What Christmas is all about in Peru...

Like the past several years, Inka Sites Adventures organized a Chocolatada for a group of impoverished children just outside of Cusco city for their Sunday School class, contributing a hopeful message and short movie, delicious hot-chocolate and panetón breads and some basic toys for each child. Over 60 children from the community came, excited for the treats and toys!
Peruvian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Here's a recipe that's as close as we could find to the way the Cusqueñeans make it: our Christmas gift to you!
3 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
2-3 cloves
1 oz. square unsweetened chocolate (cocoa)
1 can evaporated milk
1 Tbsp. oatmeal
Sugar to taste
Shred cocoa into the bottom of a heavy pot and bring water, cinnamon and cloves to a boil. Once at boiling point, turn down to minimum heat and add evaporated milk and oatmeal. Stir occasionally for 5 minutes, or until oatmeal is cooked. Don't boil over! Add sugar and milk to taste.