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No Longer a Tourist - At least in Peru!

I have been noticing a very interesting phenomenon the last couple of weeks as I walk around Arequipa - I NO LONGER FEEL LIKE A TOURIST!  Even though I still don't have a handle on the Spanish language, I feel like I can communicate and get around almost like a native!  I do things that normal people do as part of their daily life:  I get my hair cut, my nails done, a massage, go to the market, shop for clothes, buy toiletries and medicine.....  There is a level of comfort that only being in a place for a while can give you.  As I go through the Plaza de Armas and see the tourists with their Lonely Planet Peru books in hand, I feel like going up to them and seeing if they need any help!

As I look back to when I first arrived in Lima, I realize I have come a LONG way......

However, it still was very nice when I arrived back in Lima to have a gentleman approach me and ask if I needed a ride someplace.  He and his girlfriend had been traveling the same route with me and were a bit concerned for my safety back in Lima.  They had room in their car, so had their driver deposit me at Paola's.  There are wonderful people all over the world!

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