Juan kindly provided us with his answers in both English and Spanish, so we’ve included the Spanish version in grey font indented below the English version.

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Well, I’m Peruvian, I’m 47 years old, I have two adult (or so they say) daughters and I’m divorced. I used to be a Systems Programmer, but currently I work in business and some things on the Internet.

My blog is Globalizado. I collaborate with Global Voices and I am the editor of the Spanish version of that same website. I like travelling and photography, although I’m a bit rough on that last one. And the two things I have liked my whole life are reading and progressive rock.

Bueno, soy peruano, tengo 47 años, dos hijas ya adultas (o eso dicen) y un divorcio. Solía ser Programador de Sistemas, pero actualmente me dedico al comercio y a algunas cosas en Internet. Mi blog es Globalizado. Colaboro en Global Voices y soy editor de la versión castellana de la misma web. Me gusta viajar y la fotografía, aunque soy bastante burdo para esto último. Y dos cosas que me gustan de toda la vida son la lectura y el rock progresivo.

How is Peru coping in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake?

Truth be told, this disaster has caught out the government and its departments – the very people that should help precisely at moments like these. Nonetheless, the solidarity of the Peruvian people is making the difference and amid all the problems it is the people themselves who are organizing and helping. It’s a time when it becomes evident that many things need to be fixed and hopefully it all serves as a lesson, so that in the future a situation like this does not occur again.

La verdad sea dicha, este desastre ha agarrado desprevenidos al gobierno y a sus dependencias que deben precisamente ayudar en momentos como éste. Sin embargo la solidaridad del pueblo peruano está marcando la diferencia y entre todos los problemas es el propio pueblo el que se organiza y se ayuda. Es un momento en el que se esta viendo que se debe corregir muchas cosas y ojalá sirva para que en el futuro no se vuelva a dar una situación como ésta.

While Peru is recovering, should travellers postpone their visit to the country?

If you were planning to visit, say the Paracas Reserve or the Nazca Lines, it could still be somewhat risky. The Ica region has borne the brunt of the earthquake, so has the Huancavelica region in the Andes.

But Lima has hardly suffered damage, and cities like Cuzco, Cajamarca, Arequipa, Trujillo Chiclayo and Iquitos are the same as always. Although, if you are planning to leave Lima via the Panamerican South highway, forget it. Take a plane to your destination.

Si planeaban visitar, digamos la Reserva de Paracas o las líneas de Nazca, podría ser un poco arriesgado aún, El departamento de Ica es el que ha llevado la peor parte con el terremoto, lo mismo que el departamento de Huancavelica en la sierra. Pero Lima no ha sufrido daños prácticamente y ciudades como el Cuzco, Cajamarca, Arequipa, Trujillo Chiclayo e Iquitos están como siempre. Eso sí, si planean ir de Lima vía la Panamericana Sur, olvídenlo. Tomen un avión mejor a su destino.

Can travellers in any way help the victims of the earthquake?

I think that just by coming to Peru travellers are already helping us. But of course the official centers that receive donations are open to the general public and I saw tourists donating blood the day after the tragedy, something that really impacted me positively.

In my blog, I wrote a post in English and Spanish, about how to help and just as I say there, Peruvian embassies and consulates are receiving all kinds of aid for the victims.

Pienso que con el sólo hecho de venir al Perú ya nos está ayudando. Pero por supuesto los centros oficiales que reciben donaciones están abiertos al público en general y he visto turistas donando sangre el día después de la tragedia, cosa que de veras me impactó positivamente. En mi blog puse un post en inglés y castellano sobre como ayudar y tal como digo ahí la embajadas y consulados del Perú están recibiendo todo tipo de donación para los damnificados.

How long have you lived in Lima?

I have lived in Lima practically since I was born, although I did live in the hot city of Iquitos on the banks of the Amazon in the Peruvian rainforest for ten years.

Prácticamente desde que nací vivo en Lima, aunque viví un tiempo en la calurosa ciudad de Iquitos, a orillas del río Amazonas en la selva peruana por espacio de unos 10 años.

What do you like most about living in Lima?

As you will understand, it’s the city in which I was raised and in a certain way I feel safe in it. But, if we get to concrete things, I would say, I like to live near the historical center. It is one of the parts of Lima I like most, and I never get tired of wandering around it. And, although many call it chaotic and too fast, I feel, I understand its rhythms and its order and I’ve never had problems with that.

