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to the perunas and guys with peruana novias who follow this board. We have been traveling around Peru and I have found the difference (from Colombia) in the number of beautifull women one sees on the street, in stores and even airline stewardeses to be stunning. We've spent time in Miraflores (Lima), Huancayo (I like that place) and now Cuzco (horrible place! More commercial than Times Square) and I've been hard put to spot any of the knockouts that you see routinely in Exito, Super Ley etc. My wife though prejudiced she may be agrees. An aside though, it's such a relief to be able to travel freely around the country without feeling you have to hide in the back of the bus and cross your fingers you don't run in to a "reten". And another, I don't reccomend you bring a calena here. My wife has just about gone berserk over the cold. Some jerk here told her it goes down to zero C and she could baely sleep worring about it. Ok Peruphiles go ahead and box my ears.

... in response to Apologies in advance..., posted by Cali vet on Aug 23, 2003

CV,

You've convinced your wife to go hiking with you on your wild excursions, great job!  Safe Travels buddy. -TNC

... in response to Apologies in advance..., posted by Cali vet on Aug 23, 2003

I'm not going to box your ears, Calivet.  You're entitled to your opinion.

On my last trip I thought the women of Arequipa were the best looking I've seen in Peru. There is a STRONG indigenous influence in the population in Peru which I imagine is lacking in Colombia. If you only see beauty in the European look, Peru may not be the place for you. I have been up in the mountains with Quechua-speaking people and I like their look, it's just different.

If you are looking for a life partner, I DO recommend Peru, because as Red Clay mentioned, they are very sweet, loyal, feminine and trustworthy. I read about the experiences of guys on this and the other boards and I thank God for the woman I found. She has never once treated me badly, tried to take advantage of me, asked for money, etc. And I think she's gorgeous; what anyone else thinks doesn't concern me.

Calivet, I am surprised at your comment about Cuzco being more commercial than Times Square. There are a lot of street vendors and hawkers standing in front of restaurants and clubs, but that's only in the center. I found the variety of foreign-owned and operated restaurants there a relief from having to worry about what I eat in Peruvian places. I always get sick down there, but I haven't heard anything mentioned about the food and water in Colombia. (Colombia gets a point, if anyone is counting.) I thought the Plaza de Armas ranks with any Plaza in Europe, the cathedral has so much gold in it they don't let you take pictures, the ruins are like many Roman ruins I've seen: they give a good idea of what it was like, but not a complete picture. Cuzco does attract a lot of New Age quackery.  There's an interesting ruin above Cuzco called Qenqo. It's a religious cite carved into a solid rock. In the center is an altar and when I was there a European woman was guiding 3 gringos to lay down and absorb the vibes or whatever from the stone. That stuff bugs me: Lady, it's a ROCK!! And it didn't do the Incas any good, did it? (In Cajamarca, you can see where the Spaniards captured the Inca. Pizarro's 200 or so men killed 8000 Inca warriors in one day!)

The weather in Peru is unlike anything I've run into. The tropical zones are east of the Andes in the Amazon basin, and on the coast only near Ecuador. The West coast is dry, drier or driest, starting at the Ecuador border. By the time you reach the Chilean border, you are in the Atacama desert, the driest in the world. It's so dry that Peru has hundreds of mummies preserved by the lack of moisture. But off the coast is a large trench and the currents come from Antarctica. The cold water hits the dry, warm air and produces the garúa, a fog-like mist that covers Lima for months at a time. Some plants have adapted to live solely on its moisture. I find the cliamte of Lima depressing, but it never really gets colder than 40 something fahrenheit. What really surprised me is the climate up in the mountains. If you go up in altitude, you get sunshine! The nights can be cold like in Cuzco, but at 12,000 ft it rarely snows!

I'm not interested in starting a flame war over which country is better or which has the prettier women. I'm sure Colombia is beautiful and that the women are too. I just happened to know someone there and so I went to Peru first. Otherwise, I'm sure I would have gone to Colombia first. The deomgraphics are different between the 2 countries so it just comes down to preference.

... in response to A peruphile speaks..., posted by surfscum on Aug 23, 2003

Since I am hearing so many good things about Peru, I was wondering if there are any agencies there. Doesn't TLC go there?

Zack

... in response to Re: A peruphile speaks..., posted by zack on Aug 23, 2003

Don't know if that agency does or not. SOTB does, but their tours are kind of expensive and I'm pretty sure just the 'middle man' for whatever agency is really there. Why not look through Patrick's agency links? I think there is one (or two) in Peru, just can't remember which one. Some of the address seller agencies have ladies from Peru, I know SOTB has quite a few and I think AFA does as well.

