Birth control?

Tom

P.S. I also have teenage (or formerly teenage) daughters, as well as three younger sisters, and remember what it was like to be a teenager.

I'm not a parent but I think Karls post "MAY" have been appropriate if he had taken a moment to explain rather than post a very simple and harsh sounding three words.


EDIT.. but I also know nothing about Paddy's daughter, nor his parenting skills.

You presume to know an awful lot about my daughter, and even more about our parenting skills.
Just goes to show you know absolutely nothing at all. So I would kindly ask you to sod off, unless you have anything productive to add. For what it's worth (and I don't even know why I have to expalin myself) she's already had "the talk" as has our 12 year old. Basically their reaction was one of humour and disgust. I'm pretty sure I know my daughter well enough to know she just isn't interested in engaging in such encounters yet. Also knowing the host family as well as we do, they will be chaperoned at all times during the trip.

__________________
Stealing jokes off the internet and passing them off as my own since 1995

whoa...touchy Brits here. I'm outta this thread.

Good. Make sure the door doesn't hit your arse on the way out.

Now, can we get back to some practical advice and suggestions about visiting Peru?

again I'm not a parent, nor have I been to Peru... but following on from Karl's post

pepper spray.. I've heard those bugs in the jungle can carry off small childen'

I can confirm that PaddyG is a great parent. He has a PS3 with lots of games and lets his children play.



*decides not to post a picture of 'Spiderman in Peru'......


cheers
SC

My own bias is: Any parent who owns and plays with a PS3 is probably more in touch with their kids and their age related concerns.

I don't think you should worry too much. The better-off sections of Lima are very nice - clean, regular police patrols etc. - with stores and supermarkets like you would find in a good neighborhood of a US city. It seems pretty clear that the parents/family of the girl who invited your daughter are well-off by Peruvian standards and will take very good care of your daughter. Chances are good that they live in some kind of gated community and the hotel in the Amazon will probably be fantastically wonderful. If you haven't been to Peru, it is easy to be very nervous and it is true that there are some things to be nervous about as a regular traveler. Your daughter will be accompanied by a local family who is familiar with the country and any potential risks. I think your daughter is going to have a wonderful adventure. It is great that she's allowed to go.

Nevertheless, if she is going to the Amazon, some precautions might be called for. There is lots of information here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.htm.

And one last precaution: make sure your daughter has the contact information of your embassy. You can also register your daughter with your local embassy in Lima, which can speed up things should anything go wrong.

Personally, I am very excited for your daughter. Having traveled a bit at 14, I can imagine how much fun she is going to have.

Thank you Ziger, now that is the kind of information I'm looking for.

It's also useful for spicing up your food!

Tom

I'm sure teenage pregnancy happens here too

Yes Paddy's daughter probably does need that chat if it hasn't already happened but I don't see this as relevant to advice about Peru in particular.

Do you not think that it was a bit insensitive to point it out so bluntly when I'm sure Paddy and Mrs Paddy are already a bit nervous about being away from their daughter for a month?

There's a way of saying something and a way of saying something and Karl's short sentence was bound to upset.

Lima is nice, she must go to a Chifa restaurant, a wonderful mix of Cantonese and Peruvian cooking, the Cuy Cuy and Ceviche may take a bit of getting used to for a squeamish female teenager. But they have hundreds of jummy potatoes, some orange and red and yellow, some all three colors at once some look like they can slip between dimensions and are from alien planet, Tell her to keep of the Pisco ´cos a weapons grade hangover is for sure, some parts of Lima are very dangerous and she should trust her guides, don’t flash jewelry or Phones or watches, all in all as long as she has a dollop of common sense in her skull the risk is the same as anywhere else on the planet.
Lago Mar is a nice place for a teenager, it is a US style shopping center perched on a cliff and the view is mind blowing, the beggars can be a bit annoying but not more, Mira Flores, a bohemian part of town is just round the corner and a bit south along the coast is a Swiss restaurant. Of course the museums are worth visiting, the sea is great to swim although the baby head sized stones can be a bit uncomfortable, damn she will have herself some fun there.

Another point that came up; which passport should she use to travel. She already has her UK passport, but is also entitled to a Swiss one. Although she insists she wants to go on her UK, we both think it would be far more practical to travel on a Swiss passport and, if necessary, register with the Swiss embassy. We just think that in the case, God forbid, of a medical repatriation or something it would be the most sensible option.

You could sign up with the REGA thingy (I don't remember the exact figure, but I believe it's 120Chf)..and like that you're covered in terms of medical repatriation etc.


ps: I don't have kids and I don't want any ..but I understand your worries, and regardless, I urge you to relax Paddy, she'll be alright.

It's CHF 30 for a person, CHF 70 for a family (including children under 18).

Definitely get it if you don't already.

Tom

Thank heavens for small mercies. The world is not ready for LiB 2

It's Larcomar not Lago Mar.

Pendant, after downing a few Piscos it is anything you can slur.

And just a little throw in - if she's very fond of guinea pigs, well, you may want to let her know they're commonly eaten there....and that she should try it if she's not too upset or grossed out.

Culinary adventures are one of my favorite reasons to travel