Comments on: Totally Offensive: McDonald’s Opens at Cusco Plaza de Armas

By: Barb

Barb — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:54:41 +0000

I agree, Elizbeth and Dr. Owenson!

By: Dr. Owenson

Dr. Owenson — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:02:54 +0000

I agree with Smith. Every time I went to Peru and Cusco, my favorite place to go for coffee was the Ayllu. The Bishop does not own anything, Cuzco belongs to the people of Cusco!!

By: Elizbeth - Smith

Elizbeth - Smith — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:55:25 +0000

What kind of authorities does the beautiful city of Cusco have?
They never should let give authorization to Mc Donald’s enterprises to open this restaurant. I don’t like Mc Donals at all . I live in USA , it is the worst chain food ever!!!.
On the other hand it is very sad that the Cafe Ayllu closed. The owners of the house as everybody knows is the Catholic Church, the Bishop does not have an idea how is to lose a job,of course he lives witht all the luxury, he has a warm bed to sleep and plenty of food to eat. he should step ouiside his palace and see firsthand the poor people sleeping on the street, hungry. I am sure that several employees of the Aylly are without job now. Shame on you Bishop!!!!!!

By: Rodrigo

Rodrigo — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:23:14 +0000

While I don’t despise McD’s as most people do, I find it sad to read on your blog that Cafe Ayllu closed. Used to go there years ago and it was great.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:26:26 +0000

Oh stop with the self-righteous wailing over corporate giant McDonalds.

When you have traveled as much as my husband and I, we like having options and let’s face it.. I was tired of the “what am I really eating” guessing game.. sometimes a damned Big Mac just hits the spot.

By: Brett

Brett — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:51:18 +0000

This is an atrocity and deeply offensive to me as someone who loves Cusco. The remedy is to write to the Mayor and council of Cusco, as well as to newspapers in Peru, and demand that the lease not be renewed. Long-term a law to prevent any similar foreign chains moving into the area is needed.

By: Barb

Barb — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:24:54 +0000

Thanks for adding your voice to the comments, Gabriela. It’s good to hear from Peruvians who understand why having MacDonald’s on the Plaza de Armas isn’t a sign of progress, even if the teenagers might think so.

By: Gabriela

Gabriela — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:20:39 +0000

Hello all. I have found out about the Mc D opening in Plaza de Armas last year. As a cusquenian who moved to Canada 8 years ago, I am appauled. I cannot believe such restaurant has been given a privileged spot in Cusco. I can only imagine cusquenians excited to try their food, as I would have probably been with something new and so well known as McDonalds ( you know, you see them in the movies, read about it) But Mc D is most likely one of the worst food chains everywhere else, together with KFC and others. I am offended to see it in our most visited spot in Cusco. I am offended the Catholic church has given them that privilege.

By: Barb

Barb — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:16:49 +0000

An interesting perspective, Sarah, that Peruvians lack “personality” and pride in their heritage. Yes, some do. Others are very pro-Peruvian and resist Americanization.

As Ward (another expat bloggers) has commented, some Peruvians, especially the younger generation, need to be encouraged to value their own culture and not think that “U.S. is better.” My own (American) kid thinks that Bembos has better hamburgers than does MacDonald’s!

By: Sarah Foushee

Sarah Foushee — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:59:09 +0000

Lo que menos me gustó de Peru cuando estuve alli es que los peruanos no tienen personalidad. Sólo aspiran a parecerse a los americanos, creo que se averguenzan de si mismos e intentan incluir en sus vidas algo que sea americano como palabras mezcladas en ingles, lentes de contacto de colores claros ,tintes de pelo rubio.

Qué pena que un pais tan hermoso como Perú esté habitado por gente con tan poco orgullo y personalidad.

Un Macdonald en Cusco es un reflejo de lo que digo. Con la excelente gastronomia que tienen en Perú, no saben darla a a conocer y resulta que ahora el restaurante mas famoso de cusco es un Mac Donalds.

Me quedé de piedra cuando fui a un restaurante y quise comer lo que allí llaman papa amarilla pero resulta que las papas de su restaurantes eran congeladas importadas de los EEUU. Qué triste