The Juice Bar

The juice bar in Huaraz is a favorite old haunt of mine. Years ago, it was just a street side counter, several high chairs and a crowd of people three or four deep blocking the street. Getting a juice was similar to trying to get your order in a busy Dublin pub on a Friday night. Behind the counter there was four or five hard working Peruvians lashing out the juice, a "Surtido" was the juice of choice back then; Papaya, carrott, banana and water. My favorite however was the "especial", similar ingredients but with a raw egg, condensed milk and malt as well as some mystery black syrup poured from a labeless bottle. This would come in a litre jug with a piece of plain vanilla cake called "keke" to soak it up. However, they would blend anything you wanted from the towering crates of fruit stacked behind the counter, that threatened to avalanche pineapple, papaya and bananas ontop of the assembled crowd.
Nowadays there is a small indoor area of plastic chairs and tables, the "especial" is the drink of choice, reflecting the Huaraz citizens new found wealth. The menu also includes chicken sandwiches, tomales and empanades at knock down prices. It´s a hub of activity with loud chat, the girls shouting out orders, old ladies begging, seven or eight blenders on the go not to mention salsa music blaring out of the TV.
Oh, Tess, they make a fine bananna milk too!