Help Those Affected by the Devastating Floods in Peru

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Since December 2016, rains have been beating down on Peru resulting in the worst flooding in 30 years. Mostly recently, catastrophic floods have hit northern Peru leaving hundreds of thousands affected. Piura River has flooded in banks. Having lived in Piura, I know how much rain can affect this desert. Nearly 100 people have died and 700,000 have been left homeless in 12 of the 25 regions. Thousands of kilometers of roads and crops have been swept away. Archeological sites have been affected as well which will in turn affect tourism.

Many organisations are raising money for Peru Flood Relief. Peruvian embassies and consulates are also helping out. Below you can find some places that are accepting donations.

• Children's Hunger Fund
• Convoy of Hope
• Direct Relief 
• Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C.
• Global Giving
• PADF
• Red Cross

You can also read more about the flooding at the following sites.

• BBC
• Los Angeles Times
• NBC News
• Reuters

 

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Trujillo - City of Culture and Contrasts

Trujillo, known as Peru's city of culture, is a lesser known city of Peru. After the capital - Lima - and Cusco, the jumping off point for Machu Picchu, there is usually a more vague notion of the other populated parts of Peru.

Lauded by the Lonely Planet, as "glamorously colonial", Trujillo is a delicious (quite literally) melting pot of culture, tradition, young,  and old.

Trujillo's Plaza de Armas is well-described, with brightly painted old colonial buildings surrounding a pristine main square, an impressive Cathedral, and palm trees swaying in the oceanic breeze.

To give a balanced account, I would have to mention the constant stream of taxis in and around the city.  There is a good and a bad side to this - when waiting more than 30 seconds for a taxi here, I find myself wondering if something is wrong...but they also contribute to the noise pollution in the city centre and many of the surrounding areas.

Since moving to Trujillo in March of this year with my family, I have often visited the centre to get a taste of 'old' Peru, as Trujillo is a fast developing city - the surrounding districts changing on an almost weekly basis as new businesses open and renovations are made.  

Most visitors to Trujillo only stop here for a few days on their way from or to Huanchaco, the fishing and surfing town about 20 minutes drive away. For these people, the historic centre of Trujillo has enough to keep them going, including a four star hotel (and plenty of hostels for backpackers).

Having lived here for 9 months now, I am still assimilating all that Trujillo has to offer. There is obviously more to the place than the centuries old buildings and the tours to the ancient ruins that tourists may add to their itinerary.

In the past ten years, so I am told, the city has expanded and developed at an incredibly fast pace - still, right now, there are apartment buildings going up all over the city.

There is a distinct culture here (one that I admittedly am still quite ignorant of) from Lima and the other cities further south - and I must do the best I can (with three children to raise) to learn about and assimilate into this culture, if my family and I are going to make Trujillo our long-term home.

The city has different personalities morning, noon, and night - completely different at night when more restaurants are open, music is blaring, and the market is bustling, compared to the morning, when it is possible to get to the centre and back in a taxi in twenty minutes. 

There are several universities in Trujillo - it is known as a university city, the buzz and energy of the young people adding to the character of the place.

Traffic here is nowhere near as bad as in Lima, but there are some spots around the city that snarl up in the early evenings.  It is around these times that the (very often) female police officers are marshalled to keep things moving, at work with a facial expression that only a woman could have.

My third son was born here in this city and his birth was registered in the Victor Larco Herrera municipal office, just metres away from the South Pacific Ocean.  

Locals are intrigued to see a very tiny Trujillano/Peruano when we are out walking locally with his Scottish and Canadian older brothers. We have been lucky to experience only very friendly and welcoming locals everywhere, who want to know why we are here and where we have come from.

Just a single glance at the local newspaper will tell you that there are the same problems here in Trujillo as there are in other cities, all over the world.

For now, I have seen just the surface of what this place is all about. There is a gravitation towards a North American culture, with two big malls of chain stores, a Starbucks in each. There seems to be a melding of cultures happening, and at the same time, something very distinct. 

Religious influences are still very strong, but subtle at the same time. Many homes display a rosary or a religious picture, while on Catholic holidays, the parks are still full and the streets busy.

From what I have seen so far, Peru is a child-loving place, and as well as open air religious festivals, children's events are everywhere, usually related to schools or nurseries, of which there are several all over the city.

And of course the weather (which is probably the factor I have overlooked the most since I got here) means so much is happening outside, all the time, every day. Just walking outside of my front door, there is a different view every day.

Alison is currently guest blogging for The Ultimate Peru List. She’s a freelance editor, writer, and craniosacral therapist. She lives in Trujillo, Peru with her husband and three sons.

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Guest Blogger on Location

Dear Readers,

During Sharon's break, I will be writing some posts on 'The Ultimate Peru List'. I'm Alison and I am on location in Trujillo, Peru.

I moved here with my family in March of this year. It has been an eventful year and we are still getting used to the wonders of Peru.

My husband and I and our two young sons are currently learning Spanish and we have been through the residency application process..(not without a border run to Ecuador)..and come out the other side!

There is a survey on the home page asking readers to suggest topics that you would like to read about, or specific questions that you would like answered.

