Ever since Peru has become influential in my life I have often joked that due to various similarities it is “the Scotland of South America”. To back up my claim, this humourous post details my reasons for making this obscure comparison
1. Highlands
Both nations are famed for their highlands – Peru is home to much of the Central Andes, which of course in terms of size and height are far greater than the Scottish Highlands, that said in the context of both countries the “Highlands” are a significant characteristic, showcasing nature at its best. Can you tell which photo below is of the Peruvian highlands and which is of the Scottish highlands?
(Photos: Odizzi / Jack Lazar)
2. Love of pastry pasties
Anywhere you go in Peru you will find Empanadas (pasties usually filled with meat or vegetables), which are loved widely. This is of course the Peruvian answer to the Forfar Bridie (a pasty filled with meat and onions), which is essentially an empanada invented by the pastry-loving Scots.
(Photo: The Herald)
Bridie or Empanada?
3. National fizzy drinks
A key feature of both countries is their pride and affection for their own national fizzy drinks; in Scotland its Irn Bru, in Peru its Inca Kola. As with Irn Bru in Scotland, Inca Kola can be found in nearly every Peruvian home and is an essential for a family dinner. The comparisons don’t end there however, as in both countries their national sodas outsell Coca Cola – this may be so rare that they are the only countries in the world where Coca-Cola plays second fiddle to a home beverage (Bloomberg, 2014). I also think both drinks taste similar, to prove this though you will have to sample them for yourself (if you haven’t already). A final fact about Inca Kola that may aggravate Scots is that it was first bottled and sold by English migrant to Peru Jose R. Lindley in 1910.
(Photo: Coca Cola Company)
4. Southern rivals
Just as Scotland has a history of conflict and rivalry with England that has turned more into a competitive rivalry in modern times, Peru has a comparable relationship with southern neighbours Chile. Just like Scotland’s bloody history with England, Peru has the same with Chile; the lowest point coming in the form of the War of the Pacific from 1879-1883, where Peru lost land to its southern adversaries. Though the countries have peace with dialogue and trade agreements between their governments today, the rivalry between Peru and Chile still exists but mainly in football. The two met in the semi-finals of last year’s Copa America, and to most Peruvians getting a win over Chile would have been more important than winning the tournament itself – this of course is comparable to Scotland’s determination to beat England, maybe the Scots want to beat the English that little bit more though as I don’t remember seeing Peruvian fans taking down the goalposts in Santiago following a victory over Chile.
5. Football – World Cup failure
The final comparison I will make here is football, and specifically the World Cup. This is not about both nations performance in the World Cup however, but rather their inability to even qualify! Scotland haven’t qualified since 1998, and unbelievably worse Peru haven’t qualified since 1982. Sadly this doesn’t look like improving anytime soon with Peru currently sitting in 8th place (out of 10) in South America qualifying after a disappointing start to their campaign, while Scotland will have the tough task of topping England in their group when their bid for Russia 2018 gets underway in September. Ironically for both countries their most successful periods in football came in the 1970’s, and the two even met in the 1978 World Cup with Peru beating Scotland 3-1 – Peru went on to the quarter finals that year, while the Scots crashed out of the first round despite beating eventual finalists Holland 3-2 thanks to Archie Gemmil’s famous wonder-goal .
(Photo: Daily Mail)
So there you have it, Peru is the Scotland of South America – Can you think of anymore similarities of the two countries? Or do you have your own obscure linkage between a Latin American country and another nation on the other side of the planet? Let me know!
(Photo: Crossed Flag Pins)
Savio 