10 Days in Peru...Suggestions

[DaddyTorgo]

So I've just found out that I will be going to Peru for 10 days in late june/early july. Paying my own way of course, but I couldn't turn it down.

Obviously we're hiking the Inca Trail for 4 days, but does anyone else have any Peru-suggestions?

[st.cronin]

Bring a weapon. I once spent several months in Lima, and everybody I knew carried a gun. It was like the Wild West or something.

[colt45]

Lived in Peru for a while. It's really not that bad. The American dollar goes far, so you have that going for you. I think that June/July is the rainy season there. And if you're hiking the Inca Trail, you'll be in climas ranging from desert to amazonian to high altitude mountain type stuff. Actually, if you want to PM me, I'd be happy to share the safe taxis to take, best money exchange locations, etc. But if anything, leave room in your luggage to bring back an incredible amount of souviners. The Incan culture is still alive and well and evident in the indigenous population, you can't help yourself in going overboard on the souviners...
Seriously, feel free to let me offer whatever knowlege I can. I've got numberrs to the American Embassy and know all the safe bus companies, etc. And if there's one piece of advice I can offer, it's this: DO NOT arrive at the airport in Lima without knowledge of 1) what taxi company to take (it's more common than not for taxistas to drive tourists to middle of ghettoville, rob them, and leave them stranded...) and I think it's only like $20 to already have a cab scheduled there to pick you up with your name on a placard. Oh, and 2) know what hotel/bus station you're going to. I believe most flights from the US arrive super late at night, so making those plans saves much trouble and anguish once you arrive. The Peruvians see a gringo and they go MAD swarming at ya. It can be very dangerous and intimidating.
Seriously, PM me if I can be of assistance.
Oh - and don't say "Adios". Peruvians say "Ciao."

[DaddyTorgo]

sweet. i definately will PM you. i think we're going with at least one other family, quite possibly more. and that other family is originally peruvian or at least hispanic i know for certain. not going for a while, but I'll definately solicit all manner of information from you before that.

[colt45]

Sounds good. Having someone not obviously gringo with ya will definately help. Oh, and the fluency in Spanish doesn't hurt.
And just something quick in case I forget - In Lima you can pay for most things (reputable cab companies, hotels, restaurants...) with the good old greenback - American $. But most other places, you're gonna have to exchange for the 'nuevo sole'. And don't forget to check the Dept. of State's warnings - martial law is pretty common there, but as long as you know what's up, you're good to go.
Oh, and you might want to look into malaria medicine now. Call your doctor and check with them.
I guess that's the big stuff. I have to admit, I'm pretty jealous. I'd love to go back...

[DaddyTorgo]

what were you doing living there? i'm always interested in jobs that have overseas positions...

[colt45]

Government...

[DaddyTorgo]

bump

I leave on Tuesday @ 11am for 15 days

[tanglewood]

Government...

I know you were probably just working at the US embassy or something, but this comes off rather...... sinister.

[LionsFan10]

So I've just found out that I will be going to Peru for 10 days in late june/early july. Paying my own way of course, but I couldn't turn it down.

Obviously we're hiking the Inca Trail for 4 days, but does anyone else have any Peru-suggestions?

Don't die ;)

[Bee]

I know you were probably just working at the US embassy or something, but this comes off rather...... sinister.

He could go into more detail, but then he'd have to kill you.

[Runtheball]

Let us know how the tittie bars are there.

[dixieflatline]

I highly recommend <a href=http://www.shastahome.com/machu-picchu/guide.html>Machu Picchu</a> which are incan ruins. Best preserved ruins in the americas because they are so far up in the mountains. Several good tour groups running things there. A must see in Peru.

[Young Drachma]

So I've just found out that I will be going to Peru for 10 days in late june/early july. Paying my own way of course, but I couldn't turn it down.

Obviously we're hiking the Inca Trail for 4 days, but does anyone else have any Peru-suggestions?

Avoid getting kidnapped. Sure, you'd have great stories to tell, but that'd be dependant on you making it back.

Have fun.

[Bee]

I highly recommend <a href=http://www.shastahome.com/machu-picchu/guide.html>Machu Picchu</a> which are incan ruins. Best preserved ruins in the americas because they are so far up in the mountains. Several good tour groups running things there. A must see in Peru.

For what it's worth, my wife lived in South America for 5 years and her visit to Machu Picchu is one of her most favorite memories.

[AlexB]

If you're in Peru you have to try and find Paddington Bear's family :D

[rkmsuf]

I used to like conquering Peru and South America in Risk. Only two points to defend and you got like good value for that continent.

I would rule the Peruvians with an iron fist in that game.

[DaddyTorgo]

oh we're doing the 4-day hike to Machu Picchu. and a couple days of sightseeing in lima, and cuzco, and then also going up to Titicaca-ways for a couple days

[Hurst2112]

i would suggest grabbin a big bag of uncut blow but that is too cliche

[AlexB]

i would suggest grabbin a big bag of uncut blow but that is too cliche

To make it less cliched you could grad a big back of blow footballs - that would be different :p

[DaddyTorgo]

it's all about the coca-tea i hear. lookin forward to that!

[moriarty]

Lived in Peru for a while. It's really not that bad ... it's more common than not for taxistas to drive tourists to middle of ghettoville, rob them, and leave them stranded...The Peruvians see a gringo and they go MAD swarming at ya. It can be very dangerous and intimidating.


Uh, yeah. I think I'll settle for taking the kids to the Grand Canyon this year. But thanks.

[rkmsuf]

Uh, yeah. I think I'll settle for taking the kids to the Grand Canyon this year. But thanks.

I like how the overriding goal is to not get imprisoned, robbed or killed.

Is there like a Sandals over there or something.

[DaddyTorgo]

yeah...part of me is kinda wishing for various reasons that i had decided to just stay home and take vacation. much less stressful and hectic

[Mustang]

I usually try to scratch places off my list of vacation hot spots where the first bit of advice includes reading state warnings, malaria shots and worrying about being robbed.

[Klinglerware]

In my experience, the dangers surrounding traveling abroad are somewhat overstated. Naturally, you should be careful and do your research (as DaddyTorgo is doing here)--but you shouldn't let fear preclude you from considering what could be an amazing experience. Remember, bad things can happen to you on vacation in the US too...

[DaddyTorgo]

In my experience, the dangers surrounding traveling abroad are somewhat overstated. Naturally, you should be careful and do your research (as DaddyTorgo is doing here)--but you shouldn't let fear preclude you from considering what could be an amazing experience. Remember, bad things can happen to you on vacation in the US too...

actually my mommy did all the research :cheesy: . yay for traveling with the parents.

[st.cronin]

In my experience, the dangers surrounding traveling abroad are somewhat overstated. Naturally, you should be careful and do your research (as DaddyTorgo is doing here)--but you shouldn't let fear preclude you from considering what could be an amazing experience. Remember, bad things can happen to you on vacation in the US too...

I think ALL dangers are overstated, whether travel-related or not. That said, Peru scared me a LOT when I was there (I was temporarily assigned to the embassy when I was in the service). It rates just slightly above Baghdad in terms of appealing travel locales.

[colt45]

I gave the warning just because some Americans don't necessarily have their guard up - but if you know that it can be hectic, you'll be fine. As far as the government - it was the State Department. I lived in a suburb of Peru and then several small towns. I was only robbed once at gunpoint, and they just commandeered the bus I was on. And they robbed everybody, not just the gringo! =)

[DaddyTorgo]

I gave the warning just because some Americans don't necessarily have their guard up - but if you know that it can be hectic, you'll be fine. As far as the government - it was the State Department. I lived in a suburb of Peru and then several small towns. I was only robbed once at gunpoint, and they just commandeered the bus I was on. And they robbed everybody, not just the gringo! =)

i would have PMed you colt, but mom has been all over the travel arrangements and the staying arrangements, we have #'s of cab companies and bus companies, and great hotels we're staying in everywhere and everything. i think we're totally good-to-go with all that stuff surprisingly.

[colt45]

Excellent! Sounds good. And yeah, everywhere can be dangerous, but if you're just aware, things will be fine. You will fall in love with the culture, the people (they're short!), the ruins, the scenery.. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world! Have a Cusquena beer for me while you're there! Make sure you stop by the markets near Ovolo Gutierrez (near Miraflores) on your way back to the country to buy souvenirs - but negotiate the price! You can get great weavings and pottery and Te Amo Peru shirts!

[DaddyTorgo]

Excellent! Sounds good. And yeah, everywhere can be dangerous, but if you're just aware, things will be fine. You will fall in love with the culture, the people (they're short!), the ruins, the scenery.. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world! Have a Cusquena beer for me while you're there! Make sure you stop by the markets near Ovolo Gutierrez (near Miraflores) on your way back to the country to buy souvenirs - but negotiate the price! You can get great weavings and pottery and Te Amo Peru shirts!

will do! double on the beer :-) hey...you want anything souvenier-wise?

[sterlingice]

I like how the overriding goal is to not get imprisoned, robbed or killed.

You noticed that, too?

SI

[colt45]

Thanks, Daddy. But I got all I needed while I lived there. But definately try to pick yourself up some of the black and white pottery stuff made in the northern coast while you're there. You can pick it up at the central markets in Lima, but it's one of those things that look great and make you look like you know how to decorate. I've gotten several compliments on mine. The ladies love it.

[stevew]

Don't trust the local brand of condoms, if you run into some hot senorita.

[Schmidty]

If you're in Peru you have to try and find Paddington Bear's family :D

Hilarious.

None of these bozos even got it.

As an aside, marmalade really IS my favorite jam.