Go ahead and suggest a topic, or comment on this post if there is anything burning you would like to know about Peru - especially how to survive as a new expat in Peru, as this is recent and firsthand experience that I have that may be useful to you.

Apart from that, I will be back soon with some posts about living in Trujillo and my experience so far.

Alison

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Important Passport Information for Dual Citizen Americans

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If you're like most people, you go straight to filling out the forms and don't both reading the directions. If you're applying for an American passport (Form DS-11) and are a dual citizen, not reading the directions could cause you serious problems. When you sign, you declare that all the information is correct under penalty of perjury.

What many people may not know is that on the 4th page there is a section called Acts Or Conditions.  The second paragraph talks various topics and one of them is about people who have acquired another citizenship after becoming an American citizen. If you have become a naturalised Peruvian citizen, then this pertains to you.

Completing the form by hand
If you're filling out the form by hand all you need to do is print the Acts Or Conditions section and cross out the information that pertains to you. So if you have become a citizen you would have to cross out the section that says, "been naturalized as a citizen of a foreign state". If you also took an oath of allegiance, then you would also cross out the section that states, " taken an oath or made an affirmation or other formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state".

After doing that, you will have to write an explanation. So if you acquired Peruvian citizenship, explain where and when you did it. You might also want to state that you have no intention of ever renouncing American citizenship.

If your name has changed, you will also have to write that information down as well. It doesn't matter why you changed your name: marriage, divorce, adoption, court orders, or naturalisation. They don't have much room for different names, so you might have to attach another piece of paper.

Completing the form online
If you're filling out the form online, you will have to do the same as if you were completing it by hand: print and cross out the information that doesn't pertain to you and then write an explanation.

If your name has changed, you will also have to write that information down as well. It doesn't matter why you changed your name: marriage, divorce, adoption, court orders, or naturalisation. There is only room for two different name changes on the online application. Although you can enter more than two, when you go to print, only two will show up. If you have more than two simply attach another piece of paper.

NB: I'll be taking a break from blogging at The Ultimate Peru List in July and August. While I'm gone you can take a look at my other blogs. New posts will be published starting in September. 

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How to Give Up / Renounce Peruvian Citizenship

Some foreigners decide to become naturalised Peruvian citizens. They move to Peru and Peru becomes their home. Sometimes Peruvians decide to leave Peru and sever all ties. One way to do that is by renouncing (or giving up) Peruvian citizenship. If you do this you will no longer be a Peruvian citizen and will have to hand your DNI and passport over to the embassy.

Usually to do this you will need to have another citizenship since being stateless is not something you should become unless there are dire circumstances. If that's the case, then what you usually need to do is go to another country and declare yourself as a refugee. Rules vary country to country.

Assuming that you already have another citizenship the process to renounce Peruvian citizenship is pretty straightforward. You have two choices: you can either do it at a Peruvian embassy/consulate abroad or in Lima at the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones aka migraciones. The information below was taken from the Chicago consulate's website:

• Bring your DNI (or Libreta Militar) and passport.
• Bring the solicitud to renounce Peruvian citizenship.
• Pay the fee.
• You'll be registered as wishing to renounce citizenship.

The time varies depending on whether you do it in Lima or abroad. If you're doing it abroad it varies on the embassy/consulate due to holidays and such, so be sure to ask. Keep in mind that just to get a DNI abroad it takes 2-3 months. So don't expect this to be instantanous. In addition, if you're giving up Peruvian citizenship in order to try to avoid being prosecuted for breaking the law, don't expect your request to be granted.

The information above it only for those over the age of 18. You're not allowed to renounce citizenship on behalf of a minor. If you aren't sure if you want to renounce Peruvian citizenship or if you're hoping your minor children will do it in the future, here are somethings you can do.

• First,change your DNI to show an address abroad so you won't be fined for not voting. 
• Secondly, cut ties with Peru: close bank accounts, sell property, don't visit, etc.
• Third, even though it might be tempting to destroy documents such as birth, marriage, or death certificates, or your DNI or passport: don't do it. Just keep them since destroying them could cause you legal problems. 
• Lastly, don't renew your DNI or passport. Simply let them expire. For all intents and purposes Peru won't be able to keep tabs on you and you can just disappear.

That's about it. It's a bit step to take, so make sure you're ready before you sign any papers.

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New Tourist Visa Regulations for Peru and Border Hopping

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Updated 5 April 2017

People love Peru so much that they don't want to leave! Unfortunately, some of them overstay their visa.

The Rumours
There were rumors that the $1 a day fine was going to increase to $5 a day. Here's info about the proposal.

"If passed, the new law will allow you up to 183 days in a 365 day period and the fine for overstaying is $5 a day. You can read all 18 pages of the law at El Peruano."

What Happened
The good news is that the law did NOT go into effect, but it did increase a bit. On Expatriates in Peru, Craig Ess asked about the fine on 16 September 2016.  It's $1.25 (yes, that's US dollars that they use since the sol historically isn't stable). Not only that, but there are no other penalties for overstaying, and you can pay, leave, and then come back 10 minutes later.

Visa changes happened in 2008. As a tourist, you are allowed up to 183 days at a time and then you can either border hop or pay the $1.25 a day fine once you leave. Some people have been known to bargain especially those who overstay their visa by years. Yes, years. I've known people to overstay by 1, 2 and even 7 years. While it's not ideal, it's still done.

