Astrografico

[astrografico-blog]

A guide to travel in Peru

 Peru is a majestically beautiful country which boasts both an ancient culture and a striking atmosphere. Here are 10 DO's and 10 don'ts that will help keep you prepared and safe as you explore this fascinating country.Do "sDo expect to pay more than locals for the same item. Unless you are fluent and confident in the languages of Spanish or Quechua, the local suppliers is likely to take advantage of you. On the bright side, even if you are overcharged for handmade items such as Alpaca blankets or scarves, you'll still save a bundle over what you would pay for them in States.Do change your currency at the airport while you are still in the United States. If you wait until you are in Peru to exchange your dollars for soles, you get stuck with paying a percentage of the money you transfer in fees. This fee varies from 50-20% or more.Do get your vaccinations. Especially if you plan to travel outside of Lima and Cuzco to the more primitive areas you need vaccinations against typhoid fever, malaria, yellow fever, and maybe more. Please visit Cuzco and Macchu Picchu. Cuzco is the heart of Indian heritage in Peru. Inner City center is a lot of cobbled streets and courts, and vendors pushing wooden carts. There are enough attractions to keep you busy for weeks. Macchu Picchu is also a must-see if you are in the area. Group Tours leave from Cusco and head up to the ancient city through narrow Andean mountain passes and many Indian villages. Expect to spend four hours or more on the bus or train from Cuzco.Do carry a credit card. Because of the exorbitant fees you pay to transfer money, to have a credit card, there is a must. Also sent money to you from the U.S. is meaningless. A letter with the addresses with American names and a U.S. postal stamp makes a perfect target for thieves in the Peruvian postal system.Do bring your own toilet paper. Toilet paper is often not delivered in public toilets in Peru. If you do not want to pack it in your luggage, be sure to fill it as soon as you enter the country.Do carry phone cards. An international calling card is important to do anytime you are in a foreign country. Peru's government is normally very unstable with government strikes and riots that occurred on a fairly regular basis. Make sure you have a means of contacting home, in case you need to count it.Do pay to use a toilet. Especially in tourist attractions, such as Macchu Picchu. You will need to pay to use a toilet, or find a distant shrub or bush! Do pack light. Amenities such as elevators and escalators are usually available or out of order in Peru. This fact means that you pull all your luggage up and down stairs during your travels. The less you pack, the better.Do expect culture shock. Together with beauties and picturesque shade of an ancient culture, you also get Baser, more primitive facts that come with being in the Third World. After a week or so, the things you found fascinating first can be annoying or downright annoying. Be patient and be thankful for the modern conveniences you have home.Don "ts Do not wear expensive jewelry. Crime rates in towns and villages in Peru is high. Before my month-long stint in Peru, I heard more than a story about women having their hands cut off for the clocks, cut off or fingers for rings, etc. Although I never experienced any threat to my property, it is still wise to use discernment when display of your American wealth.Don not dependent on public transport. Vehicles in Third World countries are unpredictable and unreliable. This is also often the case with tour buses and convoys. Do not plan to keep a strict itinerary while Peru.Don not be offended by the word "Gringo". It is true that you probably will hear the word "gringo" (white) said to you in a particular offensive manner while in Peru. Many of the citizens believe that the U.S. takes ruthless advantage of the countries in South America and will openly show their disgust. Shrug it off and not respond in kind.Don not just take a ride offered at the airport. As you leave an airport in Peru, you get multiple offers for rides to your destination, some of the young men who are totally serious about his cajoling. Be sure that the driver is legitimate (he has a vehicle designated as a taxi) before accepting a ride. Also, ask about prices before getting in the car. You will probably be over-charged either way, but that the issue is still a good idea.Don not worried by armed guards. I learned to take comfort in the sight of a man armed with an automatic weapon, especially after all the crime stories I had heard. Whether you are in a bank, shopping district or airport guns will be commonplace. Do not drink the water. Good advice when you are in the Third World: Buy bottle water.Don not expect a hot shower. There are two extremes to the water in the surrounding areas in Peru: Freezing cold and boiling hot. Generally there is no happy medium if you are not in a nice hotel in Lima.Don not flush the toilet. In a country of under-developed septic tanks, flushing anything other than human waste is taboo. Was not the one that backs up drains for your hostel, hotel, or host. Do not show impatience. Peruvians and Quechuan Indians already have a stereotype of Americans firmly ingrained in them: The Americans are rich, impatient, rude, fat people who like to push others around. Not exacerbate this perception by proving them right. Do not eat food from street vendors. Your best bet is to buy packaged, canned, or exclusive food restaurant. Often tourists buying foods prepared by street vendors have been victims of bad upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and worse: parasites. Your sterile American body probably can not tolerate the practice of cooking by the locals.

portillos ski chile

[astrografico-blog]

