Travel and Safety Secrets
On Sunday, I had one last lunch in Lima and then bade farewell to my host family. My bags were packed, and my itinerary for the last week in Cuzco was printed and ready to go. Cuzco is a cultural mecca of Incan and Peruvian history, up in the mountains 3400 meters above sea level. There was a 45 minute flight, which I fell asleep on. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I felt like I was walking underwater. I could breathe, but I quickly ran out of breath, and found it difficult to walk in a straight line.
I was warned about the altitude sickness that commonly affects travelers to Cuzco, but I had taken something for it. Why was this happening? I took the two backup remedies at the airport: aspirin (pills to be swallowed) and coca leaves (to be chewed). Later I found out that I bought motion sickness medicine from the pharmacy, not altitude sickness medication. Peru has far less regulations on prescriptions than back home in the US, so I learned to take an extra minute and research the brand names of medications when I buy them, not just their general uses. It also didn’t help that I forgot the word for altitude when I got to the pharmacy, so I had to try and explain to the pharmacist in Spanish what I needed.
It is now Monday and my body is becoming more acclimated to the altitude, and we hiked through some valleys in Cuzco to explore ruins, tunnels, and grassy, alpaca-filled hills. I am in a completely new city now, and I am falling back on the safety and travel tips I learned in Lima. The first thing I learned is that in a new place, especially with no Wifi, it can be very dangerous to stray from your hotel or place of residence. Always remember street names that you took or at least a few of the biggest streets near you. Write them down if you have to or find visible and distinct landmarks such as the Prudential Center in Boston. In the hotels I stayed at over the past month, the front desk has always had suggestions for markets, restaurants, and anything else my friends and I asked for. Sometimes they even provided a paper map to help you get your bearings.
Keep plenty of money on you for anything you might need on the go…but be careful not to pull your valuables out on the street, especially in a crowded place like right outside a restaurant or in a city square. Two people have had their phones taken right from their hands. Money is handy to have in case you find yourself in need of extra food, water, or even if you’ve come across the perfect souvenir that you just can’t pass up. On the other hand, your passport, ID’s, credit cards from back home, and wallet are not things you always need. For this reason I leave many of these items in my apartment and carry two to three days’ worth of cash on me in a small billfold or clip. I only bring my passport and the rest of my wallet with me when absolutely necessary. Unless you are carrying a backpack for more carrying space, I find it easiest (and safest) to only have money, keys, and my phone on my person. That way it is very easy to remember exactly what I left the house with. The last days in Lima I felt I had really mastered the art of going out. Always bargain with taxis and take Uber when possible…many taxi drivers can be bargained down to 50-75% of what they initially ask for. Remember, usually I am only arguing for a couple of extra dollars, so if I’d like to go home, I don’t mind paying an relatively expensive cab fare when the other choice is walking. My friends and I always split cab fare anyway.
Lastly, know that all these tips are to ensure a good time. Remember to take precautions because the risk of not doing so, and losing your phone, money, or your bearings in a new city is never worth it. With a little luck, a little more caution, and a calm, clear head, you should have absolutely no problems.
Until next time.
Eric Martinez
