The Gringo Guy has moved to The Gringo Guy
or you can always find me at www.thegringoguy.com
Thanks for the visits!
or you can always find me at www.thegringoguy.com
Thanks for the visits!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Hold The Press: Higher Education From Another Perspective
Today I had the pleasure to get to know other communication and journalism professors from Peru and other parts of Latin America. I attended a CLAEP (Consejo Latinoamericano de Acreditación en Periodismo) seminar.
Not only did I meet other communication educators, but I also got to experience another view of accreditation and assessment. I know that sounds strange, but it is rejuvenating to view the world of academia through the lens of another system.
I also really enjoyed seeing a convention in Lima where I was now the local and we were welcoming other visitors to the city.
Media outlets from North America, Latin America & Asia were present.
It was a global convergence. I really enjoyed it.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Marca Peru: A successful campaign
Perú is in the process of branding itself as an important product, both domestic and global levels. There is an incredibly successful marketing campaign taking place. It is locally known as ´´Marca Perú ´´ or Peru´s Brand.
The folks who designed this campaign even took a road trip to Peru, Nebraska. There they taught these Peruvians how to really be Peruano. I encourage you to watch this video. It is a great example of how you can make marketing fun and use cross cultural restrictions as benefits and not detriments.
The logo has a ´´P´´ with swirls around in before finishing the ´´eru´´ of Perú. The campaign has caught on with fervor. The recent culinary festival Mistura featured the logo.
I have the logo on my wrinkled and well-worn Peru T-shirt.
You can even spot the logo at night in Kennedy Park in the heavily touristed area of Miraflores.
I think this Marca Perú campaign is fun and gets my attention. For more information you can visit the campaign´s website:
I am a changed consumer. I tend to buy products that feature it over ones that do not. Just my two cents (or should I say two soles since I am in Perú).
Monday, October 3, 2011
Insider Trip Tips: A Guest Blogger Visits Peru
My friend and fellow blogger Kristi Wright recently came to visit me in Lima, Peru. This was her second visit to Peru. I asked her to post a guest blog about her travel experiences in Peru.
I first visited Lima in May 2009. I had no expectations and truly did not know what to expect but ended up loving Peru. Our flight into Lima ended up being a wonderful unexpected experience because we got diverted to the small town of Chiclayo because of fog. I reflect back that I would not have seen this city if it wasn’t for fog and I am forever grateful. It was beautiful.
After leaving Chiclayo, we arrived in Lima and I was in love. I laugh though because I thought one area, Miraflores, was all of Lima. I was so WRONG. Lima is huge. I did not accurately grasp this until my next visit when I got to see a little bit more of Lima. However, here are some random thoughts about my first visit to Peru.
1. Lima is a huge.
2. An unexpected stopover in Chiclayo can be a good thing.
3. Shopping in Chiclayo is like an upscale NY store experience, they will sit you down and bring the clothes to you.
4. Toothbrushes are not free at hotels.
5. Get a good pilot because landing in Lima is a bitch when there is fog.
6. Speaking of fog, it was here every day in May.
7. I am extremely tall in Peru and I am 5’7’.
8. The cab drivers do not know places so expect them to ask you where something is.
9. Everyone is glad to give directions, but you will come to realize that they are always wrong.
10. Miraflores is beautiful. I would recommend staying in this area.
11. The people are so nice.
12. Barter when shopping or just wait a minute and they will give you a new price.
13. A place called Pizza Alley by Kennedy Park is a great place to people watch and grab a beer.
14. Starbucks is everywhere.
15. Their coffee is so strong and very bitter!
16. Talk to everyone they have great stories.
17. The climate is chilly and seems wet all the time.
18. The beach is very different than what I know as a beach. Here it is dirt and lots of huge rocks.
19. Drink Inca Kola!!! Inca Kola is the only national beverage in the world that beat Coca-Cola in sales; until Coca-Cola simply acquired Inca Kola and once you taste it you will know why.
20. You definitely need to speak some Spanish.
21. If you take a picture of someone, expect to pay him/her.
22. Lima consists of lots of districts are they are all so different but beautiful in their own way. Check out as many as possible.
23. Check out a local grocery store and try something new.
24. There are more cab drivers than in the city of Norman, OK which consists of 110,000.
25. Try ceviche and a warm churro. You will not be disappointed.
26. The Historical Centre of Lima is worth the cab ride. The buildings are colonial, lavish and very opulent but so picturesque.
If you would like to learn more about Kristi´s trip you can visit her blog: www.eatyourfruitandveggies.com
I first visited Lima in May 2009. I had no expectations and truly did not know what to expect but ended up loving Peru. Our flight into Lima ended up being a wonderful unexpected experience because we got diverted to the small town of Chiclayo because of fog. I reflect back that I would not have seen this city if it wasn’t for fog and I am forever grateful. It was beautiful.
After leaving Chiclayo, we arrived in Lima and I was in love. I laugh though because I thought one area, Miraflores, was all of Lima. I was so WRONG. Lima is huge. I did not accurately grasp this until my next visit when I got to see a little bit more of Lima. However, here are some random thoughts about my first visit to Peru.
