Today is our last day in South America! I am a bit hungover! We joined Oli and Sas for a McDonald's lunch and u had an afternoon nap before sharing a can with them to the airport in the evening.

I want to try to summarise my experience of South America:

PERU

Peru was my favourite country of the 3. Our tour was very intense and left little time for us to relax, but the uniqueness of our excursions; the inca trail, dune bashing, hot springs and south more made it unforgettable.

Peru is developing in that areas of Lima were just like London but there were also still shanty towns. There are stray dogs everywhere. Driving is unruly and there is never a minute where you don't hear a hundred car horns. I was worried about crime in Peru but found out that there was no need to worry, although remaining aware probably helped. Peruvians are friendly and had a small amount of English which helped. They are dark of skin and VERY SHORT! Despite the growing economy, Peruvians have remained community minded unlike us individualists in the UK. Children would play in plazas even at night with parents telling off other people children quite happily!

Despite the strong Catholic presence, the people believe in Pacha Muma (mother earth) and their catholic belief is completely mixed up with a belief in Pacha Muma, and they have lots of wierd traditions and festivals consequently.

Peruvian food is good! They don't really eat spicey food and they have some signature dishes like Lomo Saltaldo which is Alpacha mixed with chips and onions and peppers with a side of rice, Cicha which is a corn based beer and lots of soup!

Peru is well set up for tourism, but be prepared to drink bottled water and pay every time you go to the toilet, which is usually a dirty hole in the ground!

Peruvians hate the Spanish but love football! They are proud of their traditions and inca heritage and you will often see older ladies in traditional dress with long black plats, a bowler hat and vet colourful clothing!

The last thing ill mention about Peru is its amazing georgraphy! Peru has everything; beaches, fields, mountains, snow, desert, rain Forrest, rivers and so much more! I really enjoyed visiting it in the rainy season which even though is risky, the flora and fawna was lush! I would go back to Peru!

BOLIVIA

Bolivia felt very different to Peru. It felt somehow darker.

People still look exactly the same as Peruvians but Hernan says their accents are quite different. Older generations still wear traditional dress, but I found that most Bolivians weren't interested in 'gringos' and came across quite rude.

They are a much more superstitious people with their witch markets and spells. They also seem poorer and there seemed to be a much higher percentage of the population dependant on alcohol. They also have litter everywhere! Not quite on par with India, but it is pretty bad. On the plus side, everything was really cheap for us!

Bolivia was good in the sense that I don't think I quite comprehended how beautiful and diverse their geography was!! The salt flats, the volcanos, the mountains, the lagoons, the bizarre rock formations and geysers made Bolivia quite breath taking!

CHILE

Chile is very different to Peru and Bolivia. All of the roads are tarmacked for a start! The people are much fairer in skin colour and they are much more varied: some tall, some short, some fat, some thin, some black haired, some blonde haired...much more like the UK. I have found Chileans to be very rude to the point that I don't feel welcome here. Everything is massively expensive which had been a bit of a blow for our budget.

Despite everywhere being developed, people come across as uneducated and they really spoil their children, there are a lot of overweight children!

I have found there isn't a lot to do in north Chile, we haven't even found a cinema in Santiago!

Fashion is not big here despite the wealth and it is rare to see someone 'beautiful'.

I have not enjoyed chile and do not plan on returning until Garth can afford to take me to Antarctica!

OVERALL

Overall I've loved visiting south America. I would come again. I think it's safe and easy to travel on your own, so long as you can speak a bit of Spanish.

I have not enjoyed putting toilet role in bins rather than in the toilet, but I have enjoyed the weather, the culture and the breathtaking landscapes.

I can't wait to one say visit Brasil and Argentina!