Job Discussion Forums

vlynne · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Seattle

I've been to some places around the world and the acceptance of Americans varies greatly. I am considering to move to a small coastal town in Northern Peru and am wondering how well recieved I will be. I know I will stand out being white, blond and blue eyed. But will I be hasseled/harrassed even more for being American?
I read a blog from awhile back and someone made a comment that if you stay in Peru for any length of time you can count on being a victim of theft/assult. Is this a fact even in the smaller towns with less tourists?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Where are you planning to go? I'm in Piura, a coastal town in the north. YOu will stand out for sure! SOme people will harrass you and others won't. YOu can really put everyone in a box. There is less crime in small towns.
If you want more info, PM me.

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

I'd second what naturegirl says, you will stand out and some poeple will hassle you for it. But �'m living in Trujillo on the norht coast and the people here have been really friendly. They don't get many tourists here and the ones that do come tend to stay only a few days so after a few weeks I was being treated like a local.

As for the crime aspect, if you stayed anywhere for long enough you run the risk of being a victim of crime. The usual rules apply in Peru, as in any place, don't flaunt your wealth/possessions, look confidnet even when you are lost and if anyone approaches you, smile and keep on walking. I wouldn't say Peru is any more hazardous than any other place I have been - including most of Eurpoe and Asia - and the people are a damn sight friendlier.