a reflection on South America
Perhaps I’ll reflect a bit first on South America and some thoughts I got , firstly it does help knowing at least a bit of Spanish it will be so much easier doing bookings or dealing with people.
Some places it is harder than others to get help, even for little things/ directions..
Bookings we did a lot of things online ��"hostlebookers/ hostel world all though sometimes we just looked for them but did not book online just walked up to the hotel/ hostel and asked for a room..It worked out for most places.
Sometimes it is best to look on different sites as booking fees might be different or even search the hotel directly online and book there could work out cheaper.
We did even get flight to Easter island cheaper by going through a travel agent! Yes a Travel agent!! Lan chile was a higher exchange rate and there is a other thing.. Money, some places / countries it is hard to get cash out of ATM’s so make sure at home how much a overseas transaction would be charged on your account, as like in Argentina/ Bolivia / Ecuador / Peru it was possible to get cash form ATM’s but only a small amount at once so we had to do several transaction to get more then 500$ so each time a service fee which could rack up a bit!!!
Again on the subject on bookings, I found to be best to have anyone SPELL exactly everything out on a booking sheet each item in details…don’t leave anything out, so if things don’t turn out what you did expected you can go back and no one will tell you oh this was a misunderstanding. SO on tour bookings or trips, if it says food included ask and let them write out what food. Where you stay and what condition….make sure you go over it exactly this count too for bus tickets.
Riding buses in SA, Semi Cama are comfortable seats reclining about 60% sure not as wide then cama but cheaper to go around.
Again if you’re not sure how to get through Sa on buses I would just go to travel agent check out how and where they take buses then book it directly by yourself… no booking fee! Some booking fees can be horrific!!
On the issue of Money! (I got tricked once..oops) if you pay in cash and you got several notes COUNT THEM OUT like a bank officer would do, easy trick if you hand over cash for them to switch some notes and tell you, you did not pay the right amount!, So make sure COUNT IT OUT!
On the issue of Communication, we used a small ACER Laptop to do our bookings, staying in touch with Family and friends, all though we had a phone with us we never used it! So do you really need it? Some times it might be difficult to get service provider. Most of Bus stations in SA offer free internet services so a laptop is easy to work with!
Security, we did not really encounter any difficulties or issues (all though one time a guy told me on the street that someone tried to pick my back bag ��" it was locked with a pad lock anyhow)
There is a “scam” out there where people work in groups, so if someone comes up to distract/ push you ,Be careful a other person could get he’s/ her hands on your belongings!
DO NOT leave anyone look after your things unless you are 100% sure they will do this ��" sadly even friends might sometimes not be the best person to look after your things.. I had encounter a few times where friends looked after a bag and then suddenly it was gone.. so this could damper the rest of the trip not only because you miss things but you are upset with your friend!
Use this site to meet up with TB members who will offer assistance or give you ideas on what to do where to go or even what to pack!
In regards to Museums or churches in SA some have fees to enter during normal business hours, but if you go there during Mass or early morning, it is possible to visit some of the churches for free! So check with times,
Some museums / parks offer if you visit a 2nd time a up to 50% discount, so if you meet some other travelers swap tickets and get in cheaper…
Food, a lot of restaurants offer in South America a “menu” or dinner which comprise of up to 3 items for a very little cost.. of course it is local food so if you can handle and enjoy discovering local food the best way to go!
If you a coffee drinker…or need the caffeine to get going.. Chile/ Argentina/Bolivia and even Peru does not really offer great coffee other then instant coffee- sadly.
I almost forgot one thing; during travelling in SA I noticed on several occasion, tourists and local people totally disrespect “nature” and disposing rubbish without any concerns of its impact to the nature and wild life.
Now I know it is sometimes hard to find rubbish bins and or it is maybe annoying caring back rubbish in your bag, but if you bring it in dispose of it right, I am sure we are able to make the right decision to protect our planet no matter if other people do so or not, we as travelers can make a choice if we participate on making a difference or just ignore it,.
I saw even at Machu Picchu someone had stuffed a plastic bag in between some of the rock wall..
now this had been deliberate and with some thought as to how to carry this out, would it had been so much to just bring it back to town and dispose of it at a rubbish bin?
I too witnessed police officers just dumping rubbish at Bus terminals, what an “Idol”?
Let us make a difference and even remind follow travelers to look after our planet to keep it health for others to travel.
Anyhow hope this info does assist some one if anyone has any further question or like more info just send me a message happy to explain more!