Como comprenderán es la ciudad en la que crecí y en cierta manera me siento seguro en ella. Pero si vamos a cosas concretas, diré que me gusta vivir cerca del centro histórico, es una de las zonas que más me gustan de Lima, y no me canso de recorrerla. Y aunque muchos la llaman caótica y acelerada, creo que entiendo sus ritmos y su orden y nunca he tenido problemas con eso.

Is there anything you do not like about living in Lima?

I don’t like that Lima has become a very large city, sometimes you have to travel many kilometers to visit relatives or friends. There are also areas that are not too safe due to crime.

No me gusta que Lima se ha vuelta una ciudad demasiado grande, a veces hay que recorrer muchos kilómetros para poder visitar a familiares o amigos. También que hay zonas poco seguras por la delincuencia.

Why should travellers visit Lima?

Although it does not preserve much of its old splendor, Lima still demonstrates signs of its colonial past, when it was practically the capital of South America. So, if your thing is history, there is much to see in Lima.

On another note, Peruvian food is fabulous and Lima is where most of it is concentrated. The culinary offer is wide and for all tastes.

Aunque no conserva mucho de su antiguo esplendor, Lima aún muestra huellas de su pasado colonial, cuando prácticamente era la capital de Sudamérica. Así que si lo suyo es la historia, hay bastante que ver en Lima. Por otra parte la comida peruana es fabulosa y Lima concentra la mayor parte de ella, la oferta culinaria es amplia y para todos los gustos.

If a visitor had time to do or see only one thing in Lima, what should it be?

This is a difficult question, but personally I feel inclined to mention the San Francisco Church complex. It is a place full of history where really surprising things can be found.

Difícil pregunta, pero particularmente me siento inclinado a mencionar el complejo de la Iglesia de San Francisco, es un lugar lleno de historia y se encontrarán con cosas realmente sorprendentes.

If a visitor had time for only one meal in Lima, which dish would you recommend?

Well, if you have never tried ceviche, this dish is the almost obvious selection. If you’ve already tried that and you’re someone who enjoys food, then try one of those combination plates that offer several different types of food on one plate, such as ají de gallina, cau cau, lamb seco, chicken with rice and various others. (I was once served a plate that offered seven different types of food).

Bueno, si nunca has probado el cebiche, dicho plato es la elección casi obvia. Si no fuera el caso y se trata de alguien de buen diente, uno de esos platos que traen un poquito de varias comidas diversas tales como Ají de Gallina, cau-cau, seco de cordero, arroz con pollo, y varios otros (una vez me sirvieron uno que traía siete comidas diferentes).

Do you have any other insider tips for visitors to Lima or other places in Peru?

Well, the problem of crime is a fact, so I would advise them to not be too trusting and to always remain alert. In particular if they leave the established tourist routes.

On the other hand, this should not be a barrier to visiting areas of the city away from the normal route, there are many safe areas. The best thing to do is to ask about the area you want to visit before heading there.

Outside of Lima, there are numerous places to visit that have rich history and incredible landscapes – cities with Inca ruins, beautiful mountains and glaciers, lovely lakes and lagoons, beautiful waterfalls, immense rivers where you can sail for days observing nature, and above all, many friendly, hospitable people and incredible food.

Bueno, el problema de la delincuencia es un hecho, así que les advertiría no ser muy confiados y mantenerse siempre alertas, sobre todo si salen de los circuitos turísticos establecidos. Por otra parte esto no debe ser tampoco una barrera para que no se animen a visitar la ciudad fuera de los que normalmente se indica, hay muchas zonas seguras, lo mejor es preguntar siempre que tal es la zona a donde piensan dirigirse antes de salir.
Fuera de Lima hay una cantidad enorme de sitios que visitar con una riqueza histórica y paisajística increíble, ciudades con ruinas incaicas, con bellas montañas y nevados, preciosas lagunas y lagos, bellas cataratas, ríos inmensos para navegar por días observando la naturaleza, y sobre todo, mucha gente amable y hospitalaria y una comida increíble.

Note

Anni Poulsen: Head on over to Juan’s blog for more information about Peru. Don’t miss his post on how you can help Peru recover from the disastrous earthquake in Earthquake in Perú: Canalizing the aid

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Our View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.

The map below shows the places covered so far.

Use the zoom and directional buttons to navigate the map. Click on the red points to view more information and the satellite button for a satellite image.

For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>

Technorati Tags: travel, view of a local, peru

Lexicographer Tony Galvez gives us a very frank insight into his adopted home town São Paulo in this fourth interview of our View of a Local series.