If you're going to stay in Peru for years and year, make sure you see all the sites worth seeing!

NB: I'll be taking a break from blogging at The Ultimate Peru List in March. While I'm gone you can take a look at my other blogs. New posts will be published starting in April.

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3 Famous Companies with Peruvian Roots

Peru is famous for many things such as Pisco, asparagus, pima cotton, alpacas, the Incas, and Machu Picchu. Some companies are looking to Peru for inspiration and below you can find the results.

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Started in 2012, by a man who was backpacking through Latin America, this company wanted make quality shoes using  authentic materials made by local people. They use traditional Peruvian designs in their footwear. They believe in fair trade and give back through the OneShoeOneTree project as well as TreesForTheFuture.

They're trying to provide quality shoes while helping people and the environment in developing countries. You can read more about their story and see the shoes they have. You can buy their products directly from their website or Amazon.

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Created in 1976 by a mother and daughter team who was inspired by anthropology research on women in the Andean marketplaces. You can read more about the sweater that started it all.

They mainly have clothing made from alpaca, vicuna, and pima cotton. They also have jewelry, accessories, and things for the home. Unlike Inkkas which uses traditional designs, Peruvian connection uses modern designs not related to Peru. You can buy their products directly from their website.

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Founded in 1975, by a former Peace Corp volunteer, the word tumi means a ceremonial knife. Traditionally it was used to perform sacrifices in ancient Peru. However, nowadays, it is often hung in people's home for good luck.

Their quality black-on-black bags launched the company into fame in the 80s. While most of their products are bags and luggage, they also sell accessories. They take pride in their products' quality and each item goes through vigorous testing before it can be sold. You can buy their products directly from their website or from Amazon.

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Ley de Retorno: How the Peruvian Government is Trying to Get Peruvians to Come Back to Peru

One of my most popular posts of all time is how to get Peruvian citizenship. I thought this post might benefits Peruvians like me who have left. (I got citizenship in early 2009 and left in early 2010. I haven't been back since.) I saw a poster about the Ley de Retorno when I went to the embassy a bit ago here in Seoul. Since so many Peruvians have gone abroad and not come back, their human capital is diminishing. They're trying to do something to entice people to come back.

The complete name of the law is Ley de Reinsercion Economica y Social para el Migrante Retornado and is number 30001 and there are monetary and social benefits. For the monetary benefits there are no taxes on cars up to $30k, household goods up to $30k, instruments, machines, equipment, and capital assets up to $150k when you repatriate to Peru. For the social benefits, they will help you find loans, jobs, with certification, and assistance with psychological and social integration.

In order to qualify for the monetary benefits you must be a Peruvian who has lived abroad for at least 4 years. If you have to leave the foreign country due to immigration issues then they lower it to 2 years. For the social benefits you must be a Peruvian who has lived abroad for at least 3 years. If you have to leave the foreign country due to immigration issues then they lower it to 2 years.

You can find out more about this law on RREE, Ley de Retorno, Facebook, or leyderetorno@rree.gob.pe

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Renewing a Peruvian Passport vs Having a Peruvian Passport Issued

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One of my most popular posts of all time is how to get Peruvian citizenship. Getting a Peruvian passport (once you get citizenship) is a fairly straightforward process and they are valid for 5 years. If you're in Peru, you can get it within a day. Once you get your first passport, there are two options for the next passport you get: you can renew your current passport or having a passport issued. I personally always make sure my passports are valid. You never know when you will travel to Peru! And being a Peruvian will get you discounts at Machu Picchu.


There are different steps and outcomes for renewing a Peruvian passport whether you're in Peru or abroad.

• If you're in Peru, they will simply turn your passport over and open it up. On the last page they will add a new front page with your photo and data. 
• If you're abroad they will find the first blank page and put an ink stamp it in, wrote down the necessary information, and then put some postal stamps in it that represent the fee you paid. 
• The pros of this are that if you're abroad you don't have to wait 3 months for a new passport or get a new photo taken. This option is also a little bit cheaper than getting another passport. 
• The cons are that when you travel, immigration officers open up your passport and think it's expired. 

Having a Peruvian passport issued is the same as when you get your first passport. You will get a whole new passport.

• The pros are that you can update your photo and don't have to deal with confused immigration officers.
• The cons are that it's more expensive (by just a little bit) and that if you're abroad be prepared for it to take 3 months (more if there are holidays). 

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Tips for Taking Taxis in Peru

A Peruvian moto (epidemicfun.com)

Like combis, taxis, or ticos as they're somethings called, in Peru are often gutted and look like they're on their last legs. Metal's often missing and most of the components from the dashboard will probably have been taken out. Nontheless many people use them to get around and they can be a faster option than combis. If you're looking for an even cheaper option, consider motos. If you're going to take taxis there are a couple of things you should consider.

1. Call ahead of time. If you're worried about safety then call for a taxi. There are a handful of taxi companies out there, or find a taxi driver that you trust and can call when you need them.

2. Agree on the fare. Many taxis don't have meters. And if they do, they probably won't use it. Be sure to agree on the fare before you even get into the taxi. I actually prefer not using the meter as it's less likely that the driver will take you on the scenic route.

