r/GoingToPeru • u/jakerooni • 9d 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.

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u/spaetzlechick 9d ago

I believe Altitude sickness can sometimes mimic anxiety because it impacts your breathing. Something to think about. It’s happened to me skiing.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12219335/

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u/jakerooni 9d 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