Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sistant teachers and therapists to work with special-needs children in Cuzco, Urubamba in
the Sacred Valley and Máncora on the north coast.
ProWorld Service Corps
( in USA 877-429-6754, in UK 018-6559-6289;
www.myproworld.org
)
This highly recommended organization offers two- to 26-week
cultural, service and academic experiences, including in the Sacred Valley and the
Amazon. It has links with affiliated NGOs throughout Peru and can organize placements
for individuals or groups.
Teaching & Projects Abroad
( 01903-708300;
www.teaching-abroad.co.uk
;
Aldsworth Pde, Goring, Sussex BN12 4TX, UK)
For summer, gap-year and career breaks,
this UK-based organization has opportunities for community care and English teaching in
the Sacred Valley and conservation in the Amazon jungle.
Volunteers for Peace
(VFP; 802-259-2759;
www.vfp.org
; 1034 Tiffany Rd, Belmont,
VT 05730, USA)
Places volunteers in short-term work-camp programs, usually in Lima or
Ayacucho. Program fees are more than reasonable and may be partially paid directly to
local communities.
Working Abroad
(
www.workingabroad.com
)
Online network of grassroots volunteer op-
portunities (eg social development, environmental restoration, indigenous rights, tradition-
al art and music) with trip reports from the field.
Women Travelers
Machismo is alive and well in Latin America. Most female travelers to Peru will experien-
ce little more than shouts of
mi amor
(my love) or an appreciative hiss. If you are fair-
skinned with blond hair, however, be prepared to be the center of attention. Peruvian men
consider foreign women to have looser morals and be easier sexual conquests than Peruvi-
an women and will often make flirtatious comments to single women.
Staring, whistling, hissing and catcalls in the streets are run-of-the-mill - and should be
treated as such. Many men make a pastime of dropping
piropos
(cheeky, flirtatious or
even vulgar 'compliments'). However, these are generally not meant to be insulting. Most
men rarely, if ever, follow up on the idle chatter (unless they feel you've insulted their
manhood). Ignoring all provocation and staring ahead is generally the best response. If
someone is particularly persistent, try a potentially ardor-smothering phrase such as
soy
casada
(I'm married). If you appeal directly to locals, you'll find most Peruvians to be
protective of lone women, expressing surprise and concern if you tell them you're travel-
ing without your family or husband.