3. Text someone the license plate. You just never know, it's better to be safe than sorry. 

4. Speak Spanish. If you don't want to get the foreigner price you're going to have to speak Spanish. Learning a bit of the local language will help you out so much no matter where you go. It'll help you assimilate to the culture and you'll be able to communicate easier.

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Reader Request: Beware of Bricheros and Bricheras

Last year I wrote a post, Think Carefully Before Marrying a Peruvian,which quickly became one of the most popular posts of this blog (as are the posts about getting married and getting divorced).  I got a number of comments as well as emails from people asking for advice or just telling me their story.

For the record, I did meet a guy in Peru who I ended up marrying. I also struggled with being accepted by his friends and families due to some of the stereotypes surrounding foreigners who date Peruvians. He, in turn, fought against my friends thinking he was a brichero. However, we overcame that and after a while I got the paperwork together and we tied the knot in Piura. We both had stereotypes to work against. People thought I was with him because he was a "Latin lover" and people thought he was with me because I was his ticket out of Peru. Unfortunately, my marriage ended after nearly 8 years. Here's what I had to do to get a divorce in Peru.

From scenicreflections.com

How Stereotyping Works
It is my belief that stereotypes come about due to actual events that people hear about. For example, let's say that there's a country called Overthere. This country has a population of 1 million people and of these 1 million, 100,000 leave Overthere and travel around the world. While travelling around the world these Overthere-ians meet other people and they're always happy and smiling and telling people how wonderful Overthere is. So now let's generalise, or make a stereotype about Overthere. We're going to say that all Overthere-ians are happy because the Overthere-ians we had contact with were happy.

Got it? We had contact with a minority (10%) but we made a generalisation, or stereotype, about them as a whole. However, this works to their advantage, since they have a positive stereotype about them. Let's look at another example.

Our next example has to do with another made up country called Faraway. It's a small country with only about 100,000 people. Of these, 100 leave Faraway and travel around the world. While travelling, these Faraway-ians meet other people and are absolutely horrible. They bitch and moan about everything, are rude to people, as well as being loud, obnoxious and boisterious. Once again, we're going to create a stereotype about Faraway-ians and say that all Faraway-ians are downright rude, horrible people to be around. We created this stereotype based on a very small minority of the population, only 1%.

What does this mean? This means that even if the other 90% of Overthere-ians are horrible people, when people talk about Overthere-ians we will assume that they are nice people since the 10% of the Overthere-ians who left Overthere were nice. However, since 1% of the population of Faraway came across as rude, horrible people, we will assume that the other 99% of the population of Faraway is the same. As you can see, a small percentage of the population can make it or break it for everyone else.

What exactly IS a brichero or a brichera?
The word "brichero" is used for a man and "brichera" is used for a woman. Like the word "cholo / chola", it's slang that usually has a negative connotation. Some people say it's a Spanglish word that comes from the English word, "bridge". It refers to a person who targets foreigners and tries to make them fall in love so that they (the foreigners) serve as a bridge out of Peru. Other people say it's more sexual and comes from the word britches and insinuates that they're trying to get into your pants. Either way, foreign tourists are being targeted by these "busca gringos/as". They are out to cazar (hunt) and/or casar (marry). They might try to take you to bed, steal your money, plant drugs on you, use you for a visa, or get you to buy them things.

Bricheros usually go for English speaking foreigners (such as those from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand) and Europeans, usually British, French, Italian, or Spanish. They're trying to step up and move away from Peru. They don't often go for Asians or Africans for a couple of reasons. First, there are not that many tourists from these places as there are from places like the US or the UK. Second, these tourists tend to travel together in packs (ever seen a group of Japanese tourists?). Thrid, Peruvians aren't as familiar with these countries as they are with others. Lastly, Peruvians (like other people who immigrate) want to go to a place where they can find other Peruvians.

People think of bricheros and bricheras as people who don't have that much money and want a chance to make it in another country. They come across as Latin lovers or casanovas. In Peru, they often stick to touristy areas such as La Plaza de Armas in Cusco, the ombligo (bellybutton) of the world. They also have a decent grasp on English or another foreign language. Not sure how to find out? They stick out. Have a blond woman stand in the middle of the plaza and watch to see who approaches her. They're good-looking and suave. They come across very well, but they have hidden motives.

Blend in for your safety and peace of mind
As a foreigner, you may or may stick out. Physically, there's little you can do. If you're tall and blond, you're going to stick out. However, you can modify the clothes you wear, how you act, what you do, and what you say. Blending in while travelling abroad will also help make you less of a target for pickpockets and thieves. One tip to remember is that speaking Spanish will help you greatly. You can  refuse to tell them where your from or get the police involved if necessary. If you don't know Spanish, now's the time to learn. It'll help you assimilate to the culture, and you'll be able to communicate easier. If you're looking to learn Spanish Rosetta Stone allows you to learn at your own pace.

More info on bricheros:

• Brichero en Cusco by Portal-Peru (youtube)
• Cazador de Gringas (in Spanish)
• Cuzco Eats: Bricheros, Backpackers, and Hippies 
• Gowanus Books: An Interview with Mario Guevara
• Key2Cusco: Bricheras & Bricheros

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Reader Request: Alternatives to Teaching English in Peru

From livingthai.org

Updated: 16 June 2014

While many people who come to Peru end up teaching English, there are lots of other things that you can do.

