Grupo Ultramar
One of the most trying things about traveling is the constant pounding you take from strangers’ indifference. Actually, that would be one of the most trying things about everyday living. However, when you come across someone who shares an idea or the excitement of travel, it makes a strange place feel like home.
We had the good fortune to run into Rafael del Campo Quintana at Ultramar, a customs agency. When we told him we were driving through the Americas he said, “I want to go!” He was only half-joking, but he has taken on the cause of getting our car out of Peruvian customs as if it were his own. He broke out a map of Peru on his computer, and we talked about all the places we should visit. As a contrast, the first agency we ran into told us because the car was more than 5 years old we could not import it; we would have to ship it back to Panama. They said that was probably our only option. We are going with Rafael.
Tomorrow we are supposed to go to the port to see if the car is in one piece. At the risk of sounding like an unabashed advertisement, if you ever need customs agent services, we can give you Rafael’s number in Lima. He is a good person.
Tags: Lima, Travel
Administrator
January 9th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
Dan, Dan, Dan … If I told you once, I told you ten times: Just carry around a roll of twenties and start slipping them to people. You’ll be amazed at how fast you get your car out of customs. That’s how every country except the US works, dude. Believe.
January 11th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
Dan, Dan, Dan! Please tell me you’re not really wearing a shirt emblazoned with “BANANA REPUBLIC” while traveling through Central America.
January 12th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
Matt, please check your map. Peru is not in Central America! (But when we were in Central America, Dan either avoided wearing that shirt, or it was in the laundry pile.)