... in response to Re: Re: A peruphile speaks..., posted by Michael B on Aug 23, 2003

I went to Patrick's agency search link and did an agency search under the "Peru" heading, and got nothing. I skimmed throught the long list of Colombian agencies and didn't find anything that stood out, but I was only looking at the agency names.

Zack

... in response to Re: Re: Re: A peruphile speaks..., posted by zack on Aug 24, 2003

Zack,
There don't appear to be too many agencies in Peru. You are right that from time to time TLC has a tour there. However, check out this one:

http://www.matchingsys.com/about.html

I think Mudd was going to check into them on his upcoming trip down there. There are also several comments about this agency in the archives.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: A peruphile speaks..., posted by zack on Aug 24, 2003

I just did a Yahoo search for "peru & 'marriage agency'" and got 2800+ hits....granted, not all of them run tours, some of them may be out of business, etc. etc. but give it a try, bound to be some you can use. Are you looking to buy addresses, take a 'tour' or use a 'meet the ladies one-on-one' agency? Some companies do all three, some only run a 'tour' once or twice a year, some (in fact most) only sell addresses. Might take you a few hours of computer time going through all 2800 hits to find a couple af agencies that meet your needs, but that's life. Maybe some other guy will see this thread and say 'I went to XYZ agency, they were pretty good' and save you some time.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: A peruphile speaks..., posted by Michael B on Aug 24, 2003

I'm not planning a trip to Peru any time soon. After reading the recent posts about Peru I was just curious as to the agencies there. But I may go there down the road, and if I do, I would prefer the one-on-one agencies if there are any. There must be some considering you got 2800+
hits on your search.

Zack

... in response to A peruphile speaks..., posted by surfscum on Aug 23, 2003

Surf my comments regarding Peruvian beauties were admittedly simplistic but at least they inspired you to write a very informative and most interesting critique of the country. Other than dreary Lima I really like what I've seen of the country so far and truth be told if my wife were willing (fat chance with this weather, the altitude and the fact she already has food poisoning) I wouldn't mind trying it for a year or so. Looking forward to Arequipa later this week. As to Cuzco I'm afraid I just gagged on the tireless hawking and endless artesanias and silver stores. Also I'd venture there are more foriegners here than in the entire country of Colombia. Your experiences in Peru sound great and I'm glad you shared them. I hope to return my self but it will probobly have to be alone or with a buddy.

... in response to Re: A peruphile speaks..., posted by Cali vet on Aug 23, 2003

n/t

... in response to A peruphile speaks..., posted by surfscum on Aug 23, 2003

Give us some background here, how long much time did you spend there, and WTF were you doing there - everything you've posted so far is a click on a search engine.  Not bashing you, just give us some substance, I'd like to believe this and a "Machu Picchu" report would be great.

... in response to Googlephile speaks..., posted by cancunhound on Aug 23, 2003

Cancunhound, I promise I will post lots of details. I have just been hoping to do it on a website since I took lots of photos. But a quick synopsis is that I had friends in Peru who had lived there for 15 years and were about to leave last summer. I went down to Ecuador, saw the Galapagos, got sick and went to stay with my friends in Lima.  While there I wrote to 25 women through Blossoms.com and meet them over the next few weeks. I travelled with my friends to Huaraz and beyond to Huari, where they had been living with the locals (and just like the locals) for 13 years until their son couldn't take the altitude. Returned to Lima, hung out with my girlfriend, saw some of the other sights to the south of Lima: Paracas, Nasca. Came back to the states and have been trying to get an IT consulting business going. I've been back now 3 times and I proposed the last time and now am about to start the K1 paperwork.

You're scepticism is welcome, and so are any questions about Peru. I'm no expert, but I have spent some time there and know other, more knowledgeable people.

... in response to Googlephile speaks..., posted by cancunhound on Aug 23, 2003

Ok Machu Pichu tomorrow and report to follow.

... in response to A peruphile speaks..., posted by surfscum on Aug 23, 2003

Surf,
Could you expand a bit more about your Arequipa experience? How did you go about meeting ladies there, what is the level of interest, motivation from the ladies?

I have seen a few very attractive ladies from Arequipa listed on a few sites, but am curious to know the level of interest, their education, etc.