Many foreigners have set up businesses overseas. There are foreign owned language schools, bookstores, bars, and everything in between. Below are ways you can make money off line. Business Ideas dot net also has a lot of ideas. If you're going to offer products and services you usually have two choices: sell other people's stuff (and get a commission or buy wholesale and sell resale) or sell your own stuff. 

Remember that speaking Spanish will help you greatly if you're trying to start a business in Peru, whether big or small. You'll be treated differently than if you speak English all the time, it'll help you assimilate to the culture, and you'll be able to communicate easier.

Some do it legally and others work under the table. Some countries make it super easy to start a business, others have a high investment requirement and lots of paperwork, which is why people work under the table. Chances of getting caught are often slim though. If you're looking to make money online, check out the article I wrote about making money online.


Art: Sell what you create or teach classes. Check out what Anajali does.

Babysitting Service: Charge a monthly fee, annual fee, and / or a booking fee in addition to an hourly fee.

Baby Stuff: People are always having babies!

Bake: People love homemade goodies.

Bar: There's no doubt that English teachers like to drink. If you're going to set up a bar, you'll have to go the legal route though. Look at what Old Pub and Wolfhound have done. 

Beauty: Hairstyles, makeup, and more

Bookstore: There's always a demand for English books. Look at what Confederate Bookstore and What the Book have done.

Childbirth Educator: People are always having babies and you can help them learn about the options available to them. Look at what Tender Embrace Birthing does.

Children's Classes: Music, dance, crafts, are all great activities for kids.

Clothing: You can cater to kids or adults.

Cook: People always miss food. If you can cook you could try catering or even shipping ready to made meals. Look at what 6th Floor Cafe does.

Cooking classes: Teach people how to make the local dishes. Look at O'ngo.

Course Book Writer / Materials Writer: You can try to approach big name publishers (like Longman, Oxford, Cambridge, or MacMillan), local publishers, or chains.

Crafts: You could sell items you've made or teach people how to make things.

Dance: Teach dance classes.

Doula: Doulas have been proven to help women in labour. More and more families are hiring them.

Ebook: Write an ebook, You can even set up an affiliate scheme.

Editing / Proof-reading: Although getting a position at Oxford or Cambridge University Press might be difficult there are plenty of local publishers that would welcome a native speaker to help them out.

EFL / ESL Examiner: IELTS or Cambridge examiner. Recruitment information packs for applicants can be downloaded from the British Council and the Cambridge website.

Exam Writer: Someone's got to write the exam questions, so it might as well be you. Cambridge, IELTS, Michigan, and TOEFL are the big exams, so try contacting them for more info.

Facebook: Creating fan pages or writing content for them is possible if you're good with words.

Food: Sell items that expats want, like cereal, cheese, or chocolate. Look at what High Street Market and Fat Bag do. You could also export local foods like Afex Peru does.

Foreign exchanges: Help foreign students who come over to study. Check out what CCCAsia does.

Foreign goods: Although iherb is pretty reasonable, you could sell other items, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, etc.

Group classes: They could be in your home or you could rent out a small office.

Homestays: People who host students in their homes can be paid pretty well. You will probably also have to cook for them and may have to do their laundry.

Hostel: Open up a hostel. Look at Hostel Trail in Ecuador.

Interior Decorating: From giving advice about major revamps to the little details.


Language Institute: You could open up an English institute or better yet, open up one that teaches the local language to foreigners. Look at what El SOL does.

Magazine: Start an English magazine.

Newspaper: Start an English newspaper.

Organise classes: Find a teacher and a venue and organise a class. Charge people a registration fee for your services. Some people have organised CPR and first aid classes and charged $20 for the registration fee which is in addition to the teacher's and venue's fees.

Photographer: Many people want a professional photographer to capture moments such as an engagement, wedding, birth, or their children.

Private Students: Try to find a niche, whether it be teaching kids, Business English, exam prep, etc. Look here to find out how to teach private students

Property, see rental income.

Recruit Teachers: Check the local laws and immigration requirements. Your best bet might be setting up a business back in your home country. You'll have to establish contacts and might have to make guarantees (recruiters often promise to replace a teacher for free if they leave within six months). Most recruiters can earn up to one month of the teacher's salary for each teacher they place.

Rental Income: Houses in other countries may be cheaper than at home.Put the full downpayment on a property, keep it mortgaged, and use an agent to manage it. Buy a couple properties since it's better to have 4 properties with the tax advantages and rise in value than tying all your capital up in one property that just generates rent with no expenses to offset the income. Dmocha from Dave's ESL Cafe says that you may be able to get tax breaks for property as far as interest, improvements, and agent's fees go. Look at what Apartment Club Peru does.

Sell stuff: Buy low, sell high.

Sports: You can teach classes, such as yoga.

Subbing: Contact schools and ask to be put on their sub list.

Teacher: Teach other subjects like martial arts, visual arts, drama, sports, yoga, meditation, photography, childbirth education, or school subjects. The possibilities are limitless.