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a Spanish lexicographer who swapped Scotland and Northern Ireland (where I lived for 7 years) for Brazil. The term culture shock comes to mind!

I came to São Paulo to co-ordinate a dictionary project, met on an adventure trip my future wife, and settled in São Paulo.

Workwise, my life hasn’t changed much since I moved to Brazil: I continue working on dictionaries and collaborating with lexicographers spread all over the world – thank the Internet for that!

I’ve taken up blogging recently, De viaje a Brasil, with handy info in Spanish for anyone with their minds set on a holiday in Brazil, an interest I try to make compatible with my other hobby, photography (www.pbase.com/capercaillie/brasil).

How long have you lived in São Paulo?

Since October 2001. My wife is a paulista (person from São Paulo), born and bred.

What do you like most about living in São Paulo?

Above all, I never felt a stranger in São Paulo. São Paulo is such a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic city that a foreign accent never raises an eyebrow.

Being awoken every day by birds singing is a wonderful and totally unexpected experience.

Finally, São Paulo is just a three-hours drive from some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil (Ubatuba, Paraty).

Is there anything you do not like about living in São Paulo?

How much space do we have? Top of the list would have to come crime and violence. They have a very direct impact on the way you go about your life. Every time I travel to places like Argentina or Spain I realize how important public spaces are to me. In São Paulo there is no social interaction in public spaces. You have to be on guard the entire time. Stay behind fences, security guards.

Traffic and the way Brazilians drive come second on the list.

There’s corruption, at all levels.

Then I would list the utter disrespect for the environment shown both by the authorities and the population. It causes me dispair the way urban planning revolves around the car. A pedestrian in São Paulo is a moving target.

And last, but no least, buildings are not designed to cope with the cold. Of course it doesn’t snow in São Paulo, but when the temperature lowers to 7 degrees, and you have no insolation or heating at home, you do feel the cold.

Why should travellers visit São Paulo?

Often shunned by travellers, to me São Paulo, more than any other place, encapsulates the essence of Brazil: the melting pot, the chaos, the smile, the pain, the social divide.

I know São Paulo is not a welcoming place, in particular for those who have no local contacts to guide them around. The city is gigantic and public transportation is incredibly tourist-unfriendly. But you can still make the most of what is available to you. The limited underground network, for instance, is safe and reliable, and will take you to lots of interest places. Unless you come from a place like New York, the gigantic size of São Paulo and its ubiquitous skyscrapers will probably make a big impression on you.

And if good food is your thing, prepare yourself for a treat, as São Paulo excels when it comes to food and restaurants. At very affordable prices.

We all know Brazilians are a very friendly lot; many paulistas will go an extra mile to prove to you that the bad rap the city usually gets is not wholly deserved.

What do you wish travellers would do when they visit São Paulo?

Don’t be paranoid and expect to be mugged the moment you set foot on the street but don’t play it too casual either. Crime is a real problem in São Paulo. Use your common sense (lots of it!) and you will be fine. Pay particular attention while in the center of town.

São Paulo is a destination where having done your homework beforehand is advisable. Find out in advance what you want to see, which places you want to visit.

What do you wish travellers would stop doing when they visit São Paulo?

Think of a stay (or a stopover) in São Paulo as a necessary evil. They look for a hotel as close as possible to the airport and refuse to venture outside its boundaries. Try an experiment what life in the biggest Brazilian city is like.

If a visitor had time to do or see only one thing in São Paulo, what should it be?

I’d go to the Japanese quarter of Liberdade for a different (and alternative!) take on Brazilian culture. The biggest Japanese colony outside Japan lives in São Paulo.

Or, if you happened to be in town on a Saturday on the run-up to Christmas, a visit to the rua 25 de Março shopping area can also be a fascinating experience.

If a visitor had time for only one meal in São Paulo, which dish would you recommend?

Try a Japanese rodízio, in which you pay a fixed price and eat as much as you want. If sushi is not your thing (be aware that Japanese food is by no means restricted to sushi), then go for a churrascaria (restaurant specializing in grilled meat).

Do you have any other insider tips for visitors to São Paulo?

On a clear day, the Banespa building, a skyscrapper right in the center of town, offers breathtaking views of the metropolis from its top. Entrance is free.

After that, go to the Mercado Municipal nearby and marvel at all those exotic fruits on display. The market was recently restored and a mezzanine with bars built inside. You can eat delicious snacks at the bars: do not miss the celebrated pastel de bacalhao (cod pasty).

