Comments on: From the Slums of Lima to the Peaks of the Andes http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/ Just another blogs.smithsonianmag.com site Sun, 12 May 2013 14:12:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Alastair Bland http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1630 Alastair Bland Sun, 24 Feb 2013 12:48:28 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1630 About the bus rides and traffic: Don´t you recognize that a bus ride isn´t a joke or a trip to an amusement park? When people drive carelessly, people die. The evidence of this along the Panamerican Highway is astounding. I am in Ecuador now and am enjoying the high Andes very much. About the bus rides and traffic: Don´t you recognize that a bus ride isn´t a joke or a trip to an amusement park? When people drive carelessly, people die. The evidence of this along the Panamerican Highway is astounding.

I am in Ecuador now and am enjoying the high Andes very much.

]]> By: Claudia http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1626 Claudia Sun, 24 Feb 2013 01:00:39 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1626 I think what those of us that have visited these country's as guests of friends or family, and for extended visits, he is truly missing out on the whole experience. It's been a travel log on fruit and his own disappointments and misfortunes. My first wild bus ride on hair-pin mountain pass, true it's not for the faint of heart, but I came out of it feeling ALIVE! It's about embracing a culture and the scenery. To put it simply, last time I went to SA, I took my 7 & 8 yr. old kids with me to the countryside of Caracas. And they asked me if all the people that lived in the shantys were sad? No, it is sadder to loose what one has, than never to have it at all and embrace what is important. They may not have the infrastructure, but they do not lack in commitment to their families, communities or good humor. y I think what those of us that have visited these country’s as guests of friends or family, and for extended visits, he is truly missing out on the whole experience. It’s been a travel log on fruit and his own disappointments and misfortunes.

My first wild bus ride on hair-pin mountain pass, true it’s not for the faint of heart, but I came out of it feeling ALIVE! It’s about embracing a culture and the scenery. To put it simply, last time I went to SA, I took my 7 & 8 yr. old kids with me to the countryside of Caracas. And they asked me if all the people that lived in the shantys were sad? No, it is sadder to loose what one has, than never to have it at all and embrace what is important. They may not
have the infrastructure, but they do not lack in commitment to their families, communities or good humor.

y

]]> By: Mike Edwards http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1311 Mike Edwards Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:02:21 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1311 I like the good, the bad, and the ugly of the article. Why paint a pretty picture of a place, rather than just relating what one sees and experiences? Having not been to Peru, I'm sure it has much man-made and natural beauty. We'll likely read about that in future articles. Just look at the progression of the pictures in this article alone. I like the good, the bad, and the ugly of the article. Why paint a pretty picture of a place, rather than just relating what one sees and experiences? Having not been to Peru, I’m sure it has much man-made and natural beauty. We’ll likely read about that in future articles. Just look at the progression of the pictures in this article alone.

]]> By: Alicia Young http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1309 Alicia Young Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:47:37 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1309 Hi there, I have never been to Peru.... But in reading this I feel that it is being described not spoken ill of... it seems to me to be from the prospective of what is being seen... I did get a sense that it was off the beat and path...and it’s clear that there might be prettier paths to see...but it doesn’t sound negative to me...so much positive wonder about the fruits and nature otherwise....(and I know that the description would be similar riding into my own beloved city… ride that once and it won’t be repeated!!!)…. I don't know...but I just got a diffrent vibe from the story than the other readers. Hi there,
I have never been to Peru…. But in reading this I feel that it is being described not spoken ill of… it seems to me to be from the prospective of what is being seen… I did get a sense that it was off the beat and path…and it’s clear that there might be prettier paths to see…but it doesn’t sound negative to me…so much positive wonder about the fruits and nature otherwise….(and I know that the description would be similar riding into my own beloved city… ride that once and it won’t be repeated!!!)…. I don’t know…but I just got a diffrent vibe from the story than the other readers.

]]> By: Jeremy in Florida http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1306 Jeremy in Florida Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:33:57 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1306 If you are not planning to return to Lima other than to get back to the airport and fly back, then you are really missing out. I am American but wife is originally from Peru and have visited Lima on vacation several times. Of course there are some bad neighborhoods and the outskirts of the city are dusty slums, but if you don't go to the malecon/costa verde and stroll along the parks overlooking the Pacific, or eat ceviche or fresh-caught mussels at one of the great restaurants, or visit the historical center of town and the amazing 16th century churches, you are doing the city and people a disservice by painting such a negative picture of Lima when you have only biked from the airport North out of the city. Lima is an amazing city with so many great things to see, but it is often overlooked by tourists because of first impressions like this and people just use it as a jumping off point as they travel on to Cusco or other parts of Peru. The other regions are nice, but spend a week in Lima and you will love it. That being said, I am looking forward to reading the next few articles about your trip, as I have been to Nazca, Paracas, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and a few other places but haven't yet made it to the places in North Peru where you are traveling. Hopefully you will have some good recommendations for my next trip. Enjoy Peru! If you are not planning to return to Lima other than to get back to the airport and fly back, then you are really missing out. I am American but wife is originally from Peru and have visited Lima on vacation several times. Of course there are some bad neighborhoods and the outskirts of the city are dusty slums, but if you don’t go to the malecon/costa verde and stroll along the parks overlooking the Pacific, or eat ceviche or fresh-caught mussels at one of the great restaurants, or visit the historical center of town and the amazing 16th century churches, you are doing the city and people a disservice by painting such a negative picture of Lima when you have only biked from the airport North out of the city.

Lima is an amazing city with so many great things to see, but it is often overlooked by tourists because of first impressions like this and people just use it as a jumping off point as they travel on to Cusco or other parts of Peru. The other regions are nice, but spend a week in Lima and you will love it.