Teacher Training: If you've got the quals and experience try contacting intensive TEFL course providers. Some may have weekend courses or may need trainers during the breaks. Check out what Kagan Korea does.

Toiletries: Natural soaps, butters, and oils are in high demand.

Tour Guide: Being an English tour guide is a good way to earn extra money during the high season. You can give tours when you have time. You can have set prices or do free tours with donations like Guided Bucharest.

Translating: Contact local businesses and offer your services or put an advert up on Craigslist. Here's a list of where to advertise your translation services.

Traveling with students: Organise trips for students. They can be daytrips to local places or even longer trips overseas. If you get enough students together, you could take them back to your home country for a vacation where they could study and learn about the culture first-hand.

Workshops: Lots of publishers offer training sessions so contact publishers and ask if they can put you on their list.

Writer: Write a book or article, online or in print.

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Reader Request: I'm Going to Live in Peru Forever!

From dogwalkmusings.blogspot.com

Updated 20 October 2017

It's not uncommon for me to get emails from people who say that they want to live in Peru forever, but don't know how to do it. It's usually accompanied by statements saying that someone (their husband / wife / partner / boyfriend / girlfriend / fiance / fiancée) is living in Peru / going to move to Peru and they'll get married and live happily ever after. More often than not the person emailing me has never been to Peru or has spent less than two weeks there.

Keep in mind that marriage is no longer forever. Divorce rates are high enough between people from the same culture let alone those from different cultures. The good news is that there are alternatives to residency besides marriage.
Differences in culture can also wreck havoc on cross-cultural partnerships. There's a reason why I wrote think carefully before marrying a Peruvian and that's it's one of the top 5 posts on my blog.

Moving is hard but it can be even harder if you move to a different country, don't speak the language, or if you don't have a job waiting for you. More often that not people end up begrudgingly teaching English. While there are other options than teaching English in Peru, they do take time to set up. If you do decide to to move to Peru, definitely take time and read the advice that other long-term expats have written.

While there are plenty of people that do end up living in Peru forever, just remember to keep your options open. Don't limit yourself to one country. Take things in stride and realise that there are many things beyond your control.

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Visa Fees for Latin America

If you're in Peru chances are you're going to want to travel to other countries nearby. Keep in mind that you'll probably end up paying visa / entry fees. Here's some info on what those are.

• Boots N All: they tell you how to legally get out of paying the fees. 
• The Last Day of the Incas: an epic story that can't be missed
• Matador Network: guide for Americans.
• Peruvian culture: culture, history, and more.
• Project Visa: (Their info for Peru is wrong: says you can only get 90 days when it was changed to up to 183 days quite a while ago. Be sure to double check their info.)
• Latin America Spanish phrasebook: lots of good travel info. 
• South American Living: info about Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay.  
• Turn Right at Machu Picchu: A New York Times best seller about rediscovering the lost city one step at a time
• Wikipedia World Wide Guide: has to be included in the list

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101 Reasons to be Proud of Peru

Published in 2008, this book is a compilation of over 2500 reader responses to the question, "what makes you proud of Peru?"

Created by the team at Living in Peru this book is available in a PDF version or in print. You can find more info about how this project got started in this article or at 101Peru. It's available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese.

You should also learn more about Peruvian culture if you're going to be spending time in Peru. Learning about culture and customs can help you a lot.

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Culture Shock, General Info, and Maps of Peru

Updated 1 July 2017


In theory, you should carry your passport with you wherever you go. I would recommend caring photocopies or legalised copies instead. It’s unlikely that you will get stopped, but ID checks may happen on buses between cities. If you do get stopped and don’t have ID, you have a few choices:

• Speak to them in English. This will usually make them leave you alone.
• Pretend you didn’t know that you needed ID.
• Lie and say that your school, embassy, etc has it.

However, you should know that by law the police can take you to the police station and keep you there until they figure out who you are. People who obviously look like foreigners may be stopped. I know of foreigners who have been stopped without ID and they’ve never needed to bribe the police. They simply explained the situation and the police move on to the next person.

Some people choose to register with their consulate or embassy and by doing this receive updates on situations, such as strikes or holidays. It's usually not required and is up to you whether you decide to register or not.

General Information

• CIA
• DK Eyewitness Travel Guide
• Fodor's 
• Frommer's
• Lonely Planet
• US State Department (See Countries and Regions)
• If you're coming from the UK, try the FCO website.

There is no Daylight Savings Time. Electricity is 220v and 50/60 cycles. Sockets are fitted to accept both flat and round plugs. The metric system is used except for gasoline, which is measured in gallons.

Every neighbourhood has a local park, but be aware of traipsing through the grass and it is usually just for looking at, rather than playing on.

Laundry can either be done by hand (most building have a place to wash clothes on the roof), at home with a washing machine, or sent out to be done. Local laundries are all over the place. There are coin laundries and those where you leave your clothes and they put them through the machines for you. The second usually charges by the kilo. Driers are also at laundries, but most homes do not have them, instead, they put their clothes outside to dry.

All furnishings that you need can be bought here. There is a cheap furnishing market in Villa El Salvador, but it’s quite far from away. You could also try going to Plaza Hogar in Angamos in Surquillo. Both places have hand made furniture at good prices. You could always buy furniture at department stores such as Ripley’s or Saga.

