Lima Questions ( vs Rio )
Gentlemen,
I have really enjoyed reading the posts and pictures and thank you all for sharing wonderful information. Peru was not on my radar but from the posts it looks like a place that I will enjoy.
There are some assumptions and doubts that I need help with. Thanks in advance for the help I am sure I will find here.
Background:
I'm 30, fit, tall, new yorker (but was born in India and actually look more middle eastern than Indian), been to a few countries but only Rio in South America.
Assumptions:
1. I did pretty good in Rio with only English. Assuming I will be Ok in Lima. I did Ok in Dominican Republic also.
2. Country is generally stable and that crime is not a highlight of the society. (I take the necessary precautions and know that its not my country)
3. If Rio looked Ok to me, expense wise, Lima should be similar (hotels, women, food ...)
4. Outside of women, there are enough things to do in Lima to have a good 10-12 day holiday.
5. There are places open till 2-3 AM. it looks like Mira Flores is the main area where most mongers prefer staying and if i like getting up at 10:30-11:00 AM and sleeping at 3-4:00 AM, I will have options.
6. I love walking. If I take a place in Mira Flores, I am assuming that I can walk to the hang out places instead of going point to point in cab all the time. I love staying in the middle of shopping areas, so that i can do window shoping by the day and walk to restaurants / clubs / bars at the night. (Comparision - staying in copacabana and walking to Help at night)
Doubts:
1. I am every bit a new yorker but I am a Sikh and look much differet than blond hair/blue eyes. I do not usually wear my turban when on holiday but have my hair in a pony and my long beard, all unruly. In Rio, I had incredible success in just being Indian. For some reason, being from america always took things into a political Q&A which I hate. I dropped all reference of NY by day three in Rio and it was fun all the way from there on. Got invited to peoples homes and one of the freebies, later told me that its not every day she gets to hang around with an Indian :-)
What should I be prepared for in Lima? (For those mongers who can get a response from their trusted women friends, I will really appreciate it)
2. How is the nationalistic feeling there? is everyone all ready to get out of lima for greener pastures elsewhere or they are proud to be peruvians?
3. Culturally, how is the relation between a man and a woman? That is - A typical city girl in her 20s, does she usually look forward to pleasing her man or do they get so much attention by men that they expect men to take care of their every whim and wish?
(Please assume a average middle class peruvian woman and man from the same background)
4. Outside of tourism / mongering is the country a common business destination? ( if so, niche businesses or major industries)
5. How big a role does money play, in an average person's life? That is, would people usually work overtime for a few extra bucks or would they prefer spending time with families and friends?
Once again people, thanks for all the insight .
R21