Peru Hike - Part 3
Airline challenges and travel insurance - the fun begins!
Teresa Thompson (Hot Metal Mama) doesn't let 
Hiking in Peruchallenges stand in her way. Even though she'd never been to South America before, she was ready to just go.
We spent some time with Teresa and she shared some of the challenges she faced.
GoGirlfriend: What challenges did you face right off the plane?
Teresa Thompson: This was a first trip to Peru and South America for all of us, and I fell in love with Peru. The people were warm and helpful even with a language barrier.
Peruvian HospitalityNone of us spoke fluent Spanish. Mine was getting better after being there for 2 weeks, but it was the graciousness of the Peruvian people that made it a non-issue.
I think I was more excited about the time to leave than actually nervous about the travelling itself. My friends were so easy-going about it and I wasn't nervous about any of the plans I'd made.
GG: Did you prebook a tour guide?
TT: We didn't pre-book a tour guide. Other than hiking
Peruvian Hospitality with the Inca Trail hiking company, we were a totally self-service group. I had a general outline of things I thought would make the trip interesting, and I had suggestions for things to do. But we finalized plans over beers and long lunches in Cusco.
I did pre-book all our hotels prior to arriving in Peru, though. Again, here's where the Internet is a traveler's greatest friend. I also think websites like GoGirlfriend are a huge help to female travelers. I would have definitely relied on postings or advice from a site like yours when I was planning this trip.
Our first challenge right off the plane was dealing with American Airlines. Our flight arrived an hour late into Lima, and they had booked us through to Cusco on a Peruvian airline with only one connecting flight per day, which we missed. They offered no help in finding us a new flight or putting us on another airline. They also lost Betsy's luggage and again were no help whatsoever in locating it.
I learned 2 very important things here.
- First, travel insurance is not just for my 87-year-old grandmother. With airline service declining and overbooking the norm, my travel insurance policy carried a $300 missed-flight connection which covered the $140 it cost us to get ourselves on another airline to connect to Cusco.
- Secondly, I shied away from booking the international flights directly through a Peruvian carrier. I felt more secure booking through a US carrier, which turned out to be a mistake.
Hiking in PeruMy other friends, Lisa and Kris, booked all the way from LA to Cusco on LAN, a Peruvian airline, and had a fantastic experience: Full meals, wine, personal DVD players, leg room and punctual arrival and departure times. I will not shy away from booking directly through a national carrier from the country I'm traveling to.
Thinking about your own girlfriend adventure getaway? Send us your questions and Teresa will answer them in a future post.
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