Peruvian Holidays

• January 1- New Year’s
• February 2-Candlemas
• February- Carnival
• March/April- Holy Week
• May 1- Labour Day
• June- Corpus Christi
• June- St. John the Baptist Day
• June 29- St. Peter and St. Paul Day
• July 16-Virgen of Carmen
• July 28/29- Independence Days
• August 30- St. Rosa of Lima
• October 8- Battle of Angamos
• October 18- Lord of Miracles / Mes Morado
• November 1- All Saint’s Day
• November 2- All Soul’s Day
• November 5- Puno Day
• December 8- Immaculate Concepcion
• December 25- Christmas

Here is a website that explains more about Peruvian holidays.

Maps
The library of the University of Austin Texas has a great online map collection. The Peruvian Instituto Geografico Nacional also has a variety of maps, including maps for driving. More info can be found in Latin American Links. The American and Canadian Association in Peru also has information regarding Peru.

Good street maps for Lima, can be found in Planos de Lima and Guia Calles. As well as at Telefonica (go to planos). Lima 2000 also has some for various cities in Peru.

Culture Shock
Moving to another country can be difficult, but there are some things that can help you make the adjustment. There are many books on how to deal with culture shock. Even if you speak Spanish, you’ll find yourself going through culture shock. It starts with fascination with everything and seeing things through rose coloured glass and then goes to not being able to accept anything. Though people usually grow to accept things over time, even with years in Peru, small things might still frustrate you, but with time and effort, you can get over culture shock. Learning the language is probably one of the most important steps you can take. 

Culture shock can be difficult to deal with. The best thing to do is to be aware of culture shock and how to deal with it. Having pictures from home, talking to people in your native language, talking a walk in the park, or even sleeping can all help with culture shock. Remember, that although you may be experiencing culture shock, you still need to be a respectful traveller. Read, Respectful Travel: Look Mommy, A Gringo! for more info. The following websites can give you more insight on culture shock and how to deal with it.

• Dealing with Culture Shock from TEFL Tips.
• Julia Ferguson
• Living in Another Country
• Moving to Another Country
• Planet ESL
• SDSU
• Student Services at WISC

Latin America is known for its laid back lifestyle, but this could be too much of a good thing. This lackadaisical attitude meaning that planning is thrown out the window and things are done in a slipshod manner. This goes for roads, bridges, buildings as well as the future, such as planning for retirement. However, you have to take things into stride and try to understand more about Peruvian culture.

In addition, it means that laws are shades of grey rather than black and white. Some people like this because it means they can overstay their visa easily and just pay $1.25 a day fine. Some who have overstayed their visa for weeks, months, or even years have even bargained down the fine. In the long run, this hurts people who want to stay here legally since fewer employers want to get their employees visas since they know that working on a tourist visa isn't that bad. This in turn causes laughable wages, zero benefits, and no chance for things to get better in the future.

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Peruvian People and History

Updated 1 July 2012 


Peru is very diverse, here you can find many people of Chinese and European descent. Contrary to facts, some Peruvians, especially those from the mountains, are blonde-haired and blue-eyed. In bigger cities, many people will have studied English, so they might be able to help you. Reading up on the Peruvian history and culture is interesting and will help you a lot.

However, you should still try to learn some Spanish so that you can get by. You'll be treated differently than if you speak English all the time, it'll help you assimilate to Peru, and it'll be easier to talk to the immigration officers.

Please remember, that although you may be experiencing culture shock, you still need to be a respectful traveller. Read, Respectful Travel: Look Mommy, A Gringo! for more info.

Many Peruvians are short compared to North American and European standards, however, they are much thinner than a typical American. Be aware that if you’re tall you will probably stand out.

Peruvians are very open people who enjoy socializing. Family plays an important part in their lives. Some people still work 10 hours a day and may work half a day on Saturday, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t have time to relax. Personal space is much closer here, so don’t move back if people stand close to you. When meeting, men will hug or shake hands with other men. Women will give an air kiss on the right cheek when meeting men or women. Time here is flexible. For example, if you meet a friend, they will show up 15-30 minutes late. And when going to parties, people will show up about 2 hours late. If you go out with friends that they saw “te invito”, it means that they will pay for you. Don’t try to split the bill, simply pay for them the next time you go out.

In general, Peruvians are more formal and will more often than not say “buenos días” if they enter a shop or a room with people. This means that shorts and halter tops aren’t common here. You may see Peruvians wearing these types of clothes, but they will get looks, whistles and catcalls.

People here tend to get married young, and unfortunately some get pregnant first and then get married. So this means that many married couples have a few children after being married for a short time. If you’re in your mid-twenties or above and single, you’ll probably be asked when you plan on getting married. If you’re married with no children, you’ll be asked when you plan on having children.

