Google Earth

hey try this its amazing... If you type our Hotel name and city into Google Earth it flies you straight there.

Locks!

Just wondering if anyone has thought about locking their bags/suitcases. I have a friend who went to peru recently and the valuable stuff on the top of the bag was stolen. Do you think we should put padlocks on them? Will there be hassle in the US if we do that? Any ideas?
What happens on other tours, anyone out there been to one before, or if Sheena is reading this?
Maria

Come on the Celts!

Hi folks. Nice to see there's a coupla' new names on the blog site - welcome. You will quickly notice there are a few headbangers going on the trip - particularly the Celt contingent from Scotland and Ireland (of course I include myself among the aforementioned). I don't think it's going to be a boring trip and I don't expect it will be difficult making friends as I see from the tone of the blogs that there are already strong relationships being established. Excellent. Just what the blog was set up for.
Anyway, I hope everyone is getting organised as successfully as I am (coughing up my sleeve). But with just over a week to go I guess we'll just have to knuckle down and get it sorted - I know I will.
See you all soon.
Al.

Hello

Hello
My name is Jeanette Guilford I am coming on the trip with my husband Jim. We live in Ilkeston in Derbyshire. I have been an advocate since June last year. We are looking forward to the trip but we are getting a but stressed about our police check, it has gone missing and we are waiting for a replacement, Hopefully it will arrive in the next couple of days. Another problem we had was getting sun cream, most shops do not do not stock it at this time of year. I managed to get some from boots.

Christopher Corbet from Shropshire

I see Clare has asked us to introduce ourselves. Well I am Christopher - yes all 3 syllables, if you please; but don't worry if you forget.

Last year I was a farmer but I have just managed to give it up. It is an expensive and unrewarding habit being a farmer and you lose much less cash and you waste much less time spreading the Gospel.

I come from an Anglican parish church in deep countryside with a congregation of 11. Prayer book services are all that most of the congregation are prepared to hear and they do like the King James Version.

Rather than bore you with my face I enclose a picture of Islay, the spaniel.

confused

The malaria issue seems to be going round in circles - so still unsure what to do. As we can have 2 suitcases of 23kg (unless that has changed as per the hand luggage allowance) had planned to take one for me and one with art materials for the kids. Have put out appeal to friends, clients and at church for donations which have started coming in - at this rate will need lots more cases!!

Anyone have room to take some?

Malaria

Hi folks
you may like to check with your Doc or Travel Clinic again about latest Malaria advice for Chiclayo.
A few weeks ago my GP said the risk was low, but yesterday when I was at the main Travel Clinic getting my yellow fever jab, the Doc there advised me that Chiclayo is now a high risk area. (Low in and around Lima)
We were both surprised, but she showed me the map / diagram on the computer and sure enough it was in a 'red' zone.

Laptop??

Was anyone thinking of taking their laptop?? I want to take mine, to uploads photos and hopefully connect to the internet. Will there be internet connection do u think?? Do you think it is worth taking it..or better to leave it?

My guitar isn't going with me!

Hi all. I had thought of taking my guitar with me to Peru - you never know, it might have come in handy (us Irish like a good singsong - and worship, too, of course). However, after speaking to a friend who makes and repairs guitars he has advised me against it after a bad experience travelling with an acoustic guitar at a security airport inspection. The guitar, after being x-rayed and checked-in as hold baggage, was BROKEN open by security to verify what the wires and battery were on the inside. They were legitimate - for the pickup and graphic equaliser controls, but the security had put a label on the guitar stating they weren't liable for damage. The guitar was almost ruined but my friend made a reasonable repair! Unfortunately a guitar is too big for hand baggage, so mine is staying at home - I don't want to risk damage. If anyone else was considering it this may be helpful to you.
Al.

Smaller hand luggage from Gatwick on Continental

Hi

I'm very confused over hand baggage size regs but I think my brand new EU / BA size bag will be too large for the US and our flight from Gatwick.
Continental from Gatwick seems to have a smaller size allowed of only 114 linear cm.

See
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/carry-on.aspx

I dont know how strict they are but I'd be gutted mine had to be put in the hold!

Does anyone have any frequent traveller insider info?

Temperatures

Hello everyone,

I've seen some of the questions about weather and temperatures. It looks like it's going to be warm and balmy. The temperatures mentioned in the blue hand book are maximum day temperatures (27 degrees C) and minimum night temperatures (21 degrees C), so even nights are going to be warm. There is also a website with daily forecasts, www.uk.weather.yahoo.com/South_America/Peru/ which you can look at.

There will be air con in the hotels we will be staying in.

I look forward to meeting you all at the airport!

Sheena Tandy

Hello

Hi, my name is Zandra and I live in NE Scotland.

I'm so looking forward to this trip and I'm grateful for this brilliant opportunity to visit Peru. Its a part of the World I've not visited and don't think I would have made it there under any other circumstances...so Thank You Compassion!

I'm a fairly new advocate so I feel a bit cheeky about joining the tour but I know its going to be a life changing experience and I expect and pray that it will fire me up to be a better and more effective advocate.

A bit apprehensive though as I will be leaving my 5 year old son at home with my husband... and they say they have plans!??

Have just booked my flights down to Gatwick and I'm in the middle of vaccinations...Yellow Fever later this week...oohh.
I see its probably going to be warm and humid. Does anyone know if it gets cool in the evenings or is there air con in the hotel? (Not that my expectations are that high, I just don't like being cold!)

See you all at Costas then bright and early, mine's a Fairtrade Cappuccino...

See you all soon

One month to go folks!
Maria

Peru Press Releases for Advocates

Hello Peru Tour Advocates!

My name is Nikki Sealey and I work in Compassion’s Communications department. I just wanted to drop you a line here to say that I will be giving each of you a phone call either this week or next week regarding some materials I will be sending you in the post when you return from Peru.

We encourage all our Advocates to have a go at gaining some local press coverage about your experience in Peru on your return. To help you with this, we’ll send you a small ‘press pack’ containing a pro forma press release and a list of your local newspapers. Sheena or Clare will take a great photo of you whilst in Peru too so you can send this along with your press release!

I look forward to chatting with you soon.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful, life-changing experience. Stay well and safe...and all the best for your trip.

Best regards,
Nikki
Communications Specialist, Compassion UK

Greetings

Hi, I am Carrie-Anne Golt...better know as Caz..Which will be helpfull, as there seems to be someone who shares my name on this trip.

I am from Gibraltar (South of Spain) but moved to Kent about 3 weeks ago, so just trying to settle in this month.

Really looking forward to Peru trip and seeing Compassions Work First Hand. How Exciting!! Concerned about the weather, i thought Feb was rainy season..but now i have heard that it going to be hot?? Anyone got any information??

See you bright and early in a few weeks :)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to each and every one of my Peru tour travelling companions and your families. I pray God will bless us all and give us in the coming year (especially during the Compassion visit to Peru) opportunities that we can use to enthusiastically share the love Jesus has put in our hearts for the poorest children of this world.
My home church youth worship team use a phrase from Romans 12 verse 11 as their motto. I think it's a good one for us, too. The Living Bible quotes it as this: Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Al.