Tips for a smooth Family Road Trip

A road trip can be a rewarding part of your holiday or, if not planned correctly, it can become a nightmare! First, it is important to eat something to bring on your trip, or you can at the mercy of the "Welcome Center" and fast food restaurants for 100% of the food and drinks - not a good idea. Just pack some healthy sandwiches, mineral water or canteens, snack bars and nutritional value to you in between.If are diabetic, you must bring the necessary insulin and other medical supplies. Likewise, if you have any medical conditions not forget, a sufficient supply of your medication. Who should contact a pair of glasses as a backup in case your eyes get irritated wear, at least you can be seen on the street with glasses book helpful on.It as hotel or motel reservations in advance. Highway-side motels can be booked quickly, especially during the busy summer travel months and autumn, and during the holidays. I commend the leaders of the AAA road motels available anytime AAA office, or you can search their Web site.If you a dog or other pet safely with you that the hotel accepts pets. Otherwise, you can get thrown out - or worse - a serious charge fee "recovery" when bringing your pet the room.It is always helpful to bring entertainment options, CDs or a new set of songs on your iPod, or a satellite radio receiver ... 15 + hours of driving, can be painful without some necessary distractions.Also a fixed rotation schedule between themselves and other drivers will work with you - when a driver enjoys or is it better, night driving suitable, for example, they should get this time. If you rotate drivers, you can of course cover more distance in less time (although ensure that every driver is authorized to drive the car, proper license / ID and insurance) has. Finally, be especially vigilant about speed limits, as the posted speed limit can change rapidly (so-called "gaps") and some counties to make significant money from unsuspecting motorists ticketing. If in doubt, do not go faster than anyone else on the road until you see a speed limit sign.Take sufficient breaks for food and toilets, as well as stretching. Some cars now have "lumbar support for improved comfort back, but it is still necessary to stretch every few hours and to ensure optimal blood flow to resume and to prevent cramps or discomfort.Remember that a road trip should be fun and not a race, you get to compromise comfort and enjoyment, if you are simply in a hurry to get to the target (not to mention increase your risk of getting a ticket). If you are excited about the prospect of less than one road trip, but you need your car at the intended destination, you should see the Amtrak train-car service instead. It is convenient, fast and (in my opinion) relatively affordable.

http://washington.edu

[astrografico-blog]

Create a family emergency supply Tote for travel with children

When we went to one place or another, if our children were young the way, I carried a huge bag, much too big for me to pull. After all, I needed to get everything from an extra diapers and a mini first aid kit carry the children's books and snacks. Nevertheless, it seemed that no matter where we went, the children some item that was not necessary in my handbag. What do you do when a child gets sick in a car? What do you do when you are away from home and has one of the children, some type of accident and you do not have a change of clothes? What parents have not dealt with this problem during the trip, including my son and daughter-in-law? A few years ago at a family gathering, had one of our young grandson a change of clothes. No one had extra clothes together and the poor boy had to implementation in a blanket until a trip to the local and very small, we found that something could be used to store. However, the solution was less than perfect for a little boy and was unacceptable. The next time we held a family celebration, an additional change of clothes for the children was put on the list of must-high. "While in the bustle of the packaging before, often the last thing we look at this "Tools are, especially if the family is" simply travel across the city. But away whether traveling for several hours or travel across town, the children are with accidents, and what happens is usually the only thing not planned. But by planning ahead now, major problems, mere inconvenience and keep you sane parents and children from feeling a bit humiliated. Instead of trying to carry a heavy bag, think of a family emergency dead in this car. A family emergency kept the dead are in the car checked and, if time is not the essence. Totes are available cheaply and easily. Buy one that fits well on the floor of the car or somewhere handy. It does not have to be huge, but big enough to take the following points-just in case. If you have a child, extra diapers, wet wipes pack, ointment, toys and extra formula and bottles if the baby is not breastfed.Carry plastic bags in various sizes that can be used wet or soiled children's clothes. Smaller plastic bags as being "sick" bags used when a child becomes ill during the trip. Make sure to include wipes and hand sanitizer. Children are constantly in need of clean-up, also in the car. A couple of towels are also a good idea. Emergencies happen during the trip. Children may get wet, dirty, bloody even (epistaxis not fun in a closed room with nothing to stem the tide). Include a selection of the activities of the children while strapped like books, crayons, game machines, according to the age of the child. Appears durable snacks (fast, non-chaotic elements easily consumed during the trip without major cleanup) and water for adults and children alike. At home or on the road, children play at any time, they are dirty. When traveling it is a good idea of the family emergency dead with a complete second set of clothing, including pajamas and an extra jacket or sweater in case the weather turns cold pack. Does not hurt to have two (instead of one) extra pair of socks and underwear. An extra blanket can be used to protect one from the ground to be raised at a picnic or a concert, or a sleeping child. Add to revive a favorite music CD is a long, boring trip and make travel time seem more of a family emergency quickly.Keeping dead hand helps you to take the stress out of family travel, visits and excursions.