I live in a cool climate, so weather is one factor I keep in mind when looking for a lady.

... in response to Re: A Peruphile speaks....., posted by NW Jim on Aug 23, 2003

I've got a friend in SF who has been married a lady from Arequipa for several years. Send me a private and I'll put you in touch with them.

... in response to Re: A Peruphile speaks....., posted by NW Jim on Aug 23, 2003

Jim, I can´t tell you much since I was there with my Limeña. It used to be called the White City, not just because of the volcanic stone, but also because of the purity of the Spaniards who once lived there. It looks very integrated now. People seem approachable there, as they generally are in Peru, but I would guess the women are more conservative. I also think some spanish is required for you to meet them.

Arequipa is at 8200 ft and sits on a desert plain bordered by volcanoes. It was sunny and warm when we were there, and only dropped down to 55 at night. A newspaper ad would be my first attempt to meet women there. Sorry I couldn't tell you more.

... in response to A peruphile speaks..., posted by surfscum on Aug 23, 2003

Mi Pirana is impressed with your knowledge of the country.

... in response to Re: A peruphile speaks..., posted by Red Clay on Aug 23, 2003

does that make us piraños?

Thanks Red, I needed that laugh.

... in response to Apologies in advance..., posted by Cali vet on Aug 23, 2003

probably true, colombia might have more "models" walking around on the street, but from what i have met on the internet, their are some really good looking women in Peru, and a lot of them speak english, which is rare in colombia. i will be there next week, hopefully!!!!! since you are already married :-) ill give an honest report from someone who is still looking, comparing the two. how cold was the weather in Lima?

... in response to Re: Apologies in advance..., posted by mudd on Aug 23, 2003

I left Lima 8/5 and it was the coldest I have experienced there. That was the morning I had to be at the airport at 4-dark-thirty and of course I had packed my jacket. I'd say it was 45, but that is unusual.  During the day, it averages between 55-60 and nights 5-10 degrees cooler. It sometimes drizzles; I've yet to see it rain. When it's 60 out I'm comfortable just wearing a polo; it drives my fiance nuts. All the locals are going around in 2-3 sweaters and coats.

Cali Vet, if you have time on your last day, go to Petit Thouars in Miraflores.  There are 2 blocks of artesania stores and you can find just about anything you've seen elsewhere in the country. I always hit it my last day. The sweaters are beautiful and I'm stocking up on my supply of alpaca blankets: softer and thinner than wool, but just as warm.

It's tragi-comic that Cuzco probably has more tourists than all Colombia.  I hope that changes soon.  In fact, the Shining Path is starting to have a presence again, so who knows? Maybe Peru won't be so safe in the future?

BTW, have you tried the chicha morada? It's DELICIOUS!  But look out for that chicha de jora! ;-O If you have time your last day in Lima, go to El Senorio del Surco. It's a high-class restaurant about 2 blocks north of Larcomar on the coast. They make everything the traditional way from scratch. You WON'T be disappointed, I promise. I've seen posts about a crepe place in Cali I think; there's one in Miraflores: Palachinke. It's excellent. If you want ceviche, go to Don Beto's, also in Miraflores. They serve the scallops with a red sack attached that we don't see up here, so ask for it "sin coral." Maribel, my fiance, won't eat ceviche in the evening; is it that way for Colombians too?

... in response to Re: Apologies in advance..., posted by mudd on Aug 23, 2003

I'd say sixties but never saw a thermometer or tv in the hostel (Yolanda in Miraflores) we stayed at.

... in response to Apologies in advance..., posted by Cali vet on Aug 23, 2003

Going in the middle of winter might have something to do with the cold.

Probably more hotties in Colombia than Peru, although Peru has more than enough for everyone here. What the Peruanas might lack in numbers of hotties, they more than make up for in reputation of their women as being sweet, sincere and trustworthy, moreso than certain other countries. Peruanas don't generally have a very high opinion of Colombianas either, pretty normal in LA I think.

... in response to Re: Apologies in advance..., posted by Red Clay on Aug 23, 2003

Insert joke here: Is it just me or is it kinda funny that "Peruanas" sounds like Piranas?

... in response to Re: Re: Apologies in advance..., posted by Traveller on Aug 23, 2003

Is it just me, or is it kinda funny that avocado sounds like abogado?

... in response to Re: Re: Apologies in advance..., posted by Traveller on Aug 23, 2003

Sounds like, but less likely to act like than certain other countries.