Peruvians Abroad

• Peruanos en el Extranjero
• Peru Info

History
Most people know that the Incas lived in Peru and left behind many cultural artifacts (such as Machu Picchu) and then the Spanish came and conquered them. Peruvians finally won independence because of San José de San Martín. Alan Garcia caused the economy to plummet in the 1980s and has just won re-election. Alberto Fujimori held control of the country for 10 years in the 1980s-1990s, making Peru a dictatorship. Recently they’ve had border problems with Chile and Ecuador. There are a number of good books about Peruvian history, such as the New York Times Best Seller: Turn Right at Machu Picchu and The Last Day of the Incas.  Some sites that have history are:

• Islas Palomino
• Muni Callao
• Muni La Punta
• Region Callao

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Safety in Peru

Updated 1 May 2014

Your opinion of the safety in Peru depends on your experiences, your physical appearance, and the way you behave. In Lima the tourist police speak English, so if you have a problem, you can call them on 3133773.

General Tips
In general, if you look and act like a gringo, you are probably at a higher risk to be robbed than those who don’t. Don’t carry your passport or lots of money with you. Same goes for credit cards or important documents. Also, don’t flaunt expensive items, such as fancy cameras. Make a copy of your passport and carry that with you if you like, though it’s not necessary. Ask the restaurant staff to get you a cab or call one. Keep bags near you. Be careful in crowds. Dress down. Do not carry all your money and ID in the same place. Make yourself bigger: swing your arms when you walk. I also hook my thumb around my purse's shoulder straps and stick my elbow out and swing the opposite arm, anyone coming too close gets elbowed or hit with my swinging arm.

Terrorism
Terrorist attacks on the USA and UK have shown use that in this day in age, terrorism can happen anywhere. Peru has a bad rapt because of some problems with The Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso and MRTA Movimiento) and Revolucionario Tupac Amaru.

They both led a number of terrorist attacks in the 80s and 90s. However, the leaders and most terrorists have been caught and have been in prison since 1992, so there is not much to worry about.

At home
Safety tends to be a concern for anyone moving to a new country. Here in Peru, homes usually have walls around them and may also have a neighbourhood security guard. Windows on the first couple of floor usually have bars on them and doors have a couple of locks. All this security does not mean that Peru is not safe. It’s just a safety precaution.

In a car / on a bus
You'll also have to be careful when you're in a car. Here are some things to remember. Put things in the trunk or under the seat. Roll up your window. Don’t buy things at intersections. Don’t use mobile while driving. If someone bumps you from behind, do not get out of your car. Go to the police station if necessary. If a police officer stops you, don’t get out of your car, insist on going to the nearest police station. You can find more safety info about transport in getting around.

Beggars
Beggars are another matter. Unfortunately, beggars are a common scene here. You will see country people, old people and children as young as 2. You can either give them money or not. If you give them money, it should only be about 10 or 20 centimos. Also, have the money ready and easily accessible, in a pocket separate from your bills. You don’t want to be taking out your wallet when you give money to beggars. If you don’t want to give them money, simply ignore them. They may follow you and pull on your clothes. Be careful of their little hands that reach into pockets.

Common Tricks
As always, it's better to be safe than sorry. Being aware of scams will help you be alert. Below are some scams that are commonly used.

• Distractions: One scam is when someone puts something, like ketchup on you, and while you’re cleaning it off, another robs you.
• Making you take a taxi: People will try to get you into taxis. Don't get into taxis with unknown people, no matter what they tell you.
• I was downtown in a nice area looking for flights in travel agencies. As I left one another woman left after me. When we were outside she asked if I was looking for flights. I said yes. She said she worked for a travel agency. I asked for her card. She didn't have one with her. She then offered to take me to the travel agency in a taxi. I said thanks and walked away. 
• Another way to get you into a taxi is posing as someone from a business. I got a call from some at my bank. She said that they were having a breakfast in order to ask me my opinion about the bank. She wanted to get info from me, such as where I lived, what I did, etc. Don't give out info over the phone, even if they say that they are from a place where you have accounts. She told me that the breakfast was free and a taxi would be provided. I then called the bank and they said they there was no breakfast. People inside the bank or company sell info to others, that's how they know you're a customer there.
• Peasant won the lottery: Another ploy is the "ignorant peasant who won the lottery." A campesino  wanders up to strangers, carrying a note he can't read. The note says "this guy has a winning lottery ticket" or an insurance judgment, or something else that means he's going to get a lot of money...but he needs help with the bureaucracy, as he can't read. To help him make his claim, and receive a share, take him to _______ (A street address.) Don't. If you can, when you run into these people, talk to the police, security guards, or locals who can arrange to move him on out of your neighborhood.
• Take a survey: Be sure to be street smart. Don't answer surveys on the street if they ask for personal details, or a signature.
• Shine your shoes?: Be aware of shoe shine boys. They will charge you much more than they say and if you refuse to pay they will gang up on you.
• ATM safety: When you use an ATM, be aware of who’s near you. Often women will try to get your card, money or PIN number. You can find more safety info about banks in money matters.

These are just some of the ploys, I'm sure there are more. Always be aware. One reason why foreigners usually fall into their traps is because they’re busy looking at the tourist attractions.

Emergency numbers

• Fire 115
• Police 105
• Alcohol Anonymous 442-9412
• Family Planning 442-7440
• Family Violence 261-1556
• Child Labour 261-8562

It’s also helpful to know the number of your local police station and you can find this information in Paginas Amarillas by looking under Comisaria. Your neighbourhood may also have a neighbourhood watch, or Serenazgo that you can also call in case of emergency.

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