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Background: Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government; his presidency has been hampered by allegations of corruption.

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By BeccaOwen
July 28th 2006

Latest update!

South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto

Street Entertainment

Sophie and Paul come to visit As it is currently the local Patron Saint Festival (which goes on for about 2 weeks we think although I am not sure many of the locals are too sure either!), we went for dinner and then straight to Rach´s local bar for drinks - the local drink which involves a lot of sugar, a lot of alcohol, an egg and I think that is it, known as Pisco Sour. Very nice! We then were lucky enough to enjoy some great street entertainment, a little random but the whole of Tarapoto appeared to grind to [View Full Entry]

By BeccaOwen
July 24th 2006

The tiger!!

South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto

Gorg little Tiger!

The Tiger! Phillipo, the Italian, brought this little tigre. She is 1 month old here and in about 1 month you will no longer be able to hold her as obviously she will be too dangerous when she plays - as you can see from the photos she is already having a good chew! In an attempt to give this little one a better life Phillipo bought her for a mere 200 soles, so about 40 pounds. Once she is a bit bigger he will release her into the wild. His family own, alongside their incredible house out here which is [View Full Entry]

By BeccaOwen
July 19th 2006

The orphanage

South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto

My favorite little boy!
this is the gorgeous 2 year old Greyer, who still doesn´t speak but is incredibly independent when it comes to food, but loves crawling all over me!!

So I work in the orphanage in the mornings, helping the psychologist and then I go off and play in the various different houses that the kids live in, of which there are 6. The kids are lovely as are all the staff that work there. But they just love having kisses and cuddles, I am teaching them Snap! and they love singing ´If your happy and you know it clap your hands! ´ There are about 40 children here and they are very well cared for - however on my return to the UK Rach and I plan to do [View Full Entry]

By BeccaOwen
July 12th 2006

Tarapto, my second home!

South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto

Rach and Chello on his 30th b-day!
Party evening chez Chello - consisted of badly cooked pasta by the Italian and lots of rum!

Been here 2 weeks now, time is flying by! Very briefly a few explanations about the photos! Chello´s 30th B-day Dinner at Chello´s of pasta very badly cooked by an Italian who claimed he could cook and refused to have any help! Much rum and the tarantula incident…Chello (the boyfirends) house is quite jungly with the kitchen all outside & is surrounded my the jungle and by the river, very chilled and lovely. So we are busy cooking. He has these cute cats to keep away the rats, etc. and they were playing round our feet. I then felt this big [View Full Entry]

By BeccaOwen
July 2nd 2006

First few days in Tarapoto, Peru

South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto

View from Rachel´s flat
View over Tarapoto - this is the view from the flat! It is jungle as far as the eye can see!

So I have started to settle in to life here in Peru, got my body clock sort of sorted out! Tarapoto is known as a jungle town and has really only become a safe place to be in the last 3 years. You can see how fast it is developing as it is only within the last year Rach has been here that cars have really appeared on the road - its all motorcycle taxis and motorbikes. Roads are mostly dirt tracks really, but they are trying to get concrete on them as quickly as possible. Food is as cheap as [View Full Entry]

By BeccaOwen
June 29th 2006

I have landed in Tarapoto!

South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto

Landed safe and sound in Tarapoto Well, after long time traveling (about 36hrs in the end!), limited sleep and some mild jet lag I landed in Tarapoto and was greeted with big hug from darling Rachel! Quick tour of her flat - it has no windows but an amazing view over the steel roofed houses and out to the jungle - and then out for lunch. Raw fish! and yes, i am a picky eater but i loved it! It is bank holiday Thurday and Friday so it is all quite calm in town, planning on a wee nap now [View Full Entry]

By quilla
January 10th 2006

Tarapoto

South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto

een dames wc in Tarapoto

Vandaag de jungle uitgevlogen, naar Tarapoto. Weg van al dat onkruid! Tarapoto ligt in de andes gebergte en is een heel rustig stadje vergeleken met Iquitos. Vanavond ook mn eerste panfluit muziek gehoord... in de plaatselijke apotheek Inkafarma. [View Full Entry]

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