Down Under in Peru - The Ambiance

by David Schneider
(Los Organos, Peru)

Like our adopted town here in Northern Peru, Los Organos, each locality in this country has its own "twist" or "flavor."

In English, "atmosphere" is usually employed to describe the particular sensation instilled by a certain region, its environment and inhabitants.

In Spanish the word used is "ambiente," the literal translation of "ambiente" being "ambiance," a word not much used in English, unfortunately, as it is a word more highly charged with a mixture of impressions from the five senses than is the word "atmosphere."

In Southern Peru, a special ambiance can be found in very exceptional places like Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Paracas, the Colca Canyon and other locales with alluring associations and seductive-sounding names.

In Central Peru, a hiker or trekker thinks of the snow-covered peaks of famous Andean mountains and their hidden treasures.

Northern Peru? Well, we have chosen to make the lesser-known coast of Peru or Northern Peru our adopted home - in spite of the lure (for us) of the other side of Peru, the Upper Amazon Basin with its fantastic rivers, lush foliage and myriads of birds and animals.

So, one can't really talk about the "ambiente" of Peru, since the variety and contrasts are stupendous. Each region, city, and pueblo has it's own ambiance.

Is there a "best place" in Peru? You bet. But you must find it for yourself.

Visit Peru. Feel the air, taste the food, absorb the culture, listen to the music. Then choose the ambiance that satisfies you. Find the best of Peru - for yourself.

-----------

David Schneider and his wife, Lin, have lived in many countries and climates and now have settled down (somewhat) in the beach town of Los Organos, Peru. The coast, mountains, and jungles of Peru are explored on their website, http://www.Inside-Peru.com