Finally, become a paulista and go for a walk at the Ibirapuera Park.

Note

Update – 19 March 2007: Tony has just started blogging about Brazil in English at this address: http://www.braziltravelblog.com/

Put your pin in our map

Our new View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.

The map below shows the places covered so far.

Use the zoom and directional buttons to navigate the map. Click on the red points to view more information and the satellite button for a satellite image.

For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a journalist and a college professor, and I’ve been blogging since 2002. I have many interests; while the blogs (Blog de Viajes and Zirma) are mostly focused on travel, as a journalist I work mainly in technology.

On the academic side, I am a Communication Sciences graduate and I teach at the same Faculty at Universidad de Buenos Aires. Also, I am finishing a master program on Science, Technology and Societe at Universidad de Quilmes.

How long have you lived in Buenos Aires?

Always

What do you like most about living in Buenos Aires?

The city is always busy, particularly at night. I love its libraries, its many bars, the possibility to stroll anywhere you want. And that, despite being a big and populated city, there’s always time to sit down and a have a cup of coffee or some beers.

Is there anything you do not like about living in Buenos Aires?

Public transportation is getting worse. The sidewalks are usually filthy, and some areas of the city are unattended while other areas can’t stop constructing big and expensive buildings. This distance is not casual, since the income distribution is worsening in Argentina, something that’s destroying the local middle class, the most dynamic sector of the economy.

Why should travellers visit Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires has been a very expensive city for quite a while, but now it’s very accessible thanks to current exchange rates. Since we don’t know how long this situacion will hold, I’d recommend you plan your trip for not too long from now.

Of course, there are many places to know, a very active and long night (you’ll go to sleep at any time) and lots of people to talk to.

From Buenos Aires you can also go to other places of the country. Unfortunately, for a few months now, local airlines are charging higher fares to foreign, non-resident tourists, which in my opinion, are too high. I talked about it in my blog here >> (currently in spanish only).

What do you wish travellers would do when they visit Buenos Aires?

As with many other cities, the best thing to do is to take a walk. With a few exceptions, tours are not very helpful. The subway system provides a pretty good service, although somewhat complicated at peak hours, and it’s useful to head to many places around town.

Even at touristic spots, such as the downtown or La Boca, you’ll find interesting things. Or at the Mataderos Fair, where you can go by bus, easily. You can also walk around Palermo, filled with bars and restaurants of all kinds and traditions.

Puerto Madero is very “in” now, and it’s the current place of residence of the wealthiest of the city. You can walk along Avenida de Mayo and see the architecture of the area, and its “european” city illusion.

The train can take you to Tigre, a place really worth visiting. It’s possible to do rural tourism in Buenos Aires’ surroundings, but you have to select carefully where to go, so that it won’t just be asado (grilled meats and poultry), a couple of zambas and chacareras (local folk dances and music).

What do you wish travellers would stop doing when they visit Buenos Aires?

Take city tours, go to tango for export shows where the dancers perform something remotely familiar to the original dance, and only think of shopping. Buenos Aires is much more than tango, leather and meat. But even if that’s what you’re looking for, with a little searching, you can find interesting and original offers.

If a visitor had time to do or see only one thing in Buenos Aires, what should it be?

Surely, the city’s downtown is the most indicated. Avenida de Mayo is very interesting.

If a visitor had time for only one meal in Buenos Aires, which dish would you recommend?

It’s quite obvious, Argentinean meat is extraordinary, and it’s the main food. You have to try the tripes, specially the molleja, one of the most delicious things you can eat. Some people are hesitant about it, but they don’t know what they’re missing.

Do you have any other insider tips for visitors to Buenos Aires?

The Mataderos Fair is a good place to buy traditional products from the northern provinces of Argentina. Sunday is a great day to go to fairs, such as the one in San Telmo and the one at Plaza Francia. Or the Puerto de Frutos, in Tigre.

At night time, you can walk around Buenos Aires, particularly along Corrientes Avenue, where there’s always people strolling and eating pizza, which is absolutely delicious (you have to eat pizza!). Pasta too, particularly sorrentinos, a local creation that is the result of a long Italian tradition (about half of the local population is descendent of Italians who arrived to this country in the beginning of the 20th century).

Put your pin in our map

Our new View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.

The map below shows the places covered so far.

Use the zoom and directional buttons to navigate the map. Click on the red points to view more information and the satellite button for a satellite image.

For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>

Technorati Tags: Buenos Aires, Argentina, travel