That being said, I am looking forward to reading the next few articles about your trip, as I have been to Nazca, Paracas, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and a few other places but haven’t yet made it to the places in North Peru where you are traveling. Hopefully you will have some good recommendations for my next trip. Enjoy Peru!

]]> By: Jack Smith http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1302 Jack Smith Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:54:53 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1302 Alastair, the point is, was, that you have written negatively about a city that has received you well, with open arms. One that has an enormous interest in encouraging travel and tourism to combat those failures that you so clearly describe. My mother used to say... If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. Overall are you having a good experience in Peru? If so, talk about the good things then. When I visit Los Angeles or San Francisco I don't write home or publish in my blog about the filth, homelessness, drugs and prostitution in the streets, or the abysmal income gaps between Malibu and South Central. I write about culture, beaches, great weather and beautiful people. Thank you. Alastair, the point is, was, that you have written negatively about a city that has received you well, with open arms. One that has an enormous interest in encouraging travel and tourism to combat those failures that you so clearly describe. My mother used to say… If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. Overall are you having a good experience in Peru? If so, talk about the good things then. When I visit Los Angeles or San Francisco I don’t write home or publish in my blog about the filth, homelessness, drugs and prostitution in the streets, or the abysmal income gaps between Malibu and South Central. I write about culture, beaches, great weather and beautiful people. Thank you.

]]> By: Alastair Bland http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1300 Alastair Bland Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:58:27 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1300 Jack, I actually have pedaled around the less esteemed parts of Los Angeles and Long Beach. No fun at all! Jack, I actually have pedaled around the less esteemed parts of Los Angeles and Long Beach. No fun at all!

]]> By: Jack Smith http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1299 Jack Smith Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:25:30 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1299 True, leaving Lima on the way north is a dismal proposition, due to the presence of a large expanse of slums. Much more so on a bike, as it is a desert city and quite dusty. With a leftist mayor on her way to be ousted for incompetence, the level of ugliness in the poor outskirt areas has dramatically increased due to her administration's neglect. The writer needs to relax and enjoy. Have some Evian bottled water sent to you and wash the grapes dude! I don't suggest San Luis water as you may think it is mercury poisoned. Someone with a little thinking ability would have anticipated that in the summer, the heat melts the ice in the mountains, creating unstable weather patterns, rain, mud slides and dangerous rivers. Being from California, I wonder if the writer ever took a bike ride around South Central Los Angeles, eastern Long Beach, the outskirts of Whittier, or took a stroll around Broadway or MacArthur park? I guess not. Good luck in Chiclayo... I hope you are able to keep your bike and helmet. True, leaving Lima on the way north is a dismal proposition, due to the presence of a large expanse of slums. Much more so on a bike, as it is a desert city and quite dusty. With a leftist mayor on her way to be ousted for incompetence, the level of ugliness in the poor outskirt areas has dramatically increased due to her administration’s neglect. The writer needs to relax and enjoy. Have some Evian bottled water sent to you and wash the grapes dude! I don’t suggest San Luis water as you may think it is mercury poisoned. Someone with a little thinking ability would have anticipated that in the summer, the heat melts the ice in the mountains, creating unstable weather patterns, rain, mud slides and dangerous rivers. Being from California, I wonder if the writer ever took a bike ride around South Central Los Angeles, eastern Long Beach, the outskirts of Whittier, or took a stroll around Broadway or MacArthur park? I guess not. Good luck in Chiclayo… I hope you are able to keep your bike and helmet.

]]> By: Alastair Bland http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1298 Alastair Bland Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:18:01 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1298 Hi Will, That's great to know about your experience. Based on what I've heard, it's normal for outsiders who drink the tap water here, or eat from street vendors, to get sick. Perhaps you got lucky? But in response to your statement, we ARE eating local fare! That's all we eat. Two or three times a day we walk through the local markets, buying fruits we've never seen before. Even familiar items like mangos and papayas are amazing here--full of flavor and freshness that their imported counterparts don't bring with them to California. Just that food didn't pass through a kitchen or over a flame doesn't mean it's not "fare." The markets are nuclei of local culture! It's 6 a.m. now and I'm eager to go find the nearest outdoor market. I'm hoping for lucumas. Did you enjoy those?? Salud! Hi Will,
That’s great to know about your experience. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s normal for outsiders who drink the tap water here, or eat from street vendors, to get sick. Perhaps you got lucky?

But in response to your statement, we ARE eating local fare! That’s all we eat. Two or three times a day we walk through the local markets, buying fruits we’ve never seen before. Even familiar items like mangos and papayas are amazing here–full of flavor and freshness that their imported counterparts don’t bring with them to California. Just that food didn’t pass through a kitchen or over a flame doesn’t mean it’s not “fare.” The markets are nuclei of local culture! It’s 6 a.m. now and I’m eager to go find the nearest outdoor market. I’m hoping for lucumas. Did you enjoy those??

Salud!

]]> By: Will Roberts http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2013/01/from-the-slums-of-lima-to-the-peaks-of-the-andes/#comment-1297 Will Roberts Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:33:13 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=5863#comment-1297 Having visited this country recently, I wonder why this author bothered to go. I happily drank the tap water, sampled the local vendor's dishes and ate ceviche. What is the point of traveling if not to sample the local fare? Running from someone who offers cheese? What's that about? Eat like a local, think of the benefits your immune system will get. Oh, I never had a moments illness. Having visited this country recently, I wonder why this author bothered to go. I happily drank the tap water, sampled the local vendor’s dishes and ate ceviche. What is the point of traveling if not to sample the local fare? Running from someone who offers cheese? What’s that about?
Eat like a local, think of the benefits your immune system will get. Oh, I never had a moments illness.

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