Peru
General Tips in Peru
Observe and learn (or at least appreciate)
by Oscart
About 2 years ago
Well... This is just a short note on a general "tip" for travelers. I just think that it is a good idea to remind ourselves that we should leave our preconceptions aside when traveling (and life is traveling!). Part of our journey is about learning, I think, and keeping our minds (and hearts) open are essential to spreading a positive vibration wherever we go. Now I guess that more than a "tip" this is a wish I hope for you, too, the reader. Be safe and enjoy! Osc ps: I had to put a "location", "city" and "category" so I could publish, but such limits don't actually exist).
Be aware that the Lonely Planet Bible is not a sacred text
by Curley32
About 2 years ago
Treat the Lonely Planet as you would the other great Bible, as a guideline and not as the holy grail for it is not infallible nor wholly objective. The Lonely Planet, like the revered Bible, was written by people and people, by our nature, cannot help but be swayed by our own opinions and experiences of things. Not even history books are completely objective. Omission of certain information can be a powerful manipulator of opinion. Just because somewhere has been recommended by Lonely Planet doesn't mean that you have to boycott the really cute place that you yourself have stumbled upon in favour of the endorsed place. It is, after all, your trip. Do not, even if you have the latest edition, take the prices in the Lonely Planet as accurate and proceed to budget according to them for they are rarely spot on. The error may be marginal, but as a dedicated backpacker, alas, there is often not much flexibility in your wallet. Also, take into account that the writer’s experience of a particular place will inevitably be influenced by many factors, such as the weather; their own mood, for let’s face it, even though we are carefree travelers, we are not deliriously happy every single day of our travels ; the service they encounter, which in itself is influenced by many factors and the expectations that they have which may not correspond to your own travel expectations. There are too many variables. Best to make use of the maps and the solid historical and cultural information that it contains and use the rest as guidelines, along with the information that you pick up along the way yourself from other travelers.
