I was mistaken. A real man has to admit when he is wrong and well, I may have been a bit wrong about my expectations of Peru. Initially, I talked about how I didn’t want to get to know Peru that well. The culprit you ask? I honestly didn’t find it very unique or interesting. I also had the understanding that it was one of the “backwards countries” that South America has been known to produce. Luckily, Peru was none of the above, I was expecting some chaos and it turns out that Peru has turned over a new leaf.

First impressions. As for the inefficiencies, everything wasn’t perfect when I visited the country but when you travel nothing never is. The first taxi I jumped in after arriving at the airport had the license plate number written on the head rests of all the seats. I immediately thought to myself the danger and crimes that must occur at night if taxi drivers place that on their headrests. Luckily, that was the only one. As of roughly 10 years ago the terrorism stopped in the country and Peruvians began a new direction. Tourism began to flourish and you can even withdraw dollars out of any ATM machine in the country. It was interesting to hear the comments from taxi drivers and locals when they would tell me about how different things are.

Peru has peaked my interest as both a possible country to invest in as well as a future tourism destination. One of the things that I know about the countries in South America is that they are run like relationships. You meet a new person that you really like, a new president, and things are great in the beginning. After a few years things aren’t going as well anymore, you start to fight, corruption ensues, and the relationship isn’t what it used to be. Most South American countries have been in the bad relationship phase for quite a while and some are just now finding new mates. Peru is still in the honey moon phase, very early in the relationship. Let’s see if it can stand the test of time.

The country is unique in many ways. Not just the amazon, Nazca lines, Macchu Pichu, Lake Titicaca which it’s famous for. What about the people, traditions and culture? Where do you find music like Peruvian music, from the Afro Peruvian singers to the Huayno? Or the communal drinking, where else have you had to share a glass with 20 other people just to drink beer? The diversity of the people that has influenced the culture was strikingly unique.

Peruvians. Perhaps the most surprising part of this trip were how content the people of Peru lived. Despite the poor living in near 3rd world conditions, most seemed content and happy.

Pictures. The pictures will not load. Here is the imgur album: http://imgur.com/a/28Xku