1. Lima is a huge.
2. An unexpected stopover in Chiclayo can be a good thing.
3. Shopping in Chiclayo is like an upscale NY store experience, they will sit you down and bring the clothes to you.
4. Toothbrushes are not free at hotels.
5. Get a good pilot because landing in Lima is a bitch when there is fog.
6. Speaking of fog, it was here every day in May.
7. I am extremely tall in Peru and I am 5’7’.
8. The cab drivers do not know places so expect them to ask you where something is.
9. Everyone is glad to give directions, but you will come to realize that they are always wrong.
10. Miraflores is beautiful. I would recommend staying in this area.
11. The people are so nice.
12. Barter when shopping or just wait a minute and they will give you a new price.
13. A place called Pizza Alley by Kennedy Park is a great place to people watch and grab a beer.
14. Starbucks is everywhere.
15. Their coffee is so strong and very bitter!
16. Talk to everyone they have great stories.
17. The climate is chilly and seems wet all the time.
18. The beach is very different than what I know as a beach. Here it is dirt and lots of huge rocks.
19. Drink Inca Kola!!! Inca Kola is the only national beverage in the world that beat Coca-Cola in sales; until Coca-Cola simply acquired Inca Kola and once you taste it you will know why.
20. You definitely need to speak some Spanish.
21. If you take a picture of someone, expect to pay him/her.
22. Lima consists of lots of districts are they are all so different but beautiful in their own way. Check out as many as possible.
23. Check out a local grocery store and try something new.
24. There are more cab drivers than in the city of Norman, OK which consists of 110,000.
25. Try ceviche and a warm churro. You will not be disappointed.
26. The Historical Centre of Lima is worth the cab ride. The buildings are colonial, lavish and very opulent but so picturesque.
If you would like to learn more about Kristi´s trip you can visit her blog: www.eatyourfruitandveggies.com
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The mold must go
Mold is everywhere in the Miraflores area of Lima. I have only lived in Lima, Peru for four months but I am finding mold everywhere here. The humidity is so intense that it seems you find mold in all the expected and unexpected places.
I can deal with it on the wall. But this infestation is all over my clothes and shoes that I do not wear on a regular basis. These brown sandals should not have white spots on them.
I was a little freaked out when I found spots on my computer screen and keyboard.
This is the first place I have ever lived where people recommended i get an anti-humidifier. I did not even know that existed. For those of you who know me...you know I am not a clean freak but enough is enough. The mold has to go.
-- Desde Mi iPhone
I can deal with it on the wall. But this infestation is all over my clothes and shoes that I do not wear on a regular basis. These brown sandals should not have white spots on them.
I was a little freaked out when I found spots on my computer screen and keyboard.
This is the first place I have ever lived where people recommended i get an anti-humidifier. I did not even know that existed. For those of you who know me...you know I am not a clean freak but enough is enough. The mold has to go.
-- Desde Mi iPhone
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Visiting Chiclayo: A happy accident
Chiclayo is one of the most interesting cities in Peru that you have never heard about. Chiclayo is a relatively small city (but the 4th largest in the country) with a population of more than half a million. It is a coastal city in the far north of the country.
Chiclayo is a relatively calm city. It has a notable downtown and amusement park. People here are very friendly and treat tourists well. The city is famous for its food, particularly is duck with fried rice. The famous ruins of Sipán are also nearby.
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You can visit Chiclayo in bus (approximately 12-15 hours) or fly a domestic airline (1.5 hours) from Lima
I had the unique experience of flying into Chiclayo on an international flight, although the city does not have an international airport.
I was on a flight from Miami to Lima. Our plane had serious mechanical trouble (they say we lost an engine) so we all got a two day vacation in Chiclayo.
They could not give us our luggage as Chiclayo did not have a customs agent (the government had to bring in a special immigration officer to process our entry into the country) so we spent our layover buying T-shirts and pants and underwear at the open market.
Every trip is a learning experience. Chiclayo is definitely not on the Gringo Trail but worth seeing if you have the time. Take a spare change of clothes...just in case.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Plastic Bottles & Street People
It seems as though I am surrounded by a sea of plastic bottles everywhere I turn in Lima.
Everyone recommends I buy bottled water (unless I boil the tap water first) which comes in plastic bottles. Soft drinks and many juices also come in plastic bottles.
I feel like I am using too many plastic bottles here in Lima. I try to reuse the bottles as much as I can.
I have asked several different folks how I can recycle...and everyone seems to have the same answer. I am supposed to put the bottles in the trash and let the street people collect them for resell. Maybe I will put them in a separate container and make it easier for them. I wonder what the neighbors would think.
-- Desde Mi iPhone
Everyone recommends I buy bottled water (unless I boil the tap water first) which comes in plastic bottles. Soft drinks and many juices also come in plastic bottles.
I feel like I am using too many plastic bottles here in Lima. I try to reuse the bottles as much as I can.
I have asked several different folks how I can recycle...and everyone seems to have the same answer. I am supposed to put the bottles in the trash and let the street people collect them for resell. Maybe I will put them in a separate container and make it easier for them. I wonder what the neighbors would think.
-- Desde Mi iPhone
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