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cgage
Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 73 Location: Memphis
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Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:14 pm Post subject: Cusco Altitude sickness and other issues |
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I write this because I'm no longer a young backpacker (I was in the 70's).
I'm going somewhere to retire/teach and stay. can't just float around the world like I used to. So these are research questions.
Anyone get alt sickness? Does it cause breathing difficulties? I'm used to living 300 ft above sea level. Cusco is 11,000 ft asl. I can remember getting headaches at 6,000 ft.
Raymundo said "Gringos get sick in Cusco"
I guess food/water sickness is just part of travelling to countries in LA etc although I didnt get sick in Mexico. I only drank coke or wine and ate in the good restaurants.
Your comments about getting sick are greatly appreciated. I have diabetes and that's already two strikes in the ninth inning.
I'd hate to sign a contract in a place where I couldnt live.
Thanks
cgage |
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MNguy
Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 129
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Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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If you are prone to alt sickness, it will go away in about a week or so anyway. Don't drink the tap water or eat anything made / washed in it. |
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TOMASB
Joined: 30 Jun 2011 Posts: 5
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Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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I have lived in Cusco since September2011. My age is 63. During this time, I have had stomach and flu issues three times and several colds related to thin air, cold night weather and/or rain, and high altitude pollution. Prior to living in Cusco, I lived in the western US and was probably sick a half dozen times in 30 years.
I am careful where I eat, what I drink, and hygeine in general but it does not seem to matter here. I think this is one reason gringos don't stay here more than a year or so. It is the price you have to pay to live here. Unless my health issues improve, it is difficult to envision living here for a concerted length of time. It would be in my estimation a very tough place to retire. |
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cgage
Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 73 Location: Memphis
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Tomas.That is extremely useful information since I need to pick somewhere that I can stay. I'll look in to Trujillo. |
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Dee35
Joined: 22 Aug 2011 Posts: 8
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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I lived in Cusco for 6 months and I honestly do not know why I got sick as often as I did. Usually, I am a very healthy person but I there were times that i was sick from all angles... [please don't make me be more graphic]. It wasn't a daily thing, but I just expected to be sick about once a month. My workplace, MN, had a great policy about this. They hired 'floaters'to cover these inevitable problems.
I never drank tap water. I followed all the guidlines [and the few times I did eat street food, I didn't get sick...that is just a gamble]... drink lots of coca tea and take it easy the first weeks. Cusco is a beautiful place and worth the inconveniences [in my opinion]... I met wonderful people [gringos and locals] and would def recomend it [just bring along your favorite western meds bcos it gets a bit expenisve in Cusco- at first you don't realize it, but after a couple of months.... a sole = a USD, seriously... ! but yeah, maybe consider other places or at least try it out first. good luck! |
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