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I often walk around my neighborhood in Barranco. It is quiet with little traffic. What I find, even in this quiet neighborhood, though, is abundant opportunities to snack.

Stationed at many corners are small carts filled with goodies to munch on. For example, just down the street is a girls’ school that is a magnet for peddlers of provisions of all sorts. Two are stationed permanently on the corners of the school and others flock to the school when the girls break for lunch or when school ends.

Along with the usual chips, cookies and various small candies, you also find peanuts, candied , salted or mixed with raisins, and a type of puffed wheat. At these little stands prices generally range from 20 centavos (more or less three cents US) to one sol (approximately 30 cents US). For example, at my favorite stop for popcorn I can get a small bag for twenty centavos.

There are some items that are more unusual, at least to me. One is lima beans ( habas) that are fried in fat and lightly salted. They are crunchy and have a taste a little like potato chips. Another of my favorites is the coconut cart — offering all sorts of coconut— including sweetened fresh coconut cut in strips and fried—and macaroons , like a cookie, but filled with coconut--- deeelicious.

On another corner near the school you find a lady with all sorts of home-made gnoshes. There are two types of popcorn-sweet and salty- and various forms of chips made from banana, potato , sweet potato and yucca, a popular tuber in Peru somewhat like a potato.

Then we have what I call the meals on wheels. These are ambulant peddlers with various forms of enticing snacks. Included in this category are the ever present ice cream vendors riding around on their bicycles with a cooler box on the front. They have many different types of ice cream bars all of which are pictured on a cardboard poster in the front of the bike. Some even offer cones. When the weather starts to turn cold, however, many of these enterprising individuals switch their offerings to candy and salted snacks. Some also start serving coffee.

On another corner is a lady who specializes in hot drinks. Early in the morning I see many people clustered around her stand enjoying this refreshing start to the day. She offers herb drinks , tea and coffee. She also has sandwiches—usually you will find chicken salad, egg and hamburger served on a hard roll. This is a street breakfast that many enjoy.

Also moving through the neighborhood is the fruit and vegetable cart. The fruits are especially beautiful. They are arranged neatly and polished to a luster so that they are hard to resist. The beauty of the red and green mangoes , cherimoyas, mandarins, apples and bananas among others makes for a very colorful cart. I just love to look at them. Then there is the delight of the succulent tastes that these fruits offer.

The final tempter is the mobile pastry shop. Various forms of baked goods are offered in a glass case mounted on a bicycle. Available are various savory and sweet concoctions. You can even enjoy some cold pizza.

Well, as I walk around the neighborhood, I am exposed to many temptations. Since I am usually accompanied by two large dogs, it is a little difficult to indulge. But…. once in a while… I must confess…. I do have a snack attack… that popcorn looks so good or the coconut macaroons are so tasty. Yum.