Thank you for bringing me down to earth. I presumed for many years I have been visiting Peru, (mostly Lima) that the main grocery store are Wong or Vandidades! Although previous visits my friend and his mother would take me to shop at a local market near Santa Anita roundabout in Lima - I loved the experience and it made me to love the people and country. Just like I was used to in the old days in England. How comfortable could I live on full VA benefits in Peru which is $2769 per month for 2? Thanks.

Well, after having visited Peru many times, last June I move here to Trujillo.....neighborhoods vary but in a good and decent area it is much like urban America fifty years ago.. except,, everyone is speaking Spanish........ha!....... There is mostly little shops, restaurants and owned by moms and pops so it is very personal moving in and out of the daily activities you might find yourself involved in.... You can visit malls too,, and they are pretty modern and not so common..... Dollars are easily exchanged for Soles.......at fair rates.... Some things are very less expensive for every day life,, that is,, rents, food, restaurants but if your want to get any electronics, or appliances you will find then equally or more expensive than the states... I have found 99.999999999 percent of the people I know AND complete stangers to be very friendly with no attitudes except for curiousity .... always offering a smile...information and friendliness..... Of course there are some things to adjust to but that took about a week,,, I would say quality of comfort and convenience is a fraction of typical States life but Quality of Life is not about comfort..... You will find Trujillo very livable, and I get along nicely speaking about twenty words in Spanish,, My suggestion is that you find a good neighborhood in Trujillo and find an apartment that suits you... Your probably not driving or owning a car for a while so an important issue would be to locate within walking distance to a good grocery or supermarket...from this kind of base of operation you can extend yourself in time in ever increasing circles outward getting to know places and things in the city locale........... Taxis are abundant and not expensive to get around.... Really,, it woudn't be so long before you would think of yourself At Home here in Trujillo...... Well, that was really informative.

It is obvious to me that you are very intelligent and educated, but it seems as if you are caught in the ex-pat trap on the male side of Machismo culture. You seem to rail at your own situation, which begs the question, why do you tolerate it? I would truly like to have a conversation with you and invite your reply at k.norton61@yahoo.com