Why I love travel in Peru

I won’t say it’s my dream place to live in (there is a huge gap between the haves and have-nots and I’d spend my whole time fighting for rights of others), however for travel through Latin America I’d say it’s one of my two favourite destinations (so far)…

• The food. This country is a vegetarian’s destination. With so much of the produce being local, the fruits and vegetables are fresher, sweeter and I’m almost certain packed with more vitamins than most you’ll find in a fruit and veggie market in a more developed country. Everything has more flavour. And there’s more variety. I can describe some of the fruits, veggies and beans I have eaten however not only do their names escape me but I am almost certain you won’t find them on anybody’s veggie patch back ‘home’…
• Freshly blended fruit juice from street-type vendors. This is bar none the highlight of a hot summer’s day.
• Economy. Local products can be dirt cheap. This sounds bad BUT what you are actually given the opportunity to do is SPEND MORE with the local population. This means you have more opportunities to spend money on items grown, reared or crafted by LOCAL PRODUCERS. While poverty is high, you can buy more from the producers themselves. You are paying the grandmother of 16 directly. No middle man.
• Abundance of “Tuna” (Prickly Pear) in summer in parts of Peru and also the more arid parts of South America in general. It is touted as a nutrient-rich food and may aid in regulating insulin levels, especially good for diabetics!
• People. If you Speak Spanish (and perhaps away from the big cities and crowded tourist destinations) you’re in luck because the locals are very friendly and open to conversation with strangers. Especially those who aren’t selling you anything.
• Culture. The Peruvian government recognizes the monetary value of maintaining places of cultural significance. And keeping those that spend the money in the region safe. It’s always good to employ the usual best-practices when traveling however as a ‘western’ (they don’t know I’m more eastern 😉 ) tourist I felt safer in Peru than I did in the ‘more developed’ Chile. And there are so many paces to see, both free and at a cost, on and off the beaten track.
• Traffic. I haven’t had a bigger adventure in crossing a street than in Peru. I know, I know. Those that have been to Turkey or India will say you haven’t seen… BUT it was a fun experience none-the-less 🙂
• Nature. With so much land covered by the national parks there are sooooooo many unexplored options for the outdoorsy types (hear that Peruvian government? keep it green!).
• Shopping. Ever read on the label “Made in Peru”? If you’re into your clothes and shoes – you know those sexy ones, best fitting a curvy physique, whatever size… now’s your chance girls 😉
• The streets were cleaner and tidier than what I saw in some of the neighbouring countries.
• Border crossings are a breeze for western tourists – if not, you’re just very unlucky or troublesome 😉
• Abundance of music. This is a music and festivity loving country.

A Peruvian grandmother selling Prickly Pears (“Tuna” in local Spanish, “Higos” in Spanish from Spain) at the entrance of the Tacna bus station, in Peru. ***NOTE: Image may be available for limited editorial licensing only. For all licensing queries please contact us.*** (Photo © Boianna / Loxarte. All Rights Reserved and Moral Rights Asserted.)

• The objectification of women and notable absence of them in public jobs beyond, well, objectifying roles such as dancing or bartending or subordinate sales roles (cashiers and stall holders)
• Poverty