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Jan 18, 06
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been to south america?
I start a teaching contract in Chile this coming September but was hoping to backpack around south america first.
Any places I should see/miss? Tips? 
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Jan 18, 06
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i really reccommend not going to Peru for too long, especially in the capital city, Lima. The corruption and crime there now is pretty ridiculous, personally, not even i would go to lima and "backpack" around the place alone, (and i was born there). Other places to check out in Peru are locations such as: Macchu Picchu, its a world wonder, and the path to get to the actual ruins is an adventure in itself
i hope you bring your appetite with you, since there will be tons of new foods you will be exposed to, i suggest (if youre on a train in peru) that you chow down on white corn with feta cheese, it was a really great and memorable snack of mine while taking the trains through Peru. so.. if and when you find yourself in the capital city, Lima, dont forget to really hide expensive or flashy things, its not so much pickpocketing you gota watch out for, but more like gangs of little kids willing to strip you down to the shoes to get every last penny from your body, it sounds brutal, and it is. also, try INCA COLA, my favourite carbonated beverage. :D hope that helps
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Jan 18, 06
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south america is my dream destination.
from what i have heard, chile an be a pretty scarey place if you dont keep your head on your shoulders. sometimes kidnappings will happen and the ransom will be $500, nothing will happen, its just what they do. my buddy brian lived there for a couple of years with his family and he had alot of lady friends have these random kidnappings. none ever got hurt, and actually were treated really really well, still a terrifying situation though. ecuador!!!!!! although it is taking a hold on the cocaine production and can be a little scarey, its beautiful.
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Jan 19, 06
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Im not worried about Chile so much because Im working at a Hollistic Learning Centre and living next door to it. All travel I do around Chile will probably be on field trips with my classes.
Im thinking the whole travelling alone thing wont be the smartest. My boss says Argentina is the safest for a female on their own. Mojo- 6 months. Teaching actual kids this time!! No more of that highscool additude garbage ;)
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Jan 19, 06
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have fun sheena! hey, fitness theory at LLC tonight, you know anyone taking it?
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Jan 19, 06
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nope - but I dont work there much now
ps Im a fon-ete-i-kall speller ok!?
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Jan 19, 06
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why are you letting them hold you back.. How many times in your life do you think you are gonna be able to travel??
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Jan 19, 06
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Sheena: Im really curiouse about what program your working through? Im extreamly fasinated about travel and teaching and hope to do it in the next year or so. Is it t he same program you did in Thialand? How well does it pay? Do you take any training etc???
thanx and good luck!
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Jan 19, 06
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I didnt bother reading much on this thread becuase I am in Chile (santiago) right now!!! so hot, awesome place to be in the summer, food is so good and cheap, theres so many pubs and is very hapening all day long.
Im so glad I left the rain. Well got to wrap it up, going out for cheap everything and beatiful people :)
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Jan 19, 06
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They got robbed about 14 times.
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Jan 19, 06
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i spent this past summer backpacking around SA.
didnt spend anytime in chile but i met alot...nice people but their spanish is extremly fast. anways whilst in peru it is very important to keep your wits about you. theft is a concern esp with gringos. overall its fairly safe to travel but you still need to keep sharp...lima is ok but its their version of new york....a huge sprawling gawdaful mess of a city. there is one that is worse though...Arequipa...stay away from arequiepa! its listed as a tourist highlight but is extremly unsafe and has the most amount of crime anywhere in peru...my road mates all had dogy stories and i myslef evan got pocket sniped their. highlights you wont want to miss are the nazca lines,cuzco,machhu picchu and if you can make it....check out iquitos peru. above all else....VISIT CUsCO!!!!! this city is downright amazing and has all the major inca sites within easy reach. I only planned to stay in cusco for a week but ended up staying there for a month and a half!!!!! i stayed in a few places but the absolute best...bY FAR is a place called 'CASA DEL LA GRINGA' located in the artisan distrect of 'san blas' . the place is absolutly stunning and the owner, leslie, operates spiritual tours around the various inca ruins with 'san pedro' and mescaline cactus found in the andes. Cusco also has a pumping nightlife as well. its an amazing city. im going back in june. *sigh*...i culd go on and on but i dont have alot of time....bottom line i found SA not nearly as safe as South east asia. thailand,cambodia,laos was definalty the most firendly region ive ever been....South america is alot different.....its a true adventure. any questions you might have dont hesitate to ask..
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Jan 19, 06
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my cousins just got back from south america backpacking. the went all over but also spent a month in ecuador volunteering in an ecological reserve in the jungle called 'Bilsa' and had the best experience of their lives
here is the website: http://www.jatunsacha.org/ingles/volunteer_ecuador.htm they also said peru was a beautiful country, and recommend climbing machu pichu in cusco. the only place i've been to in south america is columbia. yes it is the drug capital of the world and has a huge crime rate. but the countryside is beautiful! i stayed in bogota most of the time i was there but went on excursions outside of the city and went to some fascinating sites, like an orphanage just outside the capital. Bogota has a huge population of homeless street kids, and this orphanage was a place where a foundation took kids off the streets and got them out of drugs and danger. some kids were as young as 2 or 3. A lot of people go around and kill kids on the streets and in the sewers where they hide because they think its 'disgusting' that they live on the streets. a lot of them become addicted to glue (sniffing it) at night to numb themselves and keep warm. http://www.ninandes.org/ (unfortunatly in spanish) hope this is of any help
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Jan 20, 06
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With your experience as a TA and a TEFL certificate Im sure youd find an amazing job. Im a bit more limited because I only look for 6 month contracts. One year contracts make more as well as have more bonuses ; paid vacation, flight, holidays, apartment..etc etc Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan have the greatest amount of positions for foreigners. Try TEFL.com or eslcafe.com Cheers!
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Jan 21, 06
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ahhhhh - Contract fast track!! I leave in June because one teacher is going home early for a family reunion!!
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Jan 22, 06
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I've always wanted to hit up Brazil. They make amazing movies, the culture is so intriguing.. and I hear they throw the maddest parties. The language sounds beautiful as well, even though I can't understand a word of it. I recommend it, even though I've never been there.
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