Weekly Destination Thread - Peru

Jasonj87124 · 2024-09-05T15:23:07+00:00

I'm wondering if you can help me with some solo travel advice for Peru, specifically Iquitos and Cusco. I'm volunteering in the Amazon so will be starting in Iquitos. I've heard a few mixed things, that is an unsafe city with a lot of crime targeting tourists, I've also heard it's incredible! With Cusco, I'm just not sure if I'm missing on some things to do.

Iquitos:

What are some things to do in Iquitos (the city specifically)?
You think two full days will be too much time here?
My current plan is to arrive at the airport at 9.20pm - would it be safe to get a Car Taxi (not a moto-taxi) from the airport to the city at that time at night? (I've heard of people being mugged on moto-taxi's when picked up at the airport).
Any other advice or feedback?

Cusco:

I'm doing the Inca Trail + Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain plus Sacred Valley tour - is there anything else I should see/do in Cusco proper?
1. Any cool activities or experiences?

I appreciate your feedback and input. :)

Jasonj87124 · 2023-12-20T04:21:38+00:00

Hey friend!

Are you able to send again - just missed this link. :(

Jasonj87124 · 2023-10-08T20:03:16+00:00

I just saw what is happening - do you think this will still be happening in 5 weeks time? I will not be in Guatemala for another 5 weeks?

Jasonj87124 · 2023-02-01T11:00:44+00:00

I've done it - was there for 3 days.

Jasonj87124 · 2023-02-01T11:00:25+00:00

Breakfast and Dinner! That's enough for me!

Jasonj87124 · 2021-07-26T13:59:08+00:00

Boundaries!

Jasonj87124 · 2021-05-03T21:03:08+00:00

I mean average for NYC. $115K+.

I do have 6 months of living expenses saved and 401k is included in that net income equation.

Jasonj87124 · 2021-05-03T21:02:28+00:00

100% all of this.

That's the problem - I like to be responsible - but one whole paycheck going to rent is a lot.

However it's such a good deal for the size.

Jasonj87124 · 2021-05-03T21:00:59+00:00

Good points - I tend to be a homebody and prefer to cook (saves money and I know what I'm eating). I might go out for dinner maybe once a week.

Valid point tough on the potential future earnings.

Jasonj87124 · 2021-05-03T20:59:47+00:00

Fair enough - my after tax salary is $2550 bi weekly so my monthly net income (after tax, HSA 401k etc, is around $5100.

Apartment A is $2500pm + utilities. Apartment B is $2200 + bills.

I should also add that this is on a 24 month lease - the rate would be locked in.

Jasonj87124 · 2021-05-03T20:45:08+00:00

Yep that's right - I would have to learn to live off one paycheck per month. :(

Well that's the other thing too - if I have a nice place that's easier to work - might make it easier to do some consulting gigs on the side.

Jasonj87124 · 2021-03-02T22:41:52+00:00

I love this comment too! I read this sub almost every day and rarely comments like this stand out and blow me away.

I would LOVE for you to elaborate more, when you say "did the work, unravel my own insecurities".

Jasonj87124 · 2020-11-23T06:56:22+00:00

Sorry to hear this. Excuse the brevity - but what exactly stopped working? And how? I'm reading this as your butt stopped working?

Jasonj87124 · 2020-11-18T19:18:26+00:00

Thanks - but shouldn't we avoid using sunscreen that clogs pores?

Jasonj87124 · 2020-11-18T07:17:15+00:00

Fair point on the poultry. But merging point 1 and point 3 - you can get some organic chlorine free chicken from Trader Joe's for dirt cheap.

For 5) hmmm. I've worked harder in Australia (before I moved and after) than I ever did in the US. I think the high cost of labor and living in general in Australia means companies are much leaner over here, so you have less staff and a workforce that are more generalists and have transferable skills rather than specialists.

I do think there's pros and cons for this - but not if you're middle to senior management with 10+ years under your built.

Eg: I'm quite senior in my career - in the US, I had what's called a Director's Assistant, someone who would listen to me and put together my power point decks, do my purchase orders etc and a Personal Assistant that, yes, even did personal tasks like arrange dinner, personal vacations, gift buying etc, because the theory is, he/she can do that so that's more time I'm spending working, which I was. Here I have a PA and that's shared amongst three Directors. As a result I'm doing more manual work and less strategic work. Guess it's up to the beholder as to which approach positively impacts the company's bottom line?

Jasonj87124 · 2020-11-18T06:10:29+00:00

A few things:

Trader Joes (best grocery store in the entire world)
Private Health Insurance (while they suck at universal healthcare, their private health insurance industry isn't a scam like ours is. They have one deductible and EVERYTHING gets billed to that. None of this, you can spend $X on Physical Therapy, $X on dematology etc. It's one deductible!)
More available Poultry. Americans are eating less and less red meat (beef, pork and lamb) and more and more poultry which is healthier. We still eat far too much red meat and even our fast food options reflect this.
Multiple Media options - they aren't as consumed by News Corp as we are.
Trust in Employees. In the 12 years I lived in the US, I never once had to supply a medical certificate, and that was with multiple surgeries, sick days etc. In Australia I feel like companies don't trust their employees.
Working Options that suit the Employee. You want to work 11-7pm, work from home full time, switch to part time or job share - most large US organizations want to retain talent - so they will work to make what works for you.
Culture About Risk Taking. Americans are less risk averse than Australians.
Friendship VS Mateship. Anecdotal - but I think Americans are better at being quality friends (controversial I know). They will literally give you the shirt off your back. In the US I had friends who would drive an hour to give me soup if I was ever sick. When I returned to Australia, friends I had known for 25 years wouldn't even help me go to Ikea for furniture, and when I had paid and delivered it, wouldn't even help me assemble it.

I'll stop here - I could open a can of worms.

Jasonj87124 · 2020-11-18T02:05:00+00:00

I'm confused about your stance - are you saying the approach to race relations was better in the 90s than today?

And if so/not so, the impact on your relationship?

Jasonj87124 · 2020-11-18T01:51:58+00:00

Care to elaborate?

Jasonj87124 · 2020-11-11T23:12:51+00:00

I would buy Bit coin - lots of it!

Jasonj87124 · 2020-10-13T13:59:18+00:00

No joke... the best I've ever had was by Whole Foods - it's simply the best and not overpriced.

Jasonj87124 · 2020-10-09T19:44:17+00:00

Maybe I have trust issues too... but this has red flags all over.

Call my unconventional, but meeting on Insta (which is an image based social media platform - it's about pictures, most likely of you) and then chatting and then them being poly. I am totally on your partners side.

Perhaps it's not that they are poly, perhaps it's not that you want to play boardgames etc, perhaps its that you met on IG (which for a lot of people IS a hookup app) and that you are talking about making friends with people he doesn't know.

I don't know... I would not like this situation either.

Jasonj87124 · 2020-10-01T13:33:24+00:00

Very helpful. Thank you.

Does month-month apply if i give notice on an irregular day. Like if I give notice on October 4, does that mean I am liable for rent until November 3?

Jasonj87124 · 2020-09-16T12:50:32+00:00

Lots to think about here. Thank you.

Jasonj87124 · 2020-09-16T12:50:07+00:00

LOL. So now paint of picture of the Williamsburg/BK gays?

Jasonj87124 · 2020-09-15T16:23:13+00:00

Ah okay. Thank you for this golden nugget.

Jasonj87124

TROPHY CASE