mrs Henriod said at her parents’ home in Christchurch yesterday. For though her husband speaks English (the couple met in England), his parents, with whom they live in Lima, do not.

“I can get on not too badly now, I’m at the stage where I can carry on a conversation —so long as it doesn’t get too technical about anything,” she said.

Formerly Miss Jill Rimmer, Mrs Henriod and her husband arrived just before Christmas to begin a two-month visit to New Zealand, the first since their marriage in Lima last year.

Foreign women living in Peru appreciated the domestic situation there, and made perhaps more use of their new-found leisure than the Peruvian women themselves, who took their way of life for granted. Mrs Henriod said.

A woman could be “more of a woman” in Peru; she had time to be. for her life was more leisurely. Very few Peruvian women worked. They had no need to compete with men. “Peruvian women are always very well groomed. They have lots of time.” The supply of domestic help was provided by Indians, who came from the Andean highlands to find work in the towns, Mrs Henroid said. There were definite classes in Peru. In some areas homes were palatial, but in others they were very poor. Peruvian women who had children, had a maid to look after them. If they went visiting and took the children, the maid went too. “But they love their children, and are really dedicated to them,” she said. The family was a very close unit in Peru, much more closely knit than here. It was the accepted thing for young couples to live in the large parental home, though some of the younger generation were now going out and setting up their own homes. ,

A Peruvian wife usually does her own shopping, and though she would have a cook at least part time, she will lay out the food she wishes used and order the meals. These are usually: a Contintental-style breakfast of rolls and coffee, a large meal at mid-day, frequently with five courses, and usually a lighter meal in the evening.

A typical meal might consist of a salad, then a Peruvian dish, such as potatoes in a spicy sauce, then a meat dish, always served with rice, then raw fruit, and finally a dessert, she said. Peruvian cooking was completely different. Oven roasting was unknown. Foods were highly seasoned and a great deal of sweet food was eaten.