Lima: The City of Kings

Lima, the capital, the City of Kings, or Ciudad de los Reyes, lies on a desert strip between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. The capital has a beautiful, well-preserved colonial center and several notable collections of pre-Columbian art. The name Peru is derived from a Quechua word meaning a land of abundance, a reference to the economic wealth produced by the Inca civilization that ruled the region for centuries. Peru has a rich and significantly deep cultural history. I have been deeply impressed.

I was not flying in from a neighboring country; instead, it was an opportunity for me to enjoy an easy nine-hour, 30-minute hop, skip, and jump flight from Dulles International Airport to Jorge Chavez International Airport. I would meet separately with two companies to keep both apart through some diplomacy and a little discretion. After all, how could I have allegiance to more than one company in Lima?

The old downtown Lima, which I found fascinating, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, meaning that one must remember not to "accidentally" bring home a culturally significant memory in one's suitcase. If captured, you will be escorted to Machu Pichu and made to walk the "Stairway of Death" blindfolded. Lima was founded in 1535 by Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro. The Historic Center of Lima, known as the Ciudad de los Reyes (City of Kings), is indeed appropriate.

Lima's historic center has an unmistakably solid Spanish influence and with good reason. The Spanish conquered the region in the 16th century and made Lima its area's capital.? With the arrival of the Spanish came the end of the Inca Empire, the largest pre-Columbian empire in the Americas.? Peru was held under Spanish control until it claimed independence in 1821.? However, it would only fully obtain its independence in 1824—a wonderfully rich and noble history. A word about the local food, which is, hands down, superb. More about this later as I dig into this serious topic with great gusto. There are some notable iconic seafood dishes, such as ceviche and tiradito. Lima is a prime destination for those who love good cuisine and will chase it down, if necessary. Gastronomy, always a fascinating subject, is the result of many influences: African, indigenous, and Chinese (immigrants in the 19th Century), which all coalesce into some remarkable and flavorful dishes.

Business meetings went smoothly, and it's nice to meet and greet their corporate team; putting a face to a name does wonders in helping to smooth out future issues that invariably arise. Communication plays such an essential role in conducting business transnationally. From crafting a letter, whether in English, Spanish, or French, there is an art just as in crafting a letter in English to a customer in Asia. Years ago, I will leave it at that: I was recruiting for an international attorney specializing in European chemical regulations. I was approaching a French firm via a letter written in English. To put it mildly, the firm's partner's response was disagreeable. I kindly replied, this time in French; I got back the most excellent, elegant letter that concluded with an invitation to their offices the next time I was in Brussels or Paris. Customs, procedures, and communication are essential in international work.

One of the distributors I worked with took me on a little tour of the Pacific Coast. It was a beautiful view, and for a moment, I thought I was back in Huntington Beach, toes in the sand and the crashing waves along Southern California's coastline. Surfers dotted the waters, it was a beautiful site to behold! We parked and went to the beach to get a first hand look at the surfing action. The beach differed from the usual sandy beaches I am used to, at least on the Atlantic Ocean side. This beach was rocky and it reminded me of the beaches in Southern France, which are pebbly and uncomfortable to walk on, let alone lie down on.

We stopped at an authentic-styled Peruvian restaurant heavy on the Spanish theme. The menu was exciting and covered the Peruvian classics with many options, from soups to entrees and everything in between. Pisco sours, a traditional drink, were ordered for all, no questions asked. We then charged ahead with some Peruvian appetizers, considered "a must" by my host. An intriguing selection of raw fish garnished with some pickled vegetables appeared. I am no stranger to mystery food, having experienced my share while traveling to countries such as China, Turkey, Vietnam, India, and more. Yes, it can be a gamble, and the following day, you may feel as if something crawled up inside of you and died. At that moment, dying may well seem like the preferable alternative. Believe me! I speak from experience.

On the advice of my culinary counsel, I chose Tacu Tacu a?Lo Pobre, which was quite good. It was a Peruvian country fried steak with a sunny-side-up egg over beans and rice with a sweet and sour tomato sauce, all paired with fried banana. It was a deeply satisfying dish that gave a firm crunch from the steak, with the wonderfully seasoned beans and rice taking center stage.?I was a candidate for a nap after my culinary workout.

On my last day, my suitcase parked by the receptionist was a little heavier than when I arrived. I was taking home a lovely coffee table book on Peru and a bottle of Pisco. I still have one bottle of Pisco from a previous trip, and I am waiting to blend up a batch of Pisco Sours! (The Pisco Sour recipe is found in the Appendix.)

A farewell lunch was held in my honor and included the company's senior team, which was great. Normally, my interactions are with the CEO and his marketing and sales staff, so broadening my exposure to other key members was very welcomed. The location for the luncheon was near the Naval Academy of Peru (Escuela Naval del Perú), and the restaurant, El Mirador, was on the peninsula, with a fantastic view of the beach and the Pacific Ocean.

We had a unique luncheon visitor. Each year, the warm Pacific waters along Peru’s northern coastline are transformed into a?wondrous spectacle of majestic humpback whales performing spectacular leaps. Yours truly was slow on the uptake and only managed a parting shot. ?

After a final round of Pisco Sours, it was fond farewells to one and all; my visit was over. In a short while, I would be on my way home.

On my flight home, I had time to reflect on the immense value of personal interactions with international customers. Face-to-face meetings provide a connection and insight far beyond what can be achieved through phone calls, emails, or other digital communications. While a quick Zoom call or indirect feedback from a sales team can be helpful, they lack the depth and immediacy of a direct visit. Meeting clients in person allows for a thorough exploration of their challenges and preferences, offering a clearer view of how they use your products or services and fostering a stronger bond.

For example, sharing a meal with a customer and their family in Hyderabad, India, or enjoying lunch with a customer in Beirut creates connections that virtual meetings simply can't match. These face-to-face visits provide real-time feedback, enhance customer satisfaction, and build brand loyalty. Most importantly, they make customers feel genuinely valued, and that appreciation translates into substantial rewards.

To illustrate, two of my customers have shared their experiences with me: One from Panama noted, "In seven years of our relationship, Richard has demonstrated a deep understanding of the global market and practical strategies that have led to significant improvements for his international team and positive results in the short term." Another from Costa Rica mentioned, "Richard has been instrumental in our company's growth, helping us build alliances across Latin America. He is a great motivator and visionary who has supported us throughout the years."

These testimonials highlight how meaningful personal interactions can be in nurturing professional relationships and achieving long-term success.

This story is excerpted from my upcoming fourth book, Whispers of the Americas: Tales of Food and Culture Spanning Two Continents, which will be released in Fall 2024.