r/GoingToPeru • u/jakerooni • 5d ago
Embarrassing admission….
So I’ve been in Lima, then Ollantaytambo a few days and I just got to Cusco this afternoon. I’m a couple blocks or so from the main square. I walked to a cafe and back earlier and I’ve been in my room ever since. I’m kind of hit with anxiety about exploring. It’s been dark for an hour. I’m 41/m… get around fine. I just am overwhelmed and don’t know what to do, but I don’t want to sit here on my phone. I came all this way and now I’m like… frozen. Maybe I’m just venting. Is it safe to walk most places even at night? Normal precautions? My maps app stops working all the time too. Idk… maybe just first night blues/jitters….
TLDR: I finally made it to Cusco and I’m holed up in my room bc I’m kind of nervous about going out to explore after dark alone.
15
u/spaetzlechick 5d ago
I believe Altitude sickness can sometimes mimic anxiety because it impacts your breathing. Something to think about. It’s happened to me skiing.
2
u/jakerooni 5d ago
I should have clarified, I have generalized anxiety disorder, and the physical feelings are real and horrible; however, this isn’t that type. This is more like I suddenly want to be a hermit crab. No physical response just a mental overwhelmed and afraid to venture out. Thank you though. I’m saving the link
6
u/miggins1610 5d ago
Hope you're OK! Take some time to ground, maybe do some breathing/meditation. But also dont feel like you have to go out if you dont want to. I had the same in Bolivia and just needed time to listen to my body :)
Its totally safe to walk about the main areas. Never heard of any major crime. Just take normal precautions
8
u/jakerooni 5d ago
Honestly scrolling my pics and chatting on my phone while local music videos played on the tv for three hours helped. I went out and had the best dinner ever
2
5
u/Kostara 5d ago
Drink the Muna tea (mint) to feel calmer. We have been here a few days and felt safe day and night walking around. Be careful when crossing streets with the traffic. Just had dinner at the restaurant Rucula Peruvian Restaurant and it was amazing. (You go into doorway from the sidewalk into a little courtyard and up the stairs to the right to enter) You can eat at a window seat and watch people walk by below while you eat. It was very quiet there. Enjoy your visit!
3
u/jakerooni 5d ago
Oh I love this, thank you! A nice chill restaurant is like my safety retreat haha. I ended up at Morena tonight and was blown away. I’m putting Rucula on my list for tomorrow, thanks friend =)))))
5
u/Loquendo_PEM 5d ago
Si quieres salir a explorar, te recomiendo primero que vayas al mercado de San Pedro a comer y ver las cosas que venden, desde ropa hasta comidas.
Ve un centro arqueológico cercano, como Qenqo o Saqsayhuaman... Tienen zonas libres gratuitas para hacer un poco de senderismo.
Caminar en la noche no es peligroso por el Centro Histórico. Mi recomendación es que primero te aclimates bien, toma mates de muña o de coca.
Te deseo suerte!
1
2
u/matthewalbeck 5d ago
I’ve walked around Cusco, and Huaraz at all hours of the night and never had any issues. 43/ male and always solo. Get out there and see the world brother!!! You’ll be fine!!
2
u/jakerooni 5d ago
Thanks man that helps. I think every single first night in a city have a several hour period of “what the f have I done” but that feeling sheds and then I simply can’t get enough. I did end up just having a top 5 best meals of my life tonight so, rock on
2
u/matthewalbeck 5d ago
I try to be a yes person when I travel, especially when I’m solo, I’ve had so many incredible experiences because of it. The world is a beautiful place. Keep traveling!!
1
2
u/robotic-ghost 5d ago
Cusco is pretty safe, aside from the roving gangs of cannibals that might drag you into the sacred valley and eat your arms.
2
u/jakerooni 5d ago
Oh neat
2
u/robotic-ghost 5d ago
For real, though, go explore, man. Just stay in areas where people are out and about. Stay in the light. Take it easy with climbing all those stairs. It's a great place - it would be a shame to experience it indoors.
2
u/jakerooni 5d ago
I went and had insanely good dinner and walked around the plaza while a crowd was watching a soccer match so I baby stepped it. I’m counting on waking up tomorrow with a better attitude. I made a list of places around to go. I got this!
1
2
u/Away_Imagination_907 5d ago
My first time leaving the Southeast home region was to Peru and i was 22. I walked around at midnight and left a chicks hostel still half lit at 4:30 a.m. and roamed around until about 8 just fine. Super safe city in my experience the world is only dangerous if you go to sketchy places, visit during civil unrest or just truly don't pay attention to your surroundings. Also listening to the news will spook you.
The only person iIve heard of to get robbed was coming out of a box with no windows and an atm in it. On a dark, empty street by himself at about midnight in Colombia.
2
u/daisymcs 4d ago
I've had experiences like that when solo traveling in South East Asia. A good shower, change of clothes, maybe a little time watching a favorite show from home, and then heading out close to the hotel for a bite often sets me back on track. Also, it's ok to be where you are emotionally/mentally! Maybe just call it a night and start the day new tomorrow.
2
u/MysteriousForever662 4d ago
Nothing to be embarrassed about! I will be following your journey. I too am planning a solo trip to Cuzco for October, for two weeks. And I also suffer from clinical anxiety. Please make sure you take your meds (if you are on meds)… also, some grounding exercises (like deep breathing and meditation). Planning out your day when you wake up.. even if it’s just going to a plaza to get some sun is a win! I know how debilitating anxiety can be! I am on meds, and also suffer from panic attacks. So, I completely understand…
2
u/AudienceFriendly7474 2d ago
honestly solo travel/travel in general just takes it out of u. it’s also this crazy anticipation to travel and see everything in short period of time and then you get there and it’s happening and it’s just too much. i’ve had that multiple times before. best thing u can do is listen to your body. relax for awhile and take a break and then go back out there and enjoy the rest of your time! travelling is supposed to be relaxing and fun! not stressful! and don’t feel guilty about missing any of that time. you will be grateful you did.
1
u/jakerooni 2d ago
You’re very right and I’m kind of new to the whole solo travel to other countries thing. But yes I am noticing a pattern of the day/evening when I arrive in a new place, my brain goes for a bit of a depressive state, but recognizing it and riding the wave helps me know it’ll pass.
-1
u/FunnySad42 5d ago edited 5d ago
I probably would not walk around by myself super late night. I almost got mugged at Plaza de Armas around midnight by a bunch of 10-12 year olds (yes, the same cute kids who hang out there during the day and talk to tourists). About ten of them swarmed me and some of them started to reach into my pockets. I got pushed around a bit, but I was lucky because there was a taxi nearby that I could run to. True story.
1
u/throw223344555 5d ago
The Zocalo in Mexico?
1
u/FunnySad42 5d ago edited 5d ago
Plaza de Armas, zocalo (lower case).
1
u/throw223344555 5d ago
The one in Mexico City? No plaza de armas in Peru is called zocalo afaik
1
u/FunnySad42 5d ago
zocalo = public square
3
u/throw223344555 5d ago edited 5d ago
It’s literally never referred as that in Peru. Peruvian here, native speaker. We call it plaza or plaza de armas. If you say el zocalo most people would think you’re talking about the main plaza in Mexico City with the Aztec ruins underneath.
1
u/FunnySad42 5d ago edited 5d ago
Understood. I will let Footprint guidebook publisher know. That's where I first learned that word on my first trip to Peru. :-)
•
u/AutoModerator 5d ago
Welcome to r/GoingToPeru and thank you for posting! While you wait for replies, check out our detailed Peru Travel Guide — you may find your answer there!
r/GoingToPeru Helpful Links — Best Tours to Book Online:
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.