No fancy tour could come anywhere near providing the experiences we had in Peru. Before we left, Mary found us good places to stay, working online, with the#1 requisite for those of us of advanced years: a comfortable bed and a hot shower. We were saved much fatigue, because at each point of arrival, a driver was waiting for us. Drivers also took us to many of the places we visited. There were no unpleasant surprises at all along those lines.
We found Peruvians to be, speaking very generally of course, extremely courteous, "correct" and friendly in a reserved way, which pleased me a lot and reminded me of the Spaniards. They kept an eye on us and made sure we were O.K. Tourists are (literally) like gold to Peruvians. The money we spent there made a big difference to everyone we encountered. We spent freely but not recklessly and tipped everyone lavishly.
Yes, the rich and poor contrast is there and right in your face. Walking out the door, you will be approached by sellers, often desperate to sell you something. After a while, you just wave them away, unless they have something special to sell, as they often do.Most places, especially the main tourist areas, are full of police and civil guards, many of them women carrying guns. So there is that tension, but people go about their business unhindered, as far as I could see.
We all got very sick but recovered quite rapidly, since we are basically healthy and active people. That's where the nice rooms, comfy beds and hot showers were so essential. We were at extreme altitudes for many days. I kept a journal for about a week and after that gave up, because I could not handle any abstractions. Mary and Terry, the math whizzes, were a study, trying to figure out sums and tips on restaurant bills! It's amazing. It gives me some insights into how people with mental problems or heart problems must feel: muddy minded and lethargic.
But Mary pushed us all along, and we saw so many things! I'll be looking over the photos and trying to recreate our experiences. This will take time. What I wish now is that we had been able to explore more of Peru! What a place! What a rush!
A wonderful thing to come out of this is the affirmation of our great friendship with Jim and Mary!
So I'm just going to put up this pic from a floating island on Lake Titicaca. Guess who the tourist is and who the local woman! I'll get more serious and down to cases later. I have to put together a chronology and decide how to script the narrative. Big project!
This is just the coolest photo!
Posted by: Musings | October 03, 2012 at 12:57 PM
Hilarious picture! It's a wonder you didn't just stay in Peru. There's an interesting article in the Travel Section of last Sunday's NY Times about traveling in high altitudes. This guy took an auto trip at 18,000 feet. Is that possible? He said it was miserable and they needed oxygen masks.
Posted by: Henry Hank Chapin | October 03, 2012 at 01:31 PM
Liked the photo of the two women with the colorful costumes. I imagine you got a lot of local color photos. -- barbara
Posted by: barbara | October 03, 2012 at 01:33 PM
Kay: Thanks. These women were so nice. They sang us traditional songs and also "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean!" What a hoot!
Hank: I read the article. We weren't *that* high. We found that anything above about 13,000 feet was intolerable for more than a few hours. Machu Picchu is"only" at 7,000 feet! So we were pretty sprightly there. Plus which none of us had gotten sick yet.
Barbara: I thought I fit right in!
Posted by: Hattie | October 03, 2012 at 02:42 PM
The Andes rule! Literally!
Actually, I just realized that after my first stretch in Peru, 3 mos in 1981, I lost interest in Europe, never went again as it is so comparatively bland (although I have been twice for work in this century, brief visits, I am not saying it isn't nice and interesting, but...). Anyway I also never felt American again, really, after that.
Posted by: Z | October 03, 2012 at 05:19 PM
Z: There is so much to say!
Posted by: Hattie | October 03, 2012 at 06:05 PM
Love the photo, keep them coming!!
XO
WWW
Posted by: wisewebwoman | October 03, 2012 at 07:31 PM
adorable picture! Glad you made it back safely, can't wait to hear more about it.
Posted by: psilotum | October 03, 2012 at 09:04 PM
that last comment was Alice, somehow I am logged in as Paul...
Posted by: psilotum | October 03, 2012 at 09:05 PM
What a great picture. Welcome home Hattie... ~Joy
Posted by: Joy | October 04, 2012 at 06:49 AM
That one lady is really quite attractive!! Wonder if she got offers that she had to turn away?
Posted by: Tabor | October 04, 2012 at 07:13 AM
Glad you all liked the pic!
Posted by: Hattie | October 04, 2012 at 07:54 AM