Trip to Peru

After a long time in the pipeline I finally managed to visit one of the most amazing countries of South America. The name Peru is derived from the quetxua piru, storage, the place where the incas used to store their precious items or provisions, and it was finally adapted by the Spanish conquerors in the 16th century.
The trip had to be organized in a record time and I couldn't miss this great oportunity. I've started in the Loreto region in the Amazonas rain forest. This department is bigger than Ecuador and is the begining of the Amazonas river, the most caudalous of the world. A great trip where the sounds and colours of the jungle captivate my soul. The rain forest is continuosly under pressure of the civilisation. The farmers want to expand their lands, timber is a business , and ilegal traffic of wild species is still visible. Only the tourism can save this still paradise. Then visiting Cusco, with his precious Plaza de Armas on my way to Macchu Picchu, one of the most wonderful places in the world, where the high altitude didn't affect my senses to enjoy and that paradise of the former Inca empire, I could stay there for ages if the nasty flies did not try to eat my legs.
No time to rest, train , bus, airplane, all at the last minute, problably a luck to travel alone because man can fit everywhere. Then to the Titikaka lake, a peaceful place with the highlight of the Amantani island. The Colca Valley with the astonishing look the the condors flying by, the amazing desert planes of the altiplano (high lands) on the way to Arequipa, which keeps one of the most beautiful Spanish abbeys of the "new world", Santa Catalina. The misterious Nazca lines with their bizarre forms, still a mistery to the archaeologists. The Ballestas islands, a refugee for see lions and pinguins. A last stop in Lima to finish this anazing tour was a must.
Peru has an advert in every corner, "El Peru avanza", Peru goes forward, at this is true. Just 10 years ago the criminality was everywhere, the terrorists of Sendero Luminoso, threaten the goverment, corruption. Today Peru has a better situation, though corruption and criminality are still present, a country of contrasts, many rich people, los blancos, driving luxus cars, and on the other side I have seen though many poor people, in Lima and in the country, very sad to see so many children begging on the streets. Education and public healthy system are still an issue. But I have seen some good signals of recovery, it is not that dangerous as many people told me, though a certain level of self protection is always needed. They need more time to improve but probably under the influence of the eternal rivals, Chile, the fact is that Peru has developed an industry, is exporting oil, minerals, food. Their people has good potential, they are proud of their culture, their music, their gastronomy. But still I think that among all Tourism is the best value that can take this country of the inestability, and also I wish Peru will soon on track to reach estability and progress, and that the neighbours will take example and forget the imperialist socialist ideas of left wing dictators which don't care at all about their people. I have to say I met wonderful people during this trip, hard workers, polite, a bit slow but fairly honest most of the times. and the peruvian people have won a new friend. Hasta pronto !