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Thanks David & Professor
thanks david & professor for ur replies.
apologies if my original post was not clear.
i am curious to find more about the quality (bandwidth) of the high speed internet connection in some of these rental apartments. i understand that magic jack and skype (or some other voip app) will work. the call will be a choppy one if there is not enough bandwidth.
professor: thanks for your input. it does answer part of my question.
i suppose, the best way to find out will be to get my butt down there.
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Laptop problems
In the past I have had no problems connecting to the internet with my old laptop. This last trip I bought a new laptop and could not connect. Even at a internet cafe with a plug in it would not work. Also my Wingman had the same problem. The LP is good since on the way home We stoped at the DR and had no problems. Any one else had this problem? Anyway to remendy this as I will most likely be in Lima for around 30 days starting in late Feb.
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[quote=chuday]thanks david & professor for ur replies.
apologies if my original post was not clear.
i am curious to find more about the quality (bandwidth) of the high speed internet connection in some of these rental apartments. i understand that magic jack and skype (or some other voip app) will work. the call will be a choppy one if there is not enough bandwidth.
professor: thanks for your input. it does answer part of my question.
i suppose, the best way to find out will be to get my butt down there.[/quote]
depends on the type of service cable or telephone. cable only has one speed and it is usually sufficient. telephone lines can vary from slow to very fast depending how much the owner wants to spend.
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[quote=chuday]thanks david & professor for ur replies.
apologies if my original post was not clear.
i am curious to find more about the quality (bandwidth) of the high speed internet connection in some of these rental apartments. i understand that magic jack and skype (or some other voip app) will work. the call will be a choppy one if there is not enough bandwidth.
professor: thanks for your input. it does answer part of my question.
i suppose, the best way to find out will be to get my butt down there.[/quote]
agreed. the investment is minimal, even if you only use it once you will save money on what you would have spent on international cell calls. it is a tax deduction for me, as it is a business expense.
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Claro 3G
claro 3g can be used anywhere for 12 sol/day (about $4.50). cheaper weekly & monthly. no contract needed. you need to buy a modem for about 200 sol (about $70). fast enough for good skype. otherwise, there are internet cafes "cabinas" everywhere very cheap. beware of entering things like bank passwords in internet cafe pcs. they often have keylogging software that records everything, to rip you off. scamming is in their blood.
[quote=chuday]thanks david & professor for ur replies.
apologies if my original post was not clear.
i am curious to find more about the quality (bandwidth) of the high speed internet connection in some of these rental apartments. i understand that magic jack and skype (or some other voip app) will work. the call will be a choppy one if there is not enough bandwidth.
professor: thanks for your input. it does answer part of my question.
i suppose, the best way to find out will be to get my butt down there.[/quote]
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Strong dollar?
I have a question most likely answered by someone living in Peru.
In the USA I keep hearing how the dollar is so strong lately against the Euro,but as I am looking long and hard at maybe a 30 day stay in Lima I find the dollar very weak against the Sol. So I guess my question is pretty basic. What is going on to make the Sol so strong?
Meanwhile it is very cold here in the Northeast and I hope you guys are enjoying yourselfs in one of my favorite places in all the world.
Thanks in advance for any response.
Vic
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1. Peruvian economy recuperating well.
2. Prices up for metals which Peru exports.
3. Foreign investment entering in dollars.
4. The dollar sucking all over the world.
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[QUOTE=David_33]1. Peruvian economy recuperating well.
2. Prices up for metals which Peru exports.
3. Foreign investment entering in dollars.
4. The dollar sucking all over the world.[/QUOTE]
David, pretty much sums it up! I will add that after not being able to defend the 3 to 1 level, the central bank has spent a lot of money to help exporters and has defended the 2.85 level for awhile now.
In an effort to cut back on "outside" speculation in the forward markets, Peru has implemented a "capital gains tax" of 30%. Don't ask me how it works though.
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As I wrap up my trip to Lima, I want to just leave a public "thank you" to David33, who simply delivers exactly what he says he will exactly the way he says it. His contact was the only one I needed to have an excellent time, and other than some trips to Relax y Vida, he is the only one I bothered to contact.
Thanks,
David!
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[QUOTE=David_33]1. Peruvian economy recuperating well.
2. Prices up for metals which Peru exports.
3. Foreign investment entering in dollars.
4. The dollar sucking all over the world.[/QUOTE]The dollar better buck up.
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For any other of you left-coasters out there, LAN is now offering nonstop service from San Francisco to Lima.
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Spanish language schools
I am hoping to get away this November to study spanish for a month. Peru has become my first choice through research on the web as well as websites like this.
I am hoping that someone can recommend any schools that teach an intensive program. One that will issue some sort of certificate of completion is necessary to claim it as a legitimate business expense.
One school that was recommended ICPNA only offers programs that are too long. I need to be back in 5 weeks time.
Thanks in advance
Ac Bill
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[QUOTE=Ac Bill]I am hoping to get away this November to study spanish for a month. Peru has become my first choice through research on the web as well as websites like this.
I am hoping that someone can recommend any schools that teach an intensive program. One that will issue some sort of certificate of completion is necessary to claim it as a legitimate business expense.
One school that was recommended ICPNA only offers programs that are too long. I need to be back in 5 weeks time.
Thanks in advance
Ac Bill[/QUOTE]
Look into El Sol, though I doubt you can get a certificate in 5 weeks. You should probably enroll in there on-line course now and finish up in person.
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I went to El Sol for a couple of weeks and they are great. As an added bonus their teachers are really hot!
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for Newbes
Newbe check list
After learning many things the hard way I thought I would share some info on helpful travel hints.
1. Before you depart call all banks and credit companys about your plans. Get the international phone numbers for any problems once you are in place. Have at least 2 different ATM cards.
Bring some cash also. Your call depending on how long your trip will be.
2. Keep a list of friends and family phone numbers you may need to call if problems arise.
3. Make a couple of copies of your passport photo page. Do not carry your passport unless you must as a copy will do most anywhere except the airport.
4. Pack so you can only use carry on bags. This will save you time at the airport and also no worry about bags. I have had my bags lost twice and it took each time 2 days to get them back with an extra trip to the airport to retrieve them.
5. At the airport keep most of your cash hidden on your person as this is a most dangerous time for you as crooks know you did not come to their country without money in your pocket.
6. For longer stays get an apartment, for short stays always get a girl friendly hotel close to the action.
7. Never fool around with girls who work at your hotel. I can not stress this enough.
8. Check ISG often on your laptop. Yes a laptop is a great tool for info and down time.
9. Try and hook up with other more experienced Mongers if possible. At the least you will save money on cabs, and no doubt learn a lot from a experienced hand.Also take cabs to bad areas that you visit.
10. At places you want to return get the card. It is way better to show a cab driver a card than use your most likely limited Spanish.
11. Try and learn at least some basic Spanish like numbers and greetings and such.Better yet take a course before you leave home
12. If you are with a person who is from the country you are at and it comes time to get a price on goods or services it would be wise to lay back so the other party does not give a Gringo price
13. .Be a good fellow to the girls you meet. Treat them like a lady and you will be rewarded with most likely good service.
14. Don’t over pay or over tip the working girls. Do not spoil things for other Mongers.
15. Try as best as you can to blend in to the local scene. Don’t wear shorts to night clubs
16. If you get drunk in a bar you are now a possible target for bad guys. Yes they are out there and are watching for easy prey.
17. This one should have been closer to the top. If you are in for a long stay and are tired the first night then go to bed . Yeah I know you want action, but for me I always wish I would have taken it easy the first night. For you way younger guys you can disregard this warning.
18. Very important. Have fun, this is your time. Make the best of it. If you make a mistake don’t sweat it just move on.