Justina has just become one of the few who managed to visit Machu Picchu this year

Interview 15 minutes Justina admitted that there was anxiety before the trip: the political situation in Peru was tense, the number of visitors to Machu Picchu was very limited and the travel rules in the world could change immediately.

I had to experience everything during the trip. From the first scare at the Miami airport, the strict COVID-19 restrictions to the tortuous mountain sickness … But it was all bought back by positive impressions: gourmet dinners, secrets of alpaca wool products and of course , the opportunity to know Machu Picchu, where you could only buy tickets. In the last minute.

– This week it was announced that Machu Picchu, which had just opened 6 weeks ago, will be closed to tourists again, only this time due to the threats of COVID-19, but due to the train protests of the locals. How does it feel to be one of the few tourists who have been able to see this exceptional place this year?

– The tense situation in Peru for some time: the president was replaced 3 times in a week! But knowing South America, it is no longer so rare. [Prieš kelionę] Some doubts arose, but after consulting with the Peruvian friend and assuring her that tourists there are especially welcome at this time, I decided to go.

The big shock came when I went to the Miami airport and waited for my flight to check-in. I realized that my husband and I are the only tourists traveling in this direction. All the others awaiting registration were local Peruvians, likely visiting relatives or coming home from the United States. They are fairly straightforward to separate: they all have huge pieces of at least 3 pieces of checked luggage (both clothing for resale and waiting areas for family members, electronics and other items are carried).

Then doubts arose again, maybe we shouldn’t go there … But there was nowhere to retreat.

I realized that my husband and I are the only tourists traveling in this direction.

– Tell us more about the trip. Why did you decide to travel to Machu Picchu? How important is the fact that it is not so easy to leave the United States now?

– Peru has long been my dream. Ironically, I visited this country only this year, but it was one of the few countries that allows tourists from all countries.

Did you know that tickets to Machu Picchu generally have to be booked even 6 months in advance. I had little hope of getting there, but the number of visitors admitted 2 days before the trip increased and we still managed to buy tickets.

We visited Ollantaytambo the town of Cusco and Lima. On the way we stop at one of the towns where the women make various garments and accessories out of alpaca wool.

We visit many of the highest rated restaurants in the world in Lima. The gastronomic scene in this city is impressive, from street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants.

– What security measures should be taken before and during the trip?

– COVID-19 test was required (no more than 72 hours), airlines required to wear not only a mask but also a protective shield. The panel was also necessary on all trains and buses.

No water was even allowed on the train, just to reduce any contact with other passengers.

All public transport had particularly strict requirements: temperature control, constant disinfection, not even drinking water on the train, and very limited use of toilets. To minimize any contact with other passengers.

– Now traveling is more challenging: more rules, more homework. Not tired of the prep workload?

– This is not my first trip this year. The most stressful thing is that I leave all the trip planning to the last minute, because there is no guarantee that we will really fly: the requirements of the countries are constantly changing, the test results come later (for example, this time I got the wrong date of wrong test pickup, had to be changed last minute), flights are permanently canceled. Stress certainly is, but it has many perks: cheaper tickets, fewer tourists.

Stress certainly is, but it has many perks: cheaper tickets, fewer tourists.

– What is the current rhythm of the places in Peru that you have visited? Are there many prohibitions in everyday life? I mean shopping activities, restaurants, entertainment venues.

– At the beginning of the pandemic, Peru was one of the leading countries in terms of number of cases and deaths. As for what I had to talk to the locals, most of the people live there that day: how much they earn that day, how much they have.

[Kuskas] one of the most visited places in the world has suddenly become a ghost town. The smaller restaurants are still closed and may never reopen.

There was a big difference between Lima and Cusco. Life is boiling in Lima: many business representatives from other countries often need a restaurant reservation, while in Cusco everything is getting worse, there are almost no local merchants on the streets.

One of the most visited places in the world, it has suddenly become a ghost town.

– The flow of tourists in Cuzco and Machu Picchu has now probably been drastically reduced, right? Was it more of an advantage or a disadvantage for you?

– I’m a non-traditional tourist. Very rarely do I choose to visit the most popular tourist sites or museums (lining up with hundreds of tourists, definitely not for me). So for me, it was an advantage. Hotel and flight prices have also fallen dramatically.

– And what do the locals say about the absence of tourists? When there were crowds, it was a big problem. But when there are no more tourists, apparently no one is happy too?

– Given the situation in which they find themselves, they look at everything very positively, they do not complain and do not cry. We have something to learn from them. They are waiting for tourists and are taking all the security measures so that they do not have to close again.

They look at everything in a very positive way, they don’t complain and they don’t cry. We have something to learn from them.

– You mentioned in your comments that you also have mountain sickness. Was it very difficult for the body to get used to the difference in height?

– The trip from Miami to Machu Picchu took about 28 hours (2 flights, a few hours by car, then train and bus). The body didn’t really have enough time to adjust to the difference in height, so for the first few days I felt really bad, and even the whole walk (especially in Cusco) was uphill. Although I am in good physical shape, I feel like a 95-year-old grandmother.

Also, the constant wearing of the mask really made the situation worse. Stored coca leaves, which I chewed and drank their tea. (Cocaine is the main raw material for cocaine. The fresh leaves are rich in alkaloids. In the Andes, the leaves are used to make tea, chewed like gum).

– You recently visited Jamaica. What are your impressions of her?

Jamaica is a Caribbean country rich not only in its beautiful beaches but also in culture. People are relaxed, feel the culture of Bob Marley. We did several tours with the locals, we visited the premises. rastafarian family . It is a religious movement based on faith and the life of nature, without cutting hair, eating only unprocessed food.

– You live in Miami, right? How did life take you there?

– After graduating from Lithuania, I came for a 2-year internship, met my future husband and thus became an immigrant for love.

– You mentioned that Peru felt even safer than the United States. What is the situation in Miami now regarding the pandemic? Are there many prohibitions, a lot of anxiety?

– Miami is currently very relaxed, with most places open, although the number of COVID-19 cases is one of the highest in the United States. The governor of Florida does not support the idea of ​​a mass quarantine, unlike other states. Because there are so many seniors in Florida, nursing homes and nursing homes were particularly hard hit at the beginning of the quarantine.

There is some tension, some businesses have never opened since the first mass closure and we no longer attract European tourists like those in Miami. And this affects the entire tourism sector.

Miami is currently very laid back, with most venues open, although the number of COVID-19 cases is one of the highest in the United States.

– He is still following him and how Europe and Lithuania are doing. How do you think the situation from the country? Europe and the United States fought the spread of the virus quite differently …

– I personally do not support mass closures, but I support the introduction of restrictions: wearing masks, keeping distances, creating conditions so that people at risk do not have to go home, creating conditions for vaccination.

I think the consequences of the mass closures will be worse than the virus itself: depression, suicide, drugs. So I am more in favor of the United States on this issue. Here they are judged less, wearing a mask, although mandatory, is considered a restriction of freedom, so even if you don’t wear it, there is very little chance of you being punished. Sure, America is big and each state has its own rules, but Florida is pretty liberal about it.

– In the group of travelers on Facebook, I see that you have been actively traveling, visiting distant countries. Have many plans been thwarted by this year’s bans? How did you escape the yearning to travel?

– As you know, I traveled to Japan in February, where we were already wearing masks. This was my last trip before the great quarantine. The heart was what hurt the most, because the parents from Lithuania had to come in March, we had to visit one of their dreams: Hawaii.

I have experienced a sense of meaninglessness that only those who suffer from dizziness can understand.

I was one of those who ignored the situation for a long time and thought that we could travel freely in summer. I have experienced a sense of meaninglessness that only those who suffer from dizziness can understand.

The next planned trip is always like a prize, a dream that you head for, that anticipation is always exciting. When that was over, the mood was bad. I admit it, at the bottom of a drawer I hid a book about Hawaii which was when I started reading. But there is nothing wrong with not going for the good: we travel America: we visit California and even Alaska.

– What are your next travel plans now?

– Another trip to Guatemala. South America is likely to be one of the most accessible travel destinations in the near future.