V-Love’s Lonely Planet

Since I’ve been home I’ve just discovered couch surfing! What an amazing concept. Stay on a locals couch, meet the locals for coffee or a beer, have the locals take you around on a tour. And all for free.

Pictures have now been posted on all of my previous Peru blogs.

My 3 weeks in Peru was an exceptional experience and I would not take one minute of it back or do anything differently. Every place I went I felt welcome by the locals and at home with some of the backpackers. Not only did I learn about Peru and it’s historic ruins, but I met people that I am sure I will keep in touch with throughout the rest of my life. I experienced being alone and out of my element in the jungle, completed the 4 day Inca Trail successfully and safely, and learned to appreciate the value of small things after seeing how the local island families live in Puno.

I am sure over the next several years I will make my way back to South America to visit the surrounding countries. Not only is the scenery gorgeous in every area I visited but each location is easy to transport to. South America is also very inexpensive compared to some of my past and future travels and welcomes the tourist budget.

Things not to forget about Peru:
• I should have never slept in the Lima airport my first night in Peru
• Sure you can find Italian, Chinese, Vegetarian and some other ethnic foods, but as far as Peruvian goes, don’t expect much more than a meat or fish, rice, potato’s, corn or beans if you are lucky, and a not so sweet pudding like dessert.
• Everywhere but Lima there live stray dogs. Some are sickly thin and ALL need to be spade or neutered.
• Many many backpackers in Peru as well as all over South America. Don’t be afraid to travel alone as you are bound to make new friends within a few hours of your arrival.
• Most restaurants allow you to bring your own wine.
• Haggle everywhere for anything.
• I read and heard so much about certain areas being dangerous and watching your things. If you are smart about it, you have nothing to worry about. Nobody got to close or bothered me in any way.
• Expect a local Peruvian to try and sell you an Alpaca scarf, gloves, hat, socks around every street corner.
• Backpackers seem to have a poor reputation. I heard stories and met many that often seem to enjoy getting high off of some illegal substance. To me it seems a waste of their time and money to travel to another country to sit in the hostel getting high. But 80% of the backpackers I met were friendly, cultured, well traveled, knowledgeable, educated and seemed to come from good homes and all knew how to enjoy themselves without the use of such drugs. Obviously, I much preferred to surround myself with these kinds of travelers.
• If you are hiking the 4 day Inca Trail be well prepared for a strenuous yet rewarding experience.
• While I went over my daily eating budget, I came home within $100 of the total budget I planned on spending.
• If ever traveling to Peru and trying to decide which areas to visit, go to Lake Titicaca and experience a home stay with the local families. Bring small gifts and try learning some Spanish.

I’m sure I’ll add to this list as I think of things.

My trip ended with a two day visit to Lima, Peru's capital. Lima seems to have a poor reputation from visitors, I assume because it's a typical big city and not easily accessible by foot. But I found ... [Continue reading this entry]

I simply loved Cuzco and could have spent much more time there. Although it seems the city is there mostly for the tourists as it generally houses Cathedrals-museums-shops-and restaurants, simply admiring the view was pleasant and relaxing. I ... [Continue reading this entry]

After spending $40 you better believe I enjoyed complimentary eggs with bread and marmalade. This is the typical breakfast at all of the hostels/hotels. I became addicted to the bread there and slathered a ton of marmalade on ... [Continue reading this entry]

I physically could not sleep in after waking up at 5am each morning in the jungle as well as the Inca Trail. My eyes popped open around 6am the day after we finished the hike. You would think ... [Continue reading this entry]

Thanks to The Laughing Nomad for posting this video. For all of us going through our quarter life crisis, New Soul should bring you comfort. I'm sure some certain friends will appreciate this video. I know I did. ... [Continue reading this entry]

I can't believe my 3 weeks in Peru has come to an end. While it seems like time has flown by, it also seems as if I were in the jungle many months ago. I spent today touring ... [Continue reading this entry]

Day 2 continued... After admiring the view at Dead Woman's Pass at 4200 meters, some of us decide to start the decent back down to 3600 meters where night 2s camp site is. I know, all that work to reach ... [Continue reading this entry]

It was 5:15 AM as Peru Treks arrived at my hostel for my Inca Trail pick up. On the bus were already a few hikers who were all sleeping. We continued to pick up a few more throughout ... [